Camping near Hancock, Massachusetts allows access to both the Berkshire Mountains and the surrounding state forests throughout elevations ranging from 800-3,000 feet. The region transitions between dense hardwood forest and open meadows with temperature swings that can drop 15-20 degrees at night even in summer. Most campgrounds operate on seasonal schedules with closures from mid-October through mid-May due to harsh New England winters and challenging road conditions.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground offers access to several waterfalls within short hiking distance. "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit," notes a recent visitor.
Summit Mt. Greylock: The highest peak in Massachusetts provides multiple access trails from surrounding campgrounds. "We hiked around during the days and saw some spectacular views. 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," explains a camper at Sperry Road Campground.
Visit Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art: Located in North Adams, approximately 20 minutes from several campgrounds. "Savoy campground provides a nice base if you're in the area for a while and want to explore North Adams, Mt. Greylock, or rafting/tubing out of Charlemont. Each of these places is 20-45 minutes away," notes a camper.
Fish at nearby ponds: Multiple campgrounds feature pond access for fishing. "Pontoosuc Lake is a short walk away; there are boat rentals available and I saw a number of people fishing from Pontoosuc Park just above the dam," reports a visitor to Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park receives high marks for site privacy. "Sites were large and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by," writes one reviewer. Another adds, "Our stay at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park was our maiden voyage for travel trailer camping and we couldn't have asked for a better first experience... The sites were wooded and large."
Clean facilities: Fernwood Forest Campground stands out for cleanliness. "This has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" reports one camper. Another notes, "Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet."
Wildlife viewing: Bear boxes at campground sites indicate active wildlife. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site)," explains a visitor at Sperry Road Campground.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. "The pond is beautiful," writes a visitor to Cherry Plain State Park Campground, while another adds, "The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean," regarding Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. "No cell service or internet, but the site is close enough to town if you need," notes a Cherry Plain State Park visitor. Another camper at Savoy Mountain explains, "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."
Power station noise: Several reviewers mention persistent noise at October Mountain State Forest Campground. "There is an electrical plant that has a hum all day & night—makes for great white noise when sleeping," writes one camper. Another adds, "Super annoying and an eyesore."
Bear safety requirements: Black bears inhabit the region, requiring proper food storage. "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country," reports a Savoy Mountain camper. Another notes, "They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site."
Navigation challenges: GPS directions often fail in this region. "Don't rely on GPS to get you there it will put you on the wrong end of the park in the middle of a rural neighborhood," warns a Savoy Mountain camper. "Use the directions provided on the website, they are far more reliable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites offers family amenities. "Fun little and safe park and we also used the pool which was great," mentions one visitor. Another camper at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills notes, "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family events on weekends. "They have hayrides, many activities, themed weekends. Activities going on all the time. Great place for family and kids," reports a camper at Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds.
Kid-friendly hiking: Several trails accommodate various skill levels. "The campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike," notes a Savoy Mountain camper. At Sperry Road Campground, a visitor reports, "There are plenty of options for hiking including two nearby falls, a section of the AT, and of course the summit."
Recreation halls: Indoor options for rainy days exist at some campgrounds. "The rec room had some nicely maintained games (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, and more)," writes a Mt. Greylock Campsite Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Sites are closer together and on the smaller side," notes an October Mountain State Forest camper. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, a visitor reports, "The site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow."
Limited hookups: Full hookup availability varies between campgrounds. "No hookups, but a dumping station," reports a Savoy Mountain camper. Meanwhile, at Pittsfield State Forest Campground, another notes, "Sites were large and had plenty of room for our 4 person tent, kitchen tent and car."
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The other road that accesses the campground is nearly unpassable with an RV, and there are signs about being toed at your own expense," warns a visitor to Savoy Mountain State Forest.
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