Camping in the Berkshire Mountains around Lanesborough, Massachusetts offers access to elevations reaching 3,491 feet at nearby Mount Greylock. The camping season generally runs May through October with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests and abundant water features throughout the camping areas.
What to do
Paddle the local ponds: Cherry Plain State Park Campground features a swimming beach and calm waters perfect for kayaking. A camper noted, "We had a torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there" but still enjoyed the water features when weather permitted.
Hike the summit trails: Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation offers excellent hiking opportunities with varied trail difficulty. "The hike up to the summit wasn't too far from the camp sites, probably took us about a half hour at a brisk pace," reports one visitor who enjoyed the mountain terrain.
Visit local attractions: Located near North Adams, Historic Valley Campground provides easy access to cultural sites. "You're about a five minute drive to mass moca or a 20-30 minute walk," explains a camper who stayed during the Wilco solid sound festival.
What campers like
Bear-safe camping: Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground provides bear boxes at every site, which campers appreciate. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain," one visitor mentioned, adding that they had "a sighting in our neighboring site."
Privacy between sites: Fernwood Forest Campground offers sites with good separation. A reviewer stated, "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements."
Clean facilities: The bathhouses at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park receive consistent praise from campers. "The bath house was incredibly clean. Showers were great," mentioned one visitor who appreciated the maintenance standards at this campsite near Lanesborough, Massachusetts.
What you should know
Site terrain varies significantly: October Mountain State Forest Campground has three distinct camping sections on different tiers. A camper explained, "The campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal coverage. At Savoy Mountain State Forest, a camper reported, "I had a flicking bar of coverage at the high point of the campground on Verizon, but all you MIGHT be able to do is text."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have ambient noise sources. At October Mountain, "There is a power station nearby that offers a constant hum," and during weekdays "there are trucks going in and out before 7am."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation amenities: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills offers family-friendly activities. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast. They also had a community 'Father's Day' breakfast (fathers ate free!) which was open to all and yummy!"
Choose sites near water features: Pittsfield State Forest Campground has a swimming area that kids enjoy. A camper mentioned, "The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom."
Reserve group sites for family gatherings: Some campgrounds offer dedicated areas for larger parties. One visitor to Pittsfield State Forest noted, "We reserved a groupsite down by a stream and pond. It had a large common area surrounded by little pockets which made great tent sites."
Tips from RVers
Check site accessibility: Many Berkshire campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline."
Verify hookup locations: Hookup placement can vary significantly between campgrounds. At Historic Valley Campground, an RVer warned, "One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups."
Leveling challenges: Sites at Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites may require equipment for leveling. One camper noted, "I could have used leveling blocks because it was hard to find a great spot that was level side to side."
