Cabins near North Adams, Massachusetts are set within the northern Berkshire Mountains where elevations range from 700 to over 3,000 feet at nearby Mount Greylock. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging in the upper 70s. Most cabin facilities in the region operate seasonally from May through October, closing during the harsh winter months when road access becomes difficult.
What to do
Paddling at Woodford State Park: Just across the Vermont border, this state park offers calm water recreation on a 23-acre reservoir. "Beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it," notes one visitor to Woodford State Park Campground. The park maintains a separate camper's beach area where dogs are permitted, unlike the main day-use area.
Hiking at October Mountain: The largest state forest in Massachusetts features extensive trail networks accessible directly from camping areas. "The marsh trail is absolutely stunning," reports a camper at October Mountain. The forest connects to multiple regional trail systems including segments that lead to Monument Mountain, approximately 20 minutes away by car.
Swimming at Clarksburg State Park: The pond at Clarksburg State Park Campground features a designated beach area with swim zones. "The day use area is very nice with grass, shade and beach and swim area though it is a bit too far to walk especially with littles so be ready to drive over there," advises one visitor. Rangers provide weekend programming specifically for children and families during summer months.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many visitors note the tranquil atmosphere near North Adams despite proximity to towns. "We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site," writes one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms were cleaned two times a day and the park is so well maintained," notes one visitor. Sites along the Cold River are particularly popular, offering natural sound buffering from nearby roads.
Wildlife encounters: Campers frequently report seeing and hearing forest wildlife. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, visitors mention hearing coyotes at night and loons in the morning. Bear boxes are standard at most campsites in the region, indicating the presence of black bears throughout the area.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal or non-existent at most campgrounds. "No place for larger RVs here unless they were to decide to use the field at the bottom," notes a visitor to Privacy Campground in Williamstown, where they've recently rebuilt some cabins though facilities remain dated but clean.
Reservation requirements: State parks require advance booking with no same-day reservations. "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed," reports an October Mountain visitor. Massachusetts charges significantly higher fees for out-of-state visitors, often triple the resident rate.
Weather preparedness: The mountain location means conditions can change rapidly. Sites at some campgrounds have drainage issues during heavy rain. "Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle," notes a Clarksburg visitor who found a stream running through their campsite after rainfall.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly locations: Woodford State Park Campground consistently ranks highly for family experiences. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins," explains one reviewer. The park offers boat rentals and a swimming area particularly popular with children.
Pack entertainment: While natural settings provide plenty of exploration opportunities, scheduled activities vary by location. "Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends," mentions a Clarksburg visitor, though such programs aren't available midweek at most locations.
Consider cabin proximity: Family cabin sites at most locations are positioned relatively close together. "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!" notes a Woodford visitor. This arrangement facilitates social interaction among children but may not suit those seeking isolation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Most campgrounds near North Adams have limited truly level sites for RVs. "I could have used leveling blocks because it was hard to find a great spot that was level side to side," notes a visitor to Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites in Pittsfield, where site 28 presented challenges while neighboring sites 27 and 29 appeared more level.
Navigation cautions: GPS directions frequently route vehicles down unsuitable roads. "It is important to follow the directions and turn off of Rt. 2 onto Central Shaft Road," advises a Savoy Mountain visitor, noting that "the other road that accesses the campground is nearly unpassable with an rv."
Size restrictions: Most cabin and RV sites in the region accommodate medium-sized units only. Several campgrounds specify no big rig access, with Savoy Mountain noting vehicles can be towed at owner's expense if approaching from unauthorized roads. Limited turning radius at many sites further restricts larger rigs.
