Cabin camping options near New Salem, Massachusetts range from rustic state park accommodations to full-service resort facilities. The area sits at approximately 1,026 feet above sea level in the central Massachusetts highlands, with weather patterns that make cabin camping practical from early spring through late fall. Winter cabin options are limited to those with heating systems, primarily found at private campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking trails: Otter River State Forest offers multiple hiking paths through wooded terrain. "The hiking trails in and around the camp trail were nice, but not overly remarkable. Don't recall there being a ton to do in and around the neighboring towns," notes Rachel P.
Lake activities: Waterfront cabins at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort provide direct access to swimming and boating. "Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you'll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground. AWESOME pools (very kid friendly), parks, dog park, hiking trails and even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water," says Rob L.
River floating: At Ashuelot River Campground, cabin renters enjoy water activities on the adjacent river. "Great riverfront location. Huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want?" says Wayne B. Another camper mentioned, "Make sure to bring tubes for relaxing on the river. We brought our kayaks and had no problem kayaking on the flat surface river."
What campers like
Heated facilities: Cabin rentals at Cold brook Campground and Resort receive positive feedback for comfortable accommodations. "Grounds well kept. Shaded sites. Quiet areas in lower roads with mostly seasonal. Reasonable cost," notes Keri H.
Family-oriented activities: Cabins at Country Aire Campgrounds offer access to organized events. "This campground is family oriented. They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run by a family business," says Jason A. Another visitor mentioned, "Pros- warm clean bathrooms, warm cinnamon buns in the am, great playground, pool and pirate ship."
Location convenience: Staying at cabins provides easy access to regional attractions. "The White Mountains, New Hampshire, is a must, worth the short drive especially if you can go in early October, when the leaves are changing. Boston is only 40 minutes away, and the best of Maine is also very close," shares Adam P. about staying at Spacious Skies Minute Man.
What you should know
Site variations: Cabin sizes and layouts differ significantly between campgrounds. At Wells State Park Campground, "The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space. Camp sites are clearly labeled and none are that far of a walk from the beach or bathrooms," according to Lauren C.
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin facilities operate between May and October. "We stayed here for one night en route to Cape Cod. 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, right at the entrance," describes Lisa D. about the Northampton/Springfield KOA.
Reservation requirements: During peak summer months, cabin rentals fill quickly. "We only live about 20 minutes away from this campground, we had a nice shady spot. The owners of this campground very friendly courteous and knowledgeable of the local area," notes Jason A. about Country Aire Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Many cabins near New Salem provide swimming options. "Clean and well kept. Quiet time is quiet time which is great for families. With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored," writes Brian G. about Pine Acres.
Playground facilities: Campgrounds with cabins often feature play areas for children. "Great for families. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts," shares Lori-Ann D. about Otter River State Forest.
Holiday events: Holiday weekends often feature special programming. "We had a Halloween/trick or treat night, fire truck rides it's very kid friendly. We didn't like being right on top the other rvs, our sewer pipe was in front of my neighbors picnic table," explains Celeste C. at the Northampton KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Some cabin rentals include similar amenities to RV sites. "Sites are a bit on the smaller side and not very private. Great location to see some of the historical sites in the area. Heated pool was great!" explains Stephanie about Spacious Skies Minute Man.
Site selection: Choose cabins based on proximity to amenities. "Site 12 a little tight for 21 ft travel trailer. Large tree canopy. Lots if seasonal sites make up a majority of sites. Nice beach, but need to cross public road to get there - short walk," advises Mike B. about Swanzey Lake.
Extended stay discounts: Some cabin rental locations offer weekly discounts. "Stayed for one week. If you stay for 6 days, the 7th is free. Nice pull thru site. Wooded and shady," notes Molly B. about Spacious Skies Minute Man.
