Camping options near Hawley, Massachusetts include several established sites within the Berkshire Mountains, where elevations range between 1,000-2,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal variations with fall foliage typically peaking in early October, prompting increased campground demand. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities close after Columbus Day weekend.
What to do
River activities: Kayaking on the Deerfield River is accessible from several campgrounds. Country Aire Campgrounds provides convenient river access, with one visitor noting it's "seconds from the Deerfield river. The campground is well-maintained the staff is friendly."
Waterfall hiking: Hamilton Falls Trail offers a scenic destination. A camper at Jamaica State Park Campground reports, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls."
Mountain exploration: Mount Greylock provides excellent hiking opportunities. Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers "great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
Swimming at quarries: Dorset Quarry offers a refreshing swimming spot during summer months. A visitor to Dorset RV Park shared: "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Shaded campsites provide natural separation at several locations. At Fernwood Forest Campground, campers appreciate that "large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet."
Riverside sites: Waterfront camping spots are highly sought after. One reviewer at Jamaica State Park Campground stated, "The prime lean-to sites on the water are beautiful and spacious," while another mentioned, "The campsites were beautiful with the river behind us. Not to many people there so we're got the best spot."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. At Historic Valley Campground, a visitor noted: "Bathrooms and showers were also kept nice and clean which is always a plus. Our tent site was very spacious, you could of easily accommodated a family of four with a large tent."
Recreational amenities: Pools and playgrounds enhance the camping experience at several parks. A camper at Prospect Mountain Campground shared: "They have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'."
What you should know
Seasonal operating windows: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. The camping season typically runs from May through early October, with Jamaica State Park operating "from May 12 to Columbus Day weekend" and Country Aire Campgrounds open "May 1 to Oct 31."
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature steep grades that can affect site accessibility. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, one camper observed: "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking. Our little ones had trouble going down the hills because of the loose gravel."
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections may require additional equipment. A visitor to Historic Valley Campground noted: "One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups."
Weather preparedness: Heavy rains can affect camping conditions. At Woodmore Family Campground, a camper reported: "2nd hurricane Henri, flooded out all the low areas," highlighting the need to select sites on higher ground during wet seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Historic Valley Campground offers "a nice playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls."
Water features: Look for swimming options during summer visits. A parent at Jamaica State Park Campground shared: "For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak. The bugs were not fun in the summer. At night, we all had a great sleeping night with no crazy neighbors or dogs."
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events enhance the family camping experience. According to a visitor at Prospect Mountain Campground: "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds offer unique wildlife interactions. Dorset RV Park provides "rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy. Spotless grounds and helpful staff. We loved the vibe."
Tips from RVers
Access routes: Plan RV approaches carefully when navigating to campgrounds. Historic Valley Campground warns about difficult access: "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs."
Site leveling: Check site grades before booking as terrain can vary significantly. At Country Aire Campgrounds, an RVer mentioned: "The owners are always working on improving sites," indicating ongoing efforts to address leveling issues.
Electrical reliability: Verify power stability before connecting sensitive equipment. One reviewer warned about issues at Camp Coldbrook: "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical. It's dangerous."
Larger RV limitations: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate big rigs. At Fernwood Forest Campground, sites work best for smaller RVs as the campground is noted as "not big-rig-friendly" in their amenities list.
