Southern Vermont and Western Massachusetts offer diverse camping options at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,500 feet. The region experiences cool summer nights with temperatures dropping into the 50s even during July and August. Most RV sites near Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts operate seasonally due to the region's harsh winters, with the majority closing by mid-October.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Hamilton Falls via a 2-mile trail from Jamaica State Park Campground, which provides trailheads directly from the camping area. "There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community. We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," notes Chris D.
Swimming in local quarries: Visit the nearby Dorset Quarry, just minutes from camping areas. "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy," shares Rachelle S. from Dorset RV Park.
Mountain exploration: Climb to the fire tower at Mt. Olga for panoramic views. "This park is close to my house in southern Vermont. We usually visit during the day to hike to the top of the Mt. Olga firetower. The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip). There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains," explains a camper at Molly Stark State Park.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites away from highway noise. "The waterfront campsites are very scenic," notes William A. about Woodford State Park Campground, while another camper mentions "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance standards are notably high throughout the region. "The bathhouse was clean but they have pay showers," mentions a camper at Mt. Greylock. Another visitor to Fernwood Forest Campground states, "Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet. Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area."
Waterfront access: Several parks feature swimming and boating options. "The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They also had roaming chickens with FREE eggs, first come first serve," reports a camper at Dorset RV Park, while another mentions at Woodford State Park, "The park has a nice grassy area on the water that's dog-friendly, and a separate little no-dog swimming and paddle boat area."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads, particularly for larger RVs. A visitor to Historic Valley Campground cautions: "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs."
Site levelness variations: Many campgrounds feature sloping terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Our site was level but some definitely were not," notes Nancy W. about her stay at Dorset RV Park.
Limited cellular connectivity: Cell service can be spotty throughout the region. One camper at Jamaica State Park appreciates the "small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, "The rec room had some nicely maintained games (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, and more)." Another camper notes, "For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak."
Weekend noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds can become lively on weekends. A visitor to Woodford State Park advises, "If you're looking for a quiet spot maybe don't look here. If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!"
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with safe water access for children. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," shares Fransheska A. about Jamaica State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Utility placement varies significantly between campgrounds. At Molly Stark State Park Campground, campers can find water hookups but limited electrical options. One RVer at Historic Valley notes, "Sites are nice and most have electric, water and some with sewer hookups. One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups."
Tree clearance concerns: Several campgrounds have challenging tree placement for larger rigs. "The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45' motorhome," reports an RVer at Historic Valley Campground.
Seasonal availability: Most RV sites in this region close by mid-October. "We paid ($47/night) for our full hookup, 50-amp site," notes Nancy W. about Dorset RV Park, which operates from May through October. Fernwood Forest offers "sites with just water, or electric and water" according to a recent visitor.
