Taconic State Park and the surrounding region offer diverse camping options at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 feet in the Berkshire foothills. October through May temperatures often drop below freezing at night, requiring proper cold-weather gear even in early summer. Several campgrounds provide tent platforms that keep campers off potentially wet ground during the region's frequent summer thunderstorms.
What to Do
Hiking with waterfall views: Access multiple hiking trails directly from October Mountain State Forest Campground. "Beautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October. Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!" according to Cheryl B.
Pond fishing: Many local campgrounds offer fishing opportunities with no license required when fishing from campground property. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around," reports Megin F. Most stocked ponds contain bass, sunfish and trout.
Seasonal activities: Fall foliage viewing peaks in mid-October, making autumn camping particularly popular. "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through," notes Jason A. about the Northampton/Springfield area campgrounds.
What Campers Like
Platform tent sites: Wooden platforms at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provide flat, dry surfaces for tent setup. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring," says Rosie R. These platforms measure approximately 12x14 feet, accommodating most family tents.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers at many campgrounds receive regular maintenance. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14) which was when we were there," reports Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with docks and designated beach zones. "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock. Close to great hiking," notes Emily F. about Taconic State Park. Most swimming areas are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through mid-October. "Being some of the first people to hit a campground like this one early in the season certainly has its benefits. For one, the bathrooms are cleeean as hail," explains Kiye A. about visiting in late May. Shoulder season camping offers fewer crowds but potentially colder temperatures.
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary widely, with some offering more privacy than others. At Waubeeka Family Campground, "The tent area is a small dirt cul-de-sac off to the side between some trailers and the bathrooms. Honestly not terrible though as behind is all woods and when you are in that section you do have an OK level of isolation and natural surroundings," explains Frank D.
Weekend crowds: Proximity to urban areas means busier weekends. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends. I'd avoid weekends. Not all, but some other campers were less than considerate of others," advises John E.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific family-focused features. "Prospect 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," recommends Sandra S.
Swimming areas with supervision: Lifeguarded swimming is available at several locations. "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," notes Erin B. about the water features at Taconic State Park. Most lifeguarded areas operate from 10am to 6pm daily during summer.
Free water activities: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides complimentary equipment for water recreation. "They have a pond for swimming and softball field. They allow late check-ins!" according to Jennie. Many campgrounds in the Great Barrington area offer similar amenities for families seeking yurt camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites (water, electric, sewer) are limited and should be reserved well in advance. "There is a large field for seasonal and large RVs to small wooded sites for tents. Be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies," warns Natalie N. about White Pines Campsites.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous Berkshire region have sloping sites. "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are," observes Ray P. about Spacious Skies Woodland Hills. Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended, especially for larger RVs.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. "When we got to our spot, it was covered in hundreds and hundreds of nails and broken glass. Maintenance ended up having to get a shovel to get most of the nails up," reports Kristen L. about her experience, highlighting the importance of inspecting your site upon arrival.
