Camping sites around Deerfield, Massachusetts range from 1,400 to 2,500 feet in elevation, creating varied camping experiences across the western Massachusetts mountain terrain. Most campgrounds in this region maintain operating seasons from mid-May through mid-October, with certain cabins and glamping accommodations remaining accessible slightly later into fall. Freezing temperatures typically arrive by late October, making weather preparation essential for autumn camping trips.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Country Aire Campgrounds offers direct access to the Deerfield River with convenient brook frontage for casual water activities. According to Joshua B., the campground is "seconds from the Deerfield river. The campground is well-maintained the staff is friendly. So it will back from the road with a little brook running through it."
Lake swimming: Woodford State Park Campground features a reservoir with designated swimming areas. The park includes separate swimming zones for different users. One camper noted, "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers."
Waterfall hiking: Savoy Mountain State Forest provides access to nearby Tannery Falls. One visitor reported, "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit." The surrounding forest offers additional trail networks ranging from easy lakeside paths to more challenging mountain routes.
Fishing access: Otter River State Forest offers multiple fishing spots with easy shoreline access. A camper shared, "The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground. If you drive they have a great breakfast place about two miles from the camp ground."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Erving State Forest Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities and shower buildings. According to one reviewer, "Bathrooms, including showers, are clean and checked a couple of times/day. I was here on a holiday weekend and it was quiet with a few vacant sites, unlike nearby Mohawk Trail that was packed."
Kid-friendly amenities: Country Aire Campgrounds offers numerous family activities. Jason A. noted, "This campground is family oriented. They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run buy a family business, wife and I've been here many times and we will keep coming back."
Wildlife viewing: Molly Stark State Park Campground offers opportunities to hear and see wildlife. One camper reported, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning." Another noted the surrounding nature trails provide excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife throughout the day.
Seasonal activities: Northampton/Springfield KOA offers special seasonal events, particularly during fall. According to Jason A., "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the Deerfield area have limited connectivity. A visitor to Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground warned, "Don't rely on gps to get you there it will put you on the wrong end of the park in the middle of a rural neighborhood. The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if your looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Bear awareness: Several campgrounds require proper food storage. At Savoy Mountain, "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country." However, one camper noted inconsistencies: "I question how serious they are about the bear problem because the dumpster was not at all secure."
Firewood considerations: Campground firewood quality varies significantly. At Peppermint Park Camping Resort, one camper reported, "Our only negative is the wood for sale is on the greener side so it takes a bit to get it going. We had the same issue 2 years ago and ended up buying lighter fluid from the store."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially for specialty accommodations. At Erving State Forest, "There are only 27 sites, but in 2020 many of the ones served by composting toilets are closed. You need reservations in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Northampton/Springfield KOA offers numerous family-oriented amenities. A satisfied camper shared, "I recommend if you're in the area to stop here and spend some time with Michael and his staff. There are plenty activities for everybody. They have a fire truck ride that brings you around the campsite and hay-less rides. There is a pool there is a playground there are games of all ages."
Kid-friendly swimming: Woodford State Park provides safe swimming options for families with children. A visitor mentioned, "There's a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore."
Budget considerations: State parks generally offer lower rates than private campgrounds. At Erving State Forest, "Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters." This price difference applies to most state-operated campgrounds in the region.
Campsite selection: For families seeking privacy, outer loop sites often provide more seclusion. At Molly Stark State Park, one camper advised, "We booked last month and stayed in the middle of the campground. The outer ring sites on the map have the most seclusion."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Ashuelot River Campground provides good RV access but requires careful navigation. One camper warned, "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru. Some of the turns aren't so friendly either, we weren't going to be able to make the right into pine st so it took a bit to find an area to turn around."
Power options: Many campgrounds offer various electrical hookup options. Ashuelot River provides "water and 30amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups." This variety allows RVers to choose sites based on their specific power needs.
Site spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, Lisa D. reported, "Although we had requested a specific site on the KOA website, the gentleman in the front office had arranged for us to park in an easily accessible pull-through site, right at the entrance. We really didn't want that particular site, and although he advised against the tricky back-in site 'up on the hill' that we had originally selected, we thought we would at least give it a shot!"
Seasonal considerations: For those seeking glamping in Deerfield, Massachusetts during peak seasons, advance planning is essential. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, premium sites fill quickly during fall foliage season, with luxury glamping accommodations booking 3-4 months in advance.
