Camping near Montgomery, Massachusetts offers several options within Massachusetts and neighboring Connecticut, situated in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. The area features several state forests and private campgrounds at elevations between 500-1,200 feet, with dirt access roads that can become challenging during wet weather. Most campgrounds in this region operate from May through mid-October, with limited off-season availability.
What to do
Hiking to fire towers: At Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground, trails lead to an observation tower with expansive views. "Hiking is beautiful and there is a fire tower you could climb to get a great view," notes one visitor. The hike from site 44 to the fire tower is only 0.6 miles, with the return via Long Trail extending to 1.6 miles.
Fishing in stocked waters: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides access to the Farmington River, renowned for its trout fishing. "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," shares a camper. The river is designated as catch-and-release only, making it popular with serious anglers.
Geocaching adventures: Several forests offer geocaching opportunities. "We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome," reports a visitor to DAR State Forest. The combination of established trails and varied terrain makes this area particularly suitable for this activity.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Tolland State Forest Campground features lakefront camping spots on Otis Reservoir. "We love Tolland and have had good luck securing lakefront sites. We have brought out kayaks and took off right from the site," one camper explains. "The water is clean and not mucky. The bathhouses have always been clean with sinks to wash your dishes."
Fall camping experiences: The region transforms during autumn foliage season. "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through," shares a visitor to Northampton / Springfield KOA. Another camper at Tolland noted, "We just went for one night; our first time there. We went fall camping and it was fantastic cooking on the open fire."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "Bathrooms are nice, maintained, and well lit. You can get ice and firewood at the camp store at the entrance," notes a visitor at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. At Tolland, a camper reports, "Beautiful clean campground. The comfort stations have flush toilets and there are only three hot showers within the campground. Never had an issue with waiting! Plenty of hot water!"
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campgrounds vary widely in site layout and privacy. At Granville State Forest, "Site No. 11 is definitely the best campsite in the area, very secluded in comparison to the other sites available." Conversely, another visitor warns, "Sites 3 & 4 are not even separated by trees. So best not to book them unless you want to get to know your neighbors."
Strict alcohol policies: Some state forests enforce no-alcohol rules. One camper at Granville State Forest cautions, "This campground has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy. Unlike most, if you bring beer, you can expect to be kicked out without notice. No warnings."
Road conditions: Access to remote campgrounds can be challenging. At Granville, the campground is reached via "a long drive into the woods with not a lot around." Similarly, several state forests require careful navigation on dirt roads that can deteriorate after rainfall.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Prospect Mountain Campground offers organized events for children. "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 one visitor. The campground also features "a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'."
Beach access considerations: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas that work well for families. "Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd," notes a DAR State Forest visitor. At Tolland, "The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids."
Wildlife encounters: Evening wildlife viewing can delight children. At Granville State Forest, "We were the only campers in the entire place Sunday night. So we were treated to a really great lightning bug display and watched the raccoons check out the other sites." At Tolland, campers report hearing "owls hooting every night around midnight."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. A visitor to DAR State Forest notes, "Not sure I'd try a really big rig here, but our little 16' trailer fit in great. I don't see any pull-through sites, but I didn't see them all." At Austin Hawes, sites are described as "nice and large, with room for trailers."
Power considerations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, sites offer "30/50 amps, water and electric and WiFi." However, at Granville State Forest, one camper reports that only "some sites you can park on but not all sites," making generator use important for those without hookups.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide sanitary dumping facilities. At Prospect Mountain, visitors appreciate that "it's a very nice campground" with "great customer service attendants." However, RVers should note that water pressure and hookup locations vary between sites, and some private campgrounds charge additional fees for dump station use outside regular checkout.
