Montgomery is located in western Massachusetts at an elevation of about 1,400 feet, where the terrain consists predominantly of wooded hills and small valleys. The rural setting offers relatively dark night skies compared to nearby urban areas, with summer temperatures typically ranging 10-15 degrees cooler than Springfield. Camping options near Montgomery include both developed campgrounds and limited dispersed options within nearby state forests.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park, campers can access largemouth bass fishing. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes one visitor.
Golf access: Several campgrounds provide access to golf courses, though quality varies. One camper at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resort observed that "the 9 hole course is more weeds than course. The greens have not been cared for in 10+ years." Despite this, the course remains accessible for casual players.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking opportunities within state parks. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, visitors note "the light pollution is low" for stargazing and there are "plenty of nearby hikes for exploring." The park maintains multiple trail systems suitable for various skill levels.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms as a highlight. At Fernwood Forest Campground, visitors report "very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet." Another camper noted it was "the cleanest campground I've ever visited!"
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature swimming options. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground received praise for its "great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days." Another camper called it "the best swimming experience ever."
Family-oriented activities: Thousand Trails Sturbridge offers recreation options for families. One camper mentioned the "cool pond for paddle boats and canoeing! Family friendly" atmosphere. Another noted the "awesome dog park, great office with laundry, activities, arcades, adult only room, community campfire, indoor pool with lifeguard."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Sturbridge, campers report that "cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls." This limitation impacts remote workers and those needing consistent connectivity.
Site spacing concerns: Many rv campgrounds near Montgomery, Massachusetts feature closely spaced sites. At Northampton / Springfield KOA, one camper noted "very little privacy between campsites even in wooded areas. A smaller operation with a high percentage of seasonal residents."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Typical operating seasons run from May through October, with limited exceptions. Westover ARB Military FamCamp remains open year-round but with reduced services: "Water is turned off October 15-April 15. Water available from rest room spigot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several Montgomery area RV parks offer dedicated children's play areas. One camper at Fernwood Forest Campground mentioned "small play areas, private and well maintained." These areas provide entertainment options during downtime between activities.
Organized activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events. At Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park, "they have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing." These structured activities help keep children engaged.
Swimming options: Family-friendly swimming areas vary in quality and safety features. One visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground noted the "nice pool with time for adult only swim time," showing how some facilities balance family needs with adult preferences.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: RV owners should verify electrical service reliability. One camper at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resort warned, "the electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years." Portable surge protectors are recommended.
Site accessibility: Navigating larger rigs through some campgrounds requires careful planning. At Northampton / Springfield KOA, a camper advised "although we had requested a specific site on the KOA website, the gentleman in the front office had arranged for us to park in an easily accessible pull-through site." Consider requesting pull-through sites when available.
Space constraints: Some campgrounds near Montgomery have limited room for larger RVs. At Pine Lake RV Resort, the 230 sites include options for larger rigs with both 30 and 50-amp service available. This provides more flexibility for RVs with higher power requirements than some of the smaller campgrounds in the region.
