Tent camping near Hawley, Massachusetts offers experiences from rustic walk-in sites to waterfront locations in the Berkshire foothills. The area sits at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Many campgrounds operate seasonally from late May through mid-October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Paddle the lake: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the water. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes reviewer Ben P.
Hike waterfall trails: Walk from Tully Lake to nearby Doane's Falls for an easy hike suitable for families. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," explains Nancy R.
White water rafting: Zoar Outdoor provides both camping and adventure activities on nearby rivers. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," mentions Seth K. in his review.
What campers like
Cart-in camping system: Many appreciate the vehicle-free camping at Tully Lake. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," writes Megan G.
Private waterfront sites: Waterfront locations offer direct water access. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," notes a Tully Lake visitor.
Unique accommodations: Chester Railway Station offers an unusual camping experience. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too," shares Esther L.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially at Tully Lake. "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April), so you have to be on your game," advises Kris M.
Varying campground policies: Rules differ between locations. At Barton Cove Campground, "It seemed like there were a lot of restrictive rules compared to other campgrounds that made camping more stressful," according to Jade B.
Distance to facilities: Bathroom locations can mean long walks at night. At Tully Lake, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," warns Lauren A.
Tips for camping with families
Pack light for walk-in sites: For tent camping at walk-in only sites, minimize gear. "Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea" at Tully Lake, advises Miguel B., noting "though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough."
Consider noise factors: Holiday weekends can be busy. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay," shares a Tully Lake visitor.
Look for educational opportunities: Maple Ridge Farm offers a farm experience alongside camping. "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale. Toilet and shower were very clean. Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites," notes Les R.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The Hawley area primarily supports tent camping with few dedicated RV sites. At Seth Warner Shelter and surrounding areas, camping is hike-in only. "While hiking the Long trail i stopped at the seth warner shelter for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people," explains Daniel S.
Parking logistics: Campgrounds with walk-in sites have specific parking procedures. At Barton Cove, "You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff," describes Brie B., noting the process continues when returning the key.