Otter River State Forest
Highly Recommend
Great place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
162 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Florida, Massachusetts spans tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals across the Berkshire Mountains. Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, situated near the Hoosac Range, provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with both wooded and open sites. Other nearby options include Mohawk Trail State Forest, about 10 miles west, and Mount Greylock State Reservation to the north. The region's developed facilities predominantly accommodate tent and RV camping, though some locations offer cabins or yurts for those seeking additional comfort in this mountainous setting.
Road access to campgrounds in the area requires careful navigation, as GPS directions can be unreliable on mountain roads. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October due to harsh Berkshire winters. Facilities like Savoy Mountain State Forest maintain clean bathrooms with limited shower facilities, and many sites include bear boxes for food storage as black bears are common in the region. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area, making advance planning essential. A visitor noted, "This campground is hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Campers particularly value riverside sites at Mohawk Trail State Forest, where the sound of rushing water adds to the setting. The area features multiple hiking opportunities, including access to portions of the Appalachian Trail and paths around Mount Greylock, Massachusetts' highest peak. Sites on the periphery of campgrounds typically offer more privacy and tree cover than central locations. According to one review, "Many of the sites on the periphery of the campground are wooded and somewhat secluded, with 1-3 being the most secluded." Swimming opportunities exist at locations like North Pond in Savoy Mountain State Forest, though some visitors report variable water quality at certain swimming areas throughout the region.
"Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
"Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"
from $40 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby (vincinity camping allowed)."
"The site was clean, dry, and a nice walk off the main trail. The staff was friendly as well. We hikes around during the days and saw some spectacular views."
from $8 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Quiet, great fire pits, clean bathrooms, firewood and starter for sale plus access to day use area. The lake next to the campground is beautiful and has plenty of picnic tables and grills for use."
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"This state forest campground offers large sites, some of them on a grassy open area or tucked into the woods."
"We camp with a pop up and reserved site 11, the orientation of the site did not work and we switched to site 10. 10 & 11 are connected by a path, good for people traveling in a group."
from $17 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The park and the campground feel quite secluded for the location - very close to North Adams and other towns in that part of the Berkshires. The pond and the hiking trail around it are beautiful. "
"Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This campground is just off of Rt2 in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts. The campground is well kept, and quiet but the sites are very close together."
"This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass."
from $17 - $75 / night
Check Availability"The bathrooms are clean, the campground has a cool lake front, and you’re about a five minute drive to mass moca or a 20-30 minute walk. Looking forward to fresh grass 2021."
"Camping here gives you a small lake and plenty of woodland surrounding you and since of peace. Bathrooms are clean but definitely a moisture issue. Staff is very helpful, Friendly but overworked."
"There are quite a few hiking trails that are located just a short drive away from the site."
"We enjoyed a fun day at Mount Snow which is close by with restaurants and things to do in that area, as well as the fun town of Brattleboro in the other direction which is always a great place to visit"
"Pros:
- ****Location is excellent It's right on the Mohawk Trail, Rt 2 in northwestern Massachusetts."
"Sites are close by with little to no shade. This is a great spot for relaxing by a fire with the river to keep you zen. Great for tubing and kayaking. The owners were nice in my experience."
"Great little campground close to Albany. We needed a place to stop for the night but could have stayed all weekend. There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in."
"It is a really cute little campground with a pond and surrounded by small mountains/hills covered in trees. We had a full hookup site and everything worked well."
from $41 - $57 / night
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Great place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
Pros- easy on off of the interstate. Very nice people! Nicely kept grounds. Cool camp store. Nice playground and green space. Scenic small river runs along the back of the property. Beautiful surrounding area!
Cons- swimming isn't allowed in the river! It's crystal clear and deep in spots right next to camp sites. Crushing blow that we couldn't play in it. Sites pretty tight. Moderate highway noise. Only full hookup sites are up by the highway without any nature to speak of.
If you are like us and want to play in the creek, drive or walk a half a mile up the road and take a little path right before the low bridge. Great swimming hole in some of the clearest water I have ever seen.
I originally was scheduled to be working the whole weekend but ended up getting the time off and rushed to somewhere I could camp on the fourth. I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth. I left on the 6th and it does seem that there’s a continuous flow of people in and out of the sites but for the most part it’s quiet and you can’t hear your neighbors. Law enforcement does drive by about once or twice a day which is nice. There is probably 4-5 usable sites. There are a few spots that someone could back a trailer into but I drive a hatchback so take that information as you will. It also looks to be that there are at least 2-3 sites that have become overgrown unclear if they are official sites or just large pull offs. Be wary in a small car that many of the entrances to the sites are either muddy and deeply rutted or a combination of steep and rutted out. Great place would definitely come back in the fall
Overall, it was fairly quiet, considering it was the Fourth of July there were somebody in the parking lot set off a couple of small fireworks, but it was a quick woo hoo. There are some run down trailers and some trash sadly. :( please pack it in pack it out! And Patronage to the distillery who provides this free parking. Lots of vehicles in/ out during the day. Great hike to fire tower. Lots of bugs (horseflies, knots and mosquitoes) no shade so be prepared if it’s hot. Hogback Mt gift shop and museum across street must stop. Trailhead for fire tower next to distillery.
Adjacent to Green Mtn National Forest, situated in a beautiful meadow with dozens of apple trees, visited by wild animals of every kind, wild berries, giant fire pit & walking distance to swimming hole in river, beer shop, pizza shop, coffee shop, restaurant, cannabis dispensary, bike shop, kayak/paddle board shop, ski and snowboard shop, general store, fuel stop… but in sight of none of it! Beautiful sunsets and sunrises with wide open southern sky, stretching to both the east and west!
I called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
9/10 Have to cart everything to site but everything else good
Just about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes. As far as I can tell about 10 different sites, maybe more, all spaced out enough you don’t see anyone else. No toilet or water but there is a fire ring.
This year we returned to Clarksburg state park, and again, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Plenty of families stayed during the weekend, but the site never fails to give the isolation needed from the noise.
Camping spots near Florida, Massachusetts sit at some of the highest elevations in the state, with the surrounding Berkshire Mountains reaching over 3,000 feet. The region experiences more significant temperature fluctuations than lower-lying areas, with summer temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby valleys. Campgrounds in this region typically operate from late May through mid-October, with mid-September offering peak fall foliage viewing opportunities.
Swimming in mountain ponds: At Clarksburg State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming in a cool pond surrounded by forested hillsides. One camper noted, "The day use area is very nice with grass, shade and beach and swim area though it is a bit too far to walk especially with littles so be ready to drive over there."
Fishing for trout: Pine Hollow Campground offers a stocked fishing pond for anglers of all skill levels. A visitor mentioned, "There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in. The sites are all set up around the pond. We put our trailer sideways and faced the pond."
Kayaking on mountain lakes: Several campgrounds provide boat launches for non-motorized watercraft, allowing visitors to explore peaceful mountain waters. As one camper at Woodford State Park described, "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers."
Riverside camping: Sites along the Deerfield River are highly sought after for their proximity to water. A visitor at Mohawk Park Campground shared, "Tent sites are located right on the Deerfield River... literally. It is so relaxing to wake up to the sound of the river and you can even head to a local park and tube down the river right back to your site!"
Mount Greylock access: The highest peak in Massachusetts draws many campers to the region. A visitor at Sperry Road Campground commented, "The hike in was a fairly easy 1.3 to the campground. The sites were huge and spread out. Although we could kind of see our neighbors if we tried, we were far enough away that we weren't looking at them all weekend."
Wildlife sightings: The forested settings offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. A camper at Woodford State Park noted, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning. We're going back later this summer for a longer stay."
Bear precautions: Black bears are common throughout the Florida, Massachusetts region. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes at each site. One camper at Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground advised, "This campground is peaceful and has sites that are well spaced. There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the near lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually non-existent at many campgrounds in the area. A visitor at Savoy Mountain State Forest commented, "The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Navigational challenges: GPS directions are often unreliable in this mountainous region. According to one camper, "Google Maps will often take you down a bumpy dirt road….stick to Rt 2 as long as possible if you're coming from that direction!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best beaches in Florida for camping?
Florida's coastline offers exceptional beach camping experiences. Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg features waterfront sites with direct beach access, full hookups for RVs, and excellent fishing opportunities. On the Atlantic side, Anastasia State Park provides a pristine beach setting with sites nestled among maritime hammocks. For a more remote experience, Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys offers stunning waterfront camping with spectacular sunset views. St. George Island State Park combines beautiful Gulf beaches with spacious campsites. Most beach campgrounds require reservations well in advance, especially during winter months when demand peaks.
Where can I find free camping in Florida?
Florida offers several free camping opportunities in its national forests. The Ocala National Forest provides multiple dispersed camping areas where you can stay for up to 14 days at no cost. Similarly, Apalachicola National Forest has designated free camping zones away from developed areas. The Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida allows free backcountry camping with a required permit. For RVers, some Walmarts, Bass Pro Shops, and Cracker Barrels may allow overnight parking, though always ask permission first. Remember that free sites typically lack amenities like water, electricity, or restrooms, so come prepared with supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Are there primitive camping areas in Florida State Parks?
Yes, many Florida State Parks offer primitive camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience. Jonathan Dickinson State Park features remote sites along the Loxahatchee River accessible only by hiking, biking, or paddling. Myakka River State Park provides backcountry campsites reachable via a 6-mile trail. These primitive sites typically provide only basic amenities like a fire ring and perhaps a picnic table. Most require a permit obtained in advance through the park office or Reserve America. Pack in all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal bags. Wildlife encounters are common at primitive sites, so proper food storage is essential to prevent attracting animals.
When is the best time of year to camp in Florida?
The ideal camping season in Florida runs from October through April when temperatures are moderate and humidity is lower. Winter months (December-February) offer pleasant daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s°F with cooler evenings, perfect for campfires. This is considered peak season, especially in southern regions like the Keys and Everglades where conditions are ideal. Summer camping (May-September) brings challenges including high humidity, temperatures regularly above 90°F, frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and abundant mosquitoes. Fall camping (October-November) provides a sweet spot with decreasing humidity and fewer crowds as snowbirds haven't yet arrived. Spring (March-April) offers beautiful wildflowers but requires earlier reservations as many winter visitors are still present.
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