Tent camping near Lenox, Massachusetts provides access to the Berkshire Mountains with elevations ranging from 900 to 2,600 feet. Most primitive sites in the region require a 1-2 mile hike from trailheads, with seasonal temperatures varying considerably—summer highs typically reach 80°F while spring and fall nights can drop below 40°F. Campers need to carry adequate water supplies as most backcountry sites lack reliable water sources.
What to do
Trail exploration from campsites: Multiple hiking trails connect to camping areas around Mount Washington State Forest. According to one camper at Alander Trail Camground, "Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you're looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots."
River activities nearby: The Deerfield River offers recreation options approximately 45 minutes from Lenox. A visitor at Zoar Outdoor noted, "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river. It's close to where locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side."
Summit views on multi-day hikes: Overnight options include trails to mountain peaks with panoramic vistas. One backpacker at Laurel Ridge shared, "It's quite a hike to get to this dispersed campground, so be prepared! We packed on our backpacks early in the morning and arrived there mid-afternoon. Very beautiful view, and an awesome spot!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Berkshire camping areas offer secluded tent spots with natural buffers. A visitor to Onion Mountain Park explained, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent (no group sites) but has a firepit already set up."
Well-maintained facilities: Despite their remote location, many sites feature clean amenities. A camper at Alander Trail Camground mentioned, "Although we were the only campers at the time the area was emmaculate and not one piece of trash on the ground anywhere! The outhouse was even clean!"
Trail accessibility: Several campgrounds serve as perfect bases for section hiking the Appalachian Trail. At Brassie Brook Shelter, a backpacker reported, "We started our hike at the under-mountain trailhead, located right off route 41, and climbed up the mountain. Be prepared for steep inclines, and lots of rocks. After about a mile, you reach a trail intersection, stay left and continue up the hill until you reach the giant sign that reads 'Appalachian Trail - North and South'."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Bears are active throughout the region, making proper food storage mandatory. Kay D. from Alander Trail Camground advises, "You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby."
Fire restrictions vary by location: Some campsites prohibit fires completely. A camper at Laurel Ridge noted, "No fires allowed, however."
Reservation systems limited: Most primitive sites operate on first-come, first-served basis. At Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm, only 4 sites are available, requiring early arrival during peak seasons.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. One camper at Seth Warner Shelter shared, "The long trail is a very wet nasty trail but it can be dry so be careful having a fire."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: For families new to tent camping, sites with easier access provide good starting points. Marshall S. from Onion Mountain Park shared, "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp. It is a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it so no need for a bear bag."
Unique lodging alternatives: Some locations offer special accommodations that appeal to children. A visitor to Chester Railway Station reported, "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. You hear the trains running at night. Very clean and comfortable."
Logistics planning: Families should consider hiking distances when planning tent camping trips. Ricky H. from Onion Mountain Park clarified, "Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not. It's up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it's not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."
Tips from RVers
Limited options for large vehicles: Most camping near Lenox focuses on tent sites with few RV-specific amenities. Zoar Outdoor offers some of the closest developed sites to Lenox, with one camper noting, "Amenities are well maintained. Could use a refresh but overall great experience will be back."
Advance booking requirements: Some campgrounds have strict reservation policies. One visitor to Zoar Outdoor cautioned, "I'm writing this mid-October from western MA. In between homes and looked forward to staying another night, but can not because of a 12 hour advance policy. There were plenty of tent sites available last night."
