Best Tent Camping near Hinsdale, MA
Tent campsites surrounding Hinsdale, Massachusetts offer a mix of primitive and established options within the Berkshire Mountains. Alander Trail Campground in Mount Washington State Forest provides free dispersed tent sites accessible via a 1.5-mile hike, while Laurel Ridge in Mount Everett State Reservation offers more remote backcountry camping for hikers. Both locations feature walk-in tent sites within protected state forest lands approximately 25-30 miles southwest of Hinsdale.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the region require hikers to pack in all supplies. Alander Trail sites typically include fire pits with grill racks, picnic tables, and bear boxes shared between neighboring campsites. Laurel Ridge prohibits campfires entirely despite its remote setting. Both areas feature vault toilets but no running water, requiring campers to filter from streams or pack in all water needs. These backcountry sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system, making weekday visits advisable during peak summer months.
The terrain at these walk-in tent sites provides a genuinely secluded camping experience compared to established campgrounds. A camper described Alander Trail as "a super private, true primitive camping experience" where sites are "completely free and usually isn't too busy since most people don't like having to carry all their stuff in that far." Hikers should be prepared for encounters with wildlife, as the same reviewer mentioned having "some scares with coyotes and bears in the past." Both locations connect to extensive trail networks, including sections of the Appalachian Trail, making them ideal basecamps for multi-day backpacking trips. The higher elevation of these tent campgrounds provides cooler temperatures during summer months when lower-elevation sites might be uncomfortably warm.
