Camping around Greenfield, Massachusetts takes place in a mix of mountain and river settings, with elevations ranging from 200 to 1,600 feet throughout the region. Most campgrounds sit within the Connecticut River Valley and its tributaries, creating a diverse landscape of rivers, lakes, and forested hills. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during day with nighttime lows around 55-60°F, while spring and fall camping means preparing for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night.
What to do
Paddling options: 5 minutes from Barton Cove Campground, where campers can paddle the Connecticut River and explore the shoreline. The campground provides tent platforms with views between the trees. "You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water) and sites are fenced in due to how steep it is to the water," notes reviewer Brie B.
Waterfall hiking: 0.6 miles from certain campsites at DAR State Forest Campground, where trails lead to impressive viewpoints. "The hike from site 44 to the fire tower is only 0.6 miles and gets you a great view. Hike back via the Long Trail and it's 1.6 Miles back," explains Alan in his review, adding that the "Bobcat trail to the beaver dam is a great hike."
Fishing spots: Multiple access points throughout the region's lakes and rivers. At Tully Lake, one camper mentioned, "This was the trifecta for us, where we could fish, kayak, and swim! We really enjoyed our stay and look forward to booking again soon!" Fishing is particularly productive in spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer room to spread out. At DAR State Forest, a camper raves about site #44: "HUGELY HUGE. Seriously, you could put down three tents and a couple of campers and not feel crowded." Sites include multiple fire options with "Normal fire ring with adjustable grate for cooking" and a "BIG rock fire ring up off the dirt."
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers are well-maintained at most locations. At Molly Stark State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous." Another camper appreciated that "Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing."
Swimming access: Many campgrounds offer water recreation. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, "Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking." One visitor mentioned, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private."
What you should know
Car access varies: Some campgrounds don't allow vehicles at campsites. At Tully Lake, "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay." The campground provides wooden wheelbarrows to transport gear from the parking area.
Reservation windows: State parks often fill quickly on specific booking dates. For Tully Lake, you need to "be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made" to secure prime lakefront sites.
Pricing differences: Non-resident fees can be significantly higher. One camper at DAR State Forest noted, "I don't mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Tully Lake, "Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again."
Tips for camping with families
Private sites: Look for edge locations. At Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, "If you are lucky, you can get the sites at the end of the loop for a little more privacy." Another camper mentions, "A number of them have proximity to each other but not to the rest of the sites, making for a great multi-family gathering."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in some areas. "There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the bear lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!" notes a Mohawk Trail camper, though they reassure that "they say they have never had an issue in the last fifteen years."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. At Country Aire Campgrounds, a visitor noted, "The new playground is awesome according to my little experts" and another mentioned, "They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor."
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many state parks have limited RV accommodations. At Ashuelot River Campground, there are diverse options: "Sites along the river, pull thrus in the field, shaded along the edge of the field, completely wooded area towards the end of the campground."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have tricky approaches. For Ashuelot River, one RVer warned, "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru. Some of the turns aren't so friendly either."
Hookup availability: Options vary widely between campgrounds. At Ashuelot River, "Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups."
