The North Egremont camping region sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level in the western edge of the Berkshire Mountains. Winter camping options are limited with most facilities closing by late October, reopening in May when average daytime temperatures reach the mid-60s. Many campgrounds in this area are situated on sloped terrain, requiring leveling blocks for RVs and careful tent placement.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Rudd Pond at Taconic State Park offers fishing access from shore and boat rentals. "There is a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals... The campground is situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond," notes camper Katherine P.
Trail exploration: Hiking paths connect many campgrounds to larger networks. "There's a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," mentions Katherine P. about Rudd Pond Area. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, Seth K. reports, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Lake Taghkanic, one camper stated it offered the "Best swimming experience ever," while Lizz H. described her experience as "awesome!" The park maintains both shallow and deep swimming areas, with "a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," according to Erin B.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: These elevated platforms make camping in wet conditions more manageable. Rosie R. at Lake Taghkanic State Park shares, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" Mary-Kate L. adds that the park has "options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a reviewer mentioned, "The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great." At Lake Taghkanic, Perrin M. noted, "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Recreation options: Campgrounds offer various activities beyond hiking and swimming. At Rondout Valley RV Campground, Robert M. reports they have "a pool, concession stand, game room, playgrounds, sports field and more." Mt. Greylock Campsite Park provides "air hockey, foosball, pool and board games. All are free and we enjoyed them," according to reviewer Kim R.
What you should know
Seasonal schedules: Most rv parks near North Egremont, Massachusetts operate May through October. Lake Taghkanic State Park runs "May 6 to October 15," while Mt. Greylock stays open slightly longer depending on weather conditions.
Site placement considerations: Campgrounds built on hillsides can present challenges. "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep," explains Kim R. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, Ray P. noted, "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are... the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table."
Weekend crowds: Some campgrounds change character from weekday to weekend. Nicole P. observed at Mt. Greylock: "It was a very quiet campground during the week. However, when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy." At Taconic State Park, John E. advises, "Avoid weekends. Not all, but some other campers were less than considerate of others."
Tips for camping with families
Campground amenities: Look for facilities designed with children in mind. Prospect Mountain Campground receives high marks from family campers. Sandra S. says it's "a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Cabin options: For families new to camping or visiting during unpredictable weather, cabin rentals provide comfort. At Lake Taghkanic, Taylor P. reports, "Cottage was great besides all the bees," while Mellisa T. found "clean cabins, cottages, beach... the lake is beautiful and clean."
Site selection: Choose sites appropriate for your family's needs. Kurt S. suggests at Lake Taghkanic, "My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms, as all these sites seemed to be generally very well maintained." He warns against specific sites with issues: "beware of site G006. The grill at the fire pit is upside down, so it doesn't hold level above the fire."
Tips from RVers
RV Site options: North Egremont motorhome parks offer varied experiences based on site type. At Interlake RV Park, "This year the most basic site with water costs $46; add electric on up to sewer and cable tv and you'll pay as much as $60/night," reports Jean C. Copake Camping Resort offers "Full RV hookups with 50 & 30amp services," notes Reddy47.
Terrain challenges: The hilly topography affects RV parking. At Rondout Valley, Robert M. explains they had "one [site] and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee." At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, Ray P. cautions, "Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks."
Seasonal considerations: For RVers staying longer term, April L. at Copake Camping Resort observed, "This exchange took place after I saw the manager respond rudely to a seasonal who was asking about renewal for 2021." Some campgrounds maintain long-term relationships with campers, as Ian R. notes at Rondout Valley: "Lots of locals and summer residents."
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