The Berkshire Mountains region surrounding Hawley, Massachusetts sits at elevations between 1,000 and 3,491 feet, creating a temperature differential that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby cities. Most camping options near Hawley require navigation through winding mountain roads, with Central Shaft Road accessing Savoy Mountain State Forest particularly challenging for larger RVs—Google Maps often directs campers down nearly impassable routes.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Tannery Falls is accessible from Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground. "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit," notes a camper who stayed at Savoy Mountain.
Kayaking on ponds: Clarksburg State Park Campground offers calm waters for paddling. "There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well," explains Justin P., who visited in early July.
Geocaching adventures: The trail networks surrounding DAR State Forest contain numerous geocaches. "The lake was great for kayaking and fishing, although the boat launch is small and narrow so usually there is a wait to use it. We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome," reports Cynthia K.
What campers like
Black bear sightings: Many campers report bear activity, particularly at Mt. Greylock State Reservation. "There are bears around so use the boxes seriously. There are a number of rivers and little waterfalls that are always nice to visit," explains Christina W., who visits annually.
Free hot showers: Multiple campgrounds feature free hot showers, unlike many state parks elsewhere. According to Alan, who stayed at DAR State Forest, "FREE hot showers! Only two showers for the whole camp, but there's almost no one camping in October, so there was never a wait."
River-adjacent camping: Mohawk Park Campground specializes in riverside sites. "Mohawk campground and restaurant is my favorite spot to tent camp. Tent sites are located right on the Deerfield River... literally. It is so relaxing to wake up to the sound of the river and you can even head to a local park and tube down the river right back to your site!" shares Kerri T.
What you should know
Strict out-of-state fees: Massachusetts state parks charge significantly more for non-residents. "I don't mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane," warns Lucy P. about DAR State Forest.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal to no coverage. Bill K. notes about Savoy Mountain, "The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Bear boxes required: Most campgrounds provide bear boxes due to active black bear populations. "They provide bear boxes for your things," explains Jackie G. about Mohawk Trail State Forest, while Kiki W. adds, "There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the bear lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: When traveling with children, look for campgrounds with play structures. Peppermint Park Camping Resort features "a pool, hot tub, newer playground with a sandbox, camp store with large lodge attached, horseshoe, volleyball and other outdoor game areas," according to Rae-Ann W.
Weekend activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer organized family events on weekends. "There were several activities planned for father's day weekend including a BBQ food truck, BINGO, corn hole, horseshoes, and kids crafts," reports a visitor to Peppermint Park.
Bike-friendly options: For children who enjoy cycling, evaluate campground road layouts. Kaileigh K. notes about Clarksburg State Park, "The day use area is very nice with grass, shade and beach and swim area though it is a bit too far to walk especially with littles so be ready to drive over there. Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends."
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain feature sloped sites. "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 and the loose gravel," warns Kim R. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Dump station placement: Check campground layouts for RV service locations. Gail P. notes about Mohawk Park, "You have to exit the campground area and come back in to use the dump station as it's located on the right hand side of the one lane road. No hose by the dump station so you are expected to load a dirty hose back into the trailer."
Site size variations: Research specific campsite dimensions before booking. "Our site was a nice flat grassy site with water and 20amp electric. We were sunny in the morning and got nice shade starting late in the morning," explains Rae-Ann W. about Peppermint Park, while others note that sites at most campgrounds vary significantly in size and privacy.
