The best camping near
Hampden, MASSACHUSETTS

Friendly clean

General Notes: 

We had a nice time overall  this place is A quirky little campground that feels like an X-Files Location.  

This is a smallish campground which is divided into two sections: RV (lower area near entrance) and Tent (upper area).  However, there are tents allowed in the RV section as well.   RV area is wide open with no privacy and Tent area is more wooded with more privacy.  All sites are very close to one another.  

We stayed at site 37 in the upper tent area. 

Pros:

1.Nice  & helpful staff

2.Very clean bathrooms with very clean shower

3. Access to stunning hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail

Cons:

1. Several of the upper area tent sites are basically on a ramp.  It was almost comical how slanted the site(s) was.  Things would slide off the picnic table often and we tried to level the table but then our feet could barely touch the ground when sitting - adorably comical. 

2. In other reviews, you will read about the hum from power station which is directly across the street from the site … it's real.   We had it less at site 37 than the lower sites. 

3. There would also be a train that would pass by - trains can be charming but this one seemed to stop often near by and rev it's engine for about an hour … it was very strange. 

4. You may see in another review (which I think is no longer up now?) that there are a fair amount of Daddy Long Legs.   There are.   A lot.  We know that bugs are a part of camping, absolutely  … but this was almost boarding on, well  …  an X-Files episode.  They are  e v e r y w h e r e.   Some standing guard as if they want to stay out you way.  Others rushing around as if they are trying to get home because they realized they left the gas on.   We always are mindful of our tent zippers and so we had no visitors inside our tent … but they were very abundant.

We went two years in a row each on Halloween! They had great amenities and activities for the kids. Plus a costume contest and tricker treating. Very enjoyable time. Hope to go back again.

One of our favorites in New England!

The staff is super nice, the sites aren't on top of each other, but close enough to say hi to you neighbors in the morning.

My only complaint was the lack of shade where we were, but everything else was great.

Owner does an amazing job at keeping this campground looking it’s best. Many major upgrades within the past couple of years. Electric has been revamped, sewer has been upgraded to accommodate full service hook-up to each site, and they recently renovated the laundry. Brand new dryers as well. The manager is quick to help if there are any issues and is always very accommodating. Great family campground with activities for the kids. Definitely a must see!

We’ve visited Fernwood Forest Campground twice and have been impressed with it both times. Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet. Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area. We’ll certainly go again the future.

They allow 2 cars per site. Kept very clean. Swimming area. Great for kayaking and fishing. We camp in our tent. They do allow RVs. Tons of hiking trails. Picnic tables and fire pit at each site. The folks a few miles down the road by the rotary sell giant piles of wood for $10. They do not have an on site store or sell firewood. So bring your own things. Simple but very nice.

General Notes:

After a long day we  did a virtual version of throwing a dart at map to head out and do an overnight camping trip.   Our dart landed on Erving and we literally had never heard of it … so we were … skeptical.   However, we were absolutely delighted by this great spot in the  beautiful Erving State Forest.  

Pros / Cons:  

This is a very small campground with only 27 sites and only 13 sites open during the 2020 / Covid Season. 

Situated by a beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails. 

Although you have good privacy to your left and right - you are not far from your  camping neighbors across the way … and we quickly learned the names of their small children as parents yelled their names almost constantly.   

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. 

All pros outweigh the cons.  We'll definitely be returning to this small hidden gem which is also situated by a lovely lake and has fantastic hiking trails.

This campground is fantastic. This is the cleanest campground I have visited. Everyone is very friendly and helpful and there are lots of activities plus food trucks. If you have a boat, you can rent a dock slip too. We love it here!

Friends told me about this little gem in north central Massachusetts, not far from Rt 2. 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. There's a separate boat launch at the far end of the road from the beach.

There are only 27 sites, but in 2020 many of the ones served by composting toilets are closed. You need reservations in advance. Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters.

Campsites are laid out in a linear fashion along a one-way road that leaves from the parking area. It's a bit of an uphill hike from the beach to the campsites. Sites are large, wooded, generally level. It was quiet with a lot of families. I took site pictures, but for the closed sites, the numbers were not posted.

Download your maps for offline use! Cell connection was horrible heading up here.