RV campgrounds near New Salem, Massachusetts provide outdoor accommodations in the forests of north-central Massachusetts. The area sits at approximately 1,246 feet above sea level and experiences cold winters with moderate snowfall and mild summers with daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through August. Nighttime temperatures typically drop to the 50s even during summer months, requiring campers to pack warm clothing for evenings.
What to do
Hiking at Jamaica State Park: The park offers a scenic 2-mile West River Trail leading to Hamilton Falls. "There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community," notes a camper at Jamaica State Park Campground. "The west river trail leads right out of the campground to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles."
Wildlife observation areas: Douglas Forest RV Resort provides direct access to hiking trails with opportunities to view local wildlife. "You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical," according to one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer pond or lake access for fishing. A visitor at Prospect Mountain Campground mentioned, "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!"
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature lakes or ponds for swimming rather than just pools. "Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres... even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water," writes a reviewer about Pine Acres Family Camping Resort.
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of forested camping areas. "The tent sites were very dispersed and way up on the top of the mountain," notes a Pine Acres visitor. "Another big plus was the abundance of wood to get from fallen trees (not having to pay for the expensive bundles at the store) and the size of the fire pits."
Clean facilities: Reviewers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers as a highlight. "The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean," notes a Jamaica State Park visitor. "Lauren, the campground manager, and her team of professionals, do a great job."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV campgrounds near New Salem close during winter months with varying opening dates. Woodmore Family Campground operates from "Mother's Day to mid-October," while Westover ARB Military FamCamp remains "open year round" but turns water off from "October 15-April 15."
Cell service variations: Connectivity can be inconsistent throughout the region. A Thousand Trails Sturbridge visitor reported, "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls."
Elevation changes: Several campgrounds feature hilly terrain which impacts site access. At Prospect Mountain, sites range from lakefront to elevated locations, with one camper noting they "had a nice quiet spot even though we were in the road to the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Campgrounds often organize weekend programming for children. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides," notes a visitor at Prospect Mountain Campground.
Swimming options: Multiple facilities offer both pool and natural water swimming. At Woodmore Family Campground, "Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park," according to a reviewer who tent camped with two other families.
Safety considerations: Some natural features require careful supervision. At Jamaica State Park, one camper advised, "People have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children around the falls."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and accessibility. At Thousand Trails Sturbridge, "What could easily be a very nice and spacious pull-thru spot are 2 back to back back-ins. Unless you're lucky enough to get an end spot, those are pull-thru."
Electrical system reliability: Some older campgrounds experience power issues during peak usage. A Camp Coldbrook visitor cautioned, "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical."
Dump station access: Not all parks offer full-hookup sites. At Westover Military FamCamp, "Sites are water/electric but some are 30 amp, others are 50 amp. Dump station available."
