Glamping in Hadley, Massachusetts places visitors in the Connecticut River Valley, where the elevation ranges from about 120 to 450 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers reaching into the 80s°F and cold winters dropping well below freezing. Fall camping season typically brings colorful foliage displays across the local maple, oak, and birch forests from mid-September through late October.
What to do
Seasonal activities: At Northampton/Springfield KOA, visitors can participate in scheduled events that change with the seasons. According to one visitor, "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through" during fall foliage season. Winter campers can explore nearby hiking trails with snowshoes.
Swimming options: Prospect Mountain Campground maintains a pool and swimming areas. One camper mentioned, "Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" The swimming areas provide a refreshing break during summer months when temperatures typically reach the mid-80s.
Hiking trails: October Mountain State Forest offers extensive trail systems for day hikers. "The trails in October Mountain State Forest are very pretty, with some grand vistas to pull over," notes one reviewer. Many trails connect directly to campgrounds, allowing for convenient access without driving.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Otter River State Forest receives consistent praise for maintenance. As one camper stated, "So clean, quiet, friendly staff, great trails and lots of exploring and lounging by the fire." Most state park facilities in the region are cleaned daily during peak season.
Privacy levels: Site selection matters at many campgrounds. At October Mountain, one camper advised, "Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40." Sites with more seclusion tend to book first, particularly during summer weekends.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Sunset View Farms creates environments where children can play safely. A reviewer noted, "Great location kids had a blast just wished they had more activities for them to do for the weekend." Many campgrounds in the area offer scheduled activities primarily on weekends.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping accommodations and premium sites require advance booking. At Wells State Park Campground, visitors should note, "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean!" Reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica for state parks.
Seasonal variation: Many campgrounds operate only from April through October. One camper at Erving State Forest noted, "There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine … but wished we knew ahead of time."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds vary in noise levels. A Country Aire Camp Ground visitor shared, "This place is very quiet even with all the kids." Meanwhile, at other locations, guests report mixed experiences with enforcing quiet hours after 10pm.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Campgrounds often schedule weekend events specifically for children. At Country Aire, one visitor mentioned, "They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor." Most activities take place on weekends, with fewer scheduled events midweek.
Playground access: Peppermint Park Camping Resort features "a pool, hot tub, newer playground with a sandbox, camp store with large lodge attached," according to a recent visitor. For families with young children, sites closer to playgrounds offer convenience while sites further away provide more quiet.
Water features: Several campgrounds offer swimming options beyond just pools. One Prospect Mountain visitor noted, "The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Northampton/Springfield KOA, one RVer mentioned, "We stayed here for one night en route to Cape Cod. 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." Calling ahead can help secure suitable sites.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites book quickly during peak season. A seasonal camper at Northampton/Springfield KOA shared, "I was in the seasonal section, which has some interesting folks staying there. The site was very nice and felt private." Most RV sites in the region offer 30/50 amp service with water and sewer.
Leveling considerations: Wells State Park presents challenges for some rigs. One camper noted, "Not all sites are level," while another mentioned a "steep, narrow driveway" at their assigned site. Research individual site details before booking when possible.
