Western Massachusetts camping options blend woodland retreats with mountain scenery around Cummington. Elevation changes throughout the Berkshires create varied camping microclimates, with higher elevation sites experiencing temperature drops of 10-15 degrees compared to valley locations. Seasonal road closures affect access to several campgrounds, particularly after mid-October when freezing temperatures arrive.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Jamaica State Park Campground offers several trails with waterfall access. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," notes Chris D. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Swimming and boating options abound at Lake Taghkanic. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks. Worth every penny," shares Mellisa T. about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Nighttime stargazing: Several campgrounds offer excellent dark sky viewing. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," writes Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Fernwood Forest Campground offers well-spaced campsites. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet," notes Rebecca B. about Fernwood Forest Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Prospect Mountain Campground provides numerous recreational options. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar," explains Sandra S. about Prospect Mountain Campground.
Outdoor recreation options: Multiple recreational opportunities exist at local campgrounds. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," shares Jackie G. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature significant hills and elevation changes. "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking. Our little ones had trouble going down the hills because of the loose gravel," explains Kim R. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer raised platforms for tent camping. "Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms. There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit," describes Katherine P. about Rudd Pond Area.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. "Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," reports Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Dedicated play areas provide entertainment for children. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," writes Fransheska A.
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple options exist for water recreation. "For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak. The bugs were not fun in the summer," shares Meike W.
Family gatherings: Some campgrounds accommodate group camping effectively. "We tent camped here with 2 other families in the summer of 2019. Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park," notes Salvatore P. about Woodmore Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campgrounds near Cummington, Massachusetts often require leveling equipment. "Sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines. There was a rain event the second to last evening we were there but the staff was quick to be sure the roads were repaired for check out," explains Becca A. about Camp Coldbrook.
Electrical system issues: Always check electrical systems before connecting. "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical. It's dangerous," warns Glenn M.
Site selection strategies: Request specific sites based on your RV needs. "I think its an ok place, they seem to really care about the campground but our site was like sitting in an open spot on display. Call them up and ask for their help choosing something that offers privacy," advises Todd M.
