Glamping near North Egremont, Massachusetts centers around the Taconic Mountain range, which straddles the border between Massachusetts and New York. The region features dense deciduous forests with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates for camping. Most glamping sites operate from May through October, with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: October Mountain State Forest offers extensive trail access directly from camping areas. "Beautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October," notes one visitor, adding that "every site has a fire pit and a picnic table."
Swimming options: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides structured swimming areas with lifeguard supervision. According to a camper, "There are 2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of." The park restricts swimming to designated areas for safety reasons.
Fishing opportunities: Prospect Mountain Campground features pond fishing suitable for beginners. "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around," reports one visitor. No license is required for children under 15, but adults need Massachusetts fishing licenses available online or at local sporting goods stores.
Mountain exploration: White Pines Campsites serves as a base for regional hiking. A visitor mentioned, "We loved all the parks and hiking in the area and we left the camp for the day Saturday to hike in the area." The campground provides trail maps at the office showing difficulty levels and estimated completion times.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Taconic State Park offers elevated platforms that make tent setup easier, especially during wet weather. As one camper observed, "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table." The platforms keep tents above ground moisture and provide stable footing.
Clean facilities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground maintains well-serviced bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season," reports a visitor. Hot water is available throughout the operating season, even during cooler fall months.
Recreational amenities: Lone Oak Camp Sites provides organized activities for all ages. A camper noted, "There's a full bar with adult only dancing upstairs in the lounge Saturday nights, and a DJ playing dance music for the younger crowed down stairs." The site balances family programming with adult-oriented options after hours.
Proximity to natural attractions: According to one visitor at Taconic State Park, "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible."
What you should know
Weekend crowds: The region's proximity to major urban centers creates significant weekend congestion. A Taconic State Park visitor advised, "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends." Reservations are essential for Friday and Saturday stays, with many sites booking 6-8 weeks in advance during peak season.
Bear activity: White Pines Campsites reports wildlife sightings. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," warns one reviewer. Food storage regulations are strictly enforced, with violations potentially resulting in removal from campgrounds.
Electrical infrastructure: October Mountain State Forest has power limitations at certain sites. A visitor noted, "Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore." Lower-level sites experience the most noise disruption.
Site selection importance: October Mountain's layout creates significant variation between sites. "What site you get makes all the difference. There are Many, I would say most, Sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass," advises a camper. Corner sites or those with buffer zones offer the most privacy.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Prospect Mountain Campground provides dedicated recreation areas for children. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," reports a visitor. Most children's activities run between 10am-4pm.
Consider platform sites for groups: Taconic State Park accommodates multi-family setups. One camper explained, "We had a couple spots right next to each other on a group trip. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful." Group sites require booking 2-3 months in advance during peak season.
Look for water-adjacent camping: According to a Prospect Mountain Campground visitor, "We arrived to our site, it was by the pond and our site was even raked clean." Waterfront sites typically cost $5-10 more per night but provide direct access to fishing and water activities.
Check bathroom proximity: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground layouts vary in bathroom accessibility. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins," notes a camper. Sites furthest from facilities offer more privacy but require longer walks to bathrooms.
Tips from RVers
Reserve deck sites for smaller vehicles: Treetopia Campground accommodates various RV sizes with specialized sites. "We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," shares an RVer. These sites work best for campervans and smaller trailers under 24 feet.
Check hookup specifications: Waubeeka Family Campground offers full-service sites with limitations. A reviewer cautions that their site was "more like camping in a Walmart parking lot with hookups. Golf carts everywhere." Request specific site dimensions and separation measurements when booking.
Verify seasonal operating dates: Most area campgrounds close by mid-October. "Treetopia is in a class all by itself! We really enjoyed our 3 night stay at the campground. We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites," notes an RVer. Fall camping requires advance planning as many facilities begin winterizing in early October.
Consider upgrade costs carefully: Some RV sites charge substantial premiums for amenities. An October Mountain camper noted, "It yells you that the fee is $17.50 per site, I expected a little added extra fee for booking etc.... check out was $58.50 per night." Request all fees upfront when booking, including taxes and service charges.
