Camping options near Mill River, Massachusetts provide diverse experiences across the Berkshire Mountains, with elevations ranging from 700 to 3,491 feet at Mount Greylock. The region typically sees camping seasons running from May through mid-October, with fall temperatures dropping to the 40s at night. Most campgrounds close after Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend due to colder weather and maintenance needs.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Taconic State Park offers trails leading to Bash Bish Falls, crossing from New York into Massachusetts. "Bash bish falls are just a short drive," notes Erica H. about Rudd Pond Area at Taconic State Park. Copake Falls Area connects to various hiking options, with one visitor sharing, "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful."
Lake activities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming and boating options on small lakes. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," according to Mellisa T. For fishing enthusiasts, Rudd Pond offers "plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water."
Stargazing opportunities: Low light pollution in the region creates excellent night sky viewing. Seth K. from Lake Taghkanic notes, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several area campgrounds feature raised wooden platforms that improve camping comfort. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," explains Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground. According to Christina M., these platforms are "enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents."
Clean facilities: Despite rural locations, many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. Perrin M. notes about Lake Taghkanic: "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is." At Fernwood Forest Campground, a visitor observed, "Clean, quiet and well maintained. Washroom incredibly clean though."
Wooded privacy: Many sites offer natural separation between campsites. One camper at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park noted, "This place is great. It's got so many different nooks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods." Another added, "The sites were wooded and large."
What you should know
Varying site quality: Not all sites provide the same experience, even within the same campground. At October Mountain State Forest, "Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors," notes Sandra G. Another camper advises, "What site you get makes all the difference... Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Seasonal considerations: The camping season is limited, with distinct weather patterns. Lake Taghkanic operates "May 6 to October 15" while Rudd Pond has an even shorter season from "May 27 to September 5." One October Mountain visitor warned, "This place, overall, is a good time if it's not below 60 and wet."
Background noise: Some campgrounds have unexpected ambient sounds. At October Mountain, a camper reported, "There is a station nearby that offers a constant hum and during the week there are trucks going in and out before 7am. The closer to the street side the worse it is."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to children with dedicated facilities. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also 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'," shares Sandra S.
Recreation halls: Indoor options provide entertainment during inclement weather. Kurt S. mentions Lake Taghkanic has "a rec room for rainy days" while Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers "several games including air hockey, foosball, pool and board games."
Swimming options: Most campgrounds have swimming areas designed with different age groups in mind. Lizz H. enthusiastically shared about Lake Taghkanic: "Best swimming experience ever!" Prospect Mountain Campground offers "a great pool" according to multiple reviewers.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV sites vary considerably between campgrounds. At Interlake RV Park, a visitor noted it has sites that accommodate "full hook-up and about a half hour from stunning views." Prospect Mountain can handle larger rigs with "sites on the water looked nice," according to Stephanie.
Hookup variations: Electric service types differ between campgrounds. Copake Camping Resort offers "full RV hookups with 50 & 30amp services" according to a reviewer, while Fernwood Forest provides "sites with water and electric hookups including 50 amp service."
Terrain challenges: The hilly Berkshire landscape affects RV parking and setup. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel."
