Camping options near Feeding Hills span across both Massachusetts and Connecticut borders, with most sites within a 20-30 mile radius. The area sits at approximately 200 feet above sea level in the Connecticut River Valley, creating moderate temperatures from late spring through early fall. Most campgrounds in this region report heavier usage on summer weekends when daytime temperatures average 80-85°F.
What to do
Swimming and fishing opportunities: At Prospect Mountain Campground, visitors can fish in the on-site pond or enjoy the swimming pool. As one camper noted, "We liked this campground a lot! Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!"
Hiking on connected trails: The Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest offers direct access to the Farmington River and multiple hiking paths. According to a visitor, "Not a negative against the camp site but bring your bug spray! Bugs and ticks abound but it's nature. What else do you expect:) The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great."
Weekend activities for families: Campgrounds frequently schedule structured events during peak season. A Northampton/Springfield KOA visitor reported, "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 campers like
Secluded tent sites: Wilderness Lake Park offers tent campers more privacy than many commercial campgrounds. A camper explained, "While this is about 60% RVs, the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring."
Free water activities: Several campgrounds provide complimentary water recreation options. As one Wilderness Lake visitor mentioned, "Quaint little campground. Not many tenting sites but along a beautiful lake. Pets allowed... Bring your own kayaks or use the campgrounds free of charge."
Spacious sites for larger groups: White Pines Campsites accommodates group camping effectively. According to one reviewer, "We camped here with a group of friends - about a dozen in all. It was easy to coordinate with the staff to get a few tent sites and a cabin in close distance. Campsites were a bit minimal, and amenities were OK."
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Not all sites offer the same quality or privacy. At Granville State Forest, one camper warned, "The problem is you can't trust the scale of the camp map online. We thought we had booked the most secluded site only to find that the sites are about 15 feet from each other."
Military-only options: For service members, Westover ARB Military FamCamp provides year-round camping with special rates. A reviewer clarified, "Located on Westover RAFB for active duty, retired and DAV. Sites are water/electric but some are 30 amp, others are 50 amp. Winter rate is $14/day $84/week, Summer rate is $23/day $140/week."
Reservation requirements: Small private campgrounds like Black Rabbit Farm offer limited availability with only three sites total. Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially on weekends, with most full hookup sites claimed by seasonal campers first.
Tips for camping with families
Playground and pool access: Family-oriented facilities make a significant difference for parents. A camper at Prospect Mountain noted, "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Bathroom proximity: Consider the distance to facilities when booking with children. One visitor to The Quarry Campground highlighted their amenities: "Let me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you're traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point."
Weekend programming: Many campgrounds schedule family-oriented activities during peak season. A Northampton/Springfield KOA guest shared, "I've gone here 3 times in 2 years and my kids love it can't wait to go back I hear they built a mini golf course."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites carefully as many RV areas lack separation. A reviewer at White Pines mentioned, "We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site. A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped - I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds classify hookups differently. One camper at The Quarry Campground explained, "They advertise full hu but turns out to be a lie when you pull in... all full hi is given to seasonal customers. We did receive a pull thru with 50/30/20 and water and that was about it."
Off-season advantages: Camping outside peak summer months offers quieter experiences. A KOA visitor reported, "I'm more of a quite, in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of camper, so I tend to shy away from commercial campgrounds, but it was easier for me to commute from the KOA than from home when work was crazy because of COVID and I stayed for a few months- July til October."
