Tent and RV camping near Lenox, Massachusetts ranges from densely forested sites to open meadows across state and private campgrounds. The region sits within the Berkshire Mountains, with elevations between 950-2,000 feet contributing to cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Most campgrounds remain open only from May through mid-October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rudd Pond at Taconic State Park offers largemouth bass fishing with both shore access and boat rentals. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes one camper at Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Hiking trail access: Pittsfield State Forest offers multiple trail options directly from the campground. "We stayed in site #36. The loop took us to the top where there was a beautiful view. There were many hiking trails," reports a visitor at Pittsfield State Forest Campground. The four-mile loop road itself provides a challenging hike with significant elevation changes.
Swimming options: Lake Taghkanic State Park provides a clean swimming beach with lifeguards. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," according to a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground. Multiple campgrounds offer swimming access, with some featuring dedicated kiddie areas.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers secluded, tree-covered campsites. "This was our favorite spot so far this summer. Sites were large and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by," shares one visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. The campground's terrain creates natural separation between sites.
Well-maintained facilities: Fernwood Forest Campground maintains exceptionally clean restrooms and showers. "Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet. Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area," notes a camper at Fernwood Forest Campground. Multiple reviews highlight the cleanliness of facilities across campgrounds.
Platform tent sites: Several area campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms for tents. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
What you should know
Campground terrain: Many campgrounds feature significant hills and uneven ground. "The campground is situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park. Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope)," explains a camper from Taconic State Park.
Seasonal popularity: Weekends from Memorial Day through fall foliage season fill quickly. "The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours," notes a visitor at Taconic State Park.
State park alcohol policies: Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks," reminds a camper at October Mountain State Forest Campground. This policy applies to all Massachusetts state park campgrounds but not private facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Prospect Mountain Campground offers multiple kid-friendly amenities. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," shares a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park.
Swimming areas with separate sections: Several parks maintain dedicated swimming zones. "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," reports a camper about Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area. Most swimming facilities operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Recreation facilities: Game rooms and equipment rentals keep kids entertained during bad weather. "Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully based on rig size and campground terrain. "They have a tendency to close one of the main roads in the campground for cornhole tournaments which they'd have plenty of room for without closing the road. This closure then means anyone checking in may have to navigate through a really tight seasonal area to access their site," advises an RVer at Copake Camping Resort.
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks open from May through October. "The sites are big and this has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" reports a recent visitor to Fernwood Forest Campground, which offers electric and water hookups for RVs.
Electrical service options: Multiple parks offer 50-amp service for larger rigs. "Large site with privacy, but not many campers early season. New bath house with multiple shower rooms," notes an RVer camping at Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond Area.
