Glamping sites near New Ashford, Massachusetts are located in the scenic Berkshire Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during day and cooling to the 50s at night. Winter camping options are limited as most sites operate seasonally from May through October with closures during the snowy months.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Access to the Appalachian Trail from Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground where trails connect directly to longer routes. "You can access the Mohawk trail right from the campground, the Appalachian trail and Mt Greylock is a short drive away," notes camper Bill K.
Water sports: White water rafting near Zoar Outdoor offers adventure options during summer months. According to Dominick V., "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting." The Deerfield River provides both challenging rapids and calmer sections.
Wildlife viewing: Black bear country means potential wildlife sightings throughout the region. Bring cameras but maintain distance from animals. "We were greeted by some turkey and visited by some deer," according to a visitor to Piebald Mountain, highlighting the diverse wildlife throughout the Berkshires.
Waterfall excursions: Tannery Falls located about 20 minutes from campsites offers refreshing day trips. As Lauren from Savoy Mountain notes, "A lot of hiking trails in the area. Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit."
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms at Woodford State Park Campground receive consistent praise. "The bathroom was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," writes Beck P. about nearby Molly Stark State Park.
Swimming options: Multiple ponds for cooling off during hot summer days. According to Brian T., "North Pond was a very peaceful area to enjoy while we stayed at Savoy, but when we attempted to swim at South Pond, we didn't stay very long due to the debris such as broken glass and nails."
Site privacy: Wooded sites provide separation between campers. "Many of the sites (most of the ones on the periphery of the campground) are wooded and somewhat secluded, with 1-3 being the most secluded," reports Kris M. about Savoy Mountain. Sites on outer loops typically offer more privacy than central locations.
Evening quiet: Enforced quiet hours help ensure peaceful nights. "Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing," notes Beck P. Most campgrounds enforce quiet periods from approximately 10pm to 7am.
What You Should Know
Bear safety: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced at October Mountain State Forest Campground. "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country," notes Bill K., though another camper observed inconsistent enforcement: "Bear boxes are provided, but I question how serious they are about the bear problem because the dumpster was not at all secure."
Limited connectivity: Cell service gaps throughout the region make advance planning essential. "Not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!" writes Bill K. For emergency communications, "Head toward Florida, MA on Rt 2 and at the height of land (shortly before you reach the Elk monument), you'll have good coverage."
Reservation requirements: Booking ahead is necessary, especially for specialty accommodations. "With 2020 coronavirus restrictions, reservations must be made in advance. Out of state guests will pay a significantly higher fee," notes Jean C., though current policies may vary.
Driving directions: GPS unreliability in mountainous terrain requires alternative navigation planning. "The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there... Use the directions provided on the website, they are far more reliable," advises Bill K.
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Kid-friendly beaches at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provide supervised water access. One camper mentions: "It was a pleasure to see the kids (and adults) fishing, paddling on the lake, swimming in the designated area and sitting/playing on the nice beach."
Playground facilities: New play structures keep children entertained when not exploring trails. "The new playground is awesome according to my little experts," shares a camper at Country Aire Camp Ground, while Dawn S. notes sites are "perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking."
Biking opportunities: Campground loops provide safe cycling areas for younger visitors. Lauren comments that Savoy Mountain "has a nice loop for the kids to bike," making it ideal for families with children learning to ride.
Organized activities: Scheduled events help children connect with other campers. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast," shares one visitor at Woodland Hills, noting the social opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Uneven terrain at Molly Stark State Park Campground affects leveling options. Ray P. notes at nearby campgrounds: "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are." When booking, request information about site grade if traveling with larger rigs.
Limited hookups: Variable services across campgrounds require planning for power needs. "There are RV sites and there is a dump station/potable water fill station available at the park entrance, but no RV hook ups of any kind," explains Bill K. about Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Access roads: Narrow approaches present challenges for larger vehicles. "It is important to follow the directions and turn off of Rt. 2 onto Central Shaft Road... The other road that accesses the campground is nearly unpassable with an rv, and there are signs about being toed at your own expense," warns Heather C.
Site dimensions: Size restrictions limit accommodations for larger rigs. Ray P. describes one experience: "Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I. Particularly since my wife uses a cane."
