Camping options near Pelham, Massachusetts include wooded sites, lakeside retreats, and mountain-adjacent facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits approximately 400 feet above sea level and receives an average rainfall of 45 inches annually. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from late April through mid-October, with limited options available for extended season camping.
What to do
Hiking trails: Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area provides relatively flat terrain suitable for families. Erving State Forest Campground offers access to several walking paths around Long Pond with 122 acres of protected forest. One visitor noted, "Beautiful park! yes you will hear the road so plan accordingly and not all sites are level."
Water activities: Ashuelot River Campground offers tubing and kayaking opportunities along its namesake waterway. A camper reported, "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit."
Seasonal events: Fall foliage viewing draws visitors to the region from late September through mid-October. A visitor at Northampton/Springfield KOA mentioned, "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
What campers like
Amenities at Wilderness Lake Park: This campground provides complimentary water equipment for lake activities. A visitor mentioned, "Beautiful views, spacious site and lots to do. They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake."
Swimming options: Sunset View Farms features both a swimming pond and pool for guests. According to a camper, "There is horse shoes, shuffle board, basketball, play ground, swimming pond, fishing stream and fishing pond. Would recommend to my family and friends gladly. Beautiful area was once a large farm."
Bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds have recently upgraded their restroom facilities. A camper at Wells State Park Campground reported, "beautiful park! yes you will hear the road so plan accordingly and not all sites are level. The best plus aide ever....NEW HUGE bathrooms!!"
What you should know
Yurt camping in Pelham, Massachusetts: For those seeking alternative accommodations, Otter River State Forest offers yurt rentals along with traditional camping options. One visitor mentioned, "At the top of the hill, there are several yurts available."
Site conditions: Campground terrain varies significantly throughout the region. A camper at Wells State Park noted, "Most sites were heavily wooded, and the pond is very pretty. Staff was also very friendly and helpful. Bath houses, were ok: roomy, well-lit, but quite old and a bit smelly."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly for weekend stays and during peak foliage season. At Country Aire Campgrounds, one visitor shared, "I have stayed here many times over the years due to work in the area. The owners are always working on improving sites."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Many campgrounds offer scheduled weekend entertainment. According to a visitor at Country Aire Campgrounds, "This campground is family oriented. They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run buy a family business, wife and I've been here many times and we will keep coming back."
Pool availability: For families seeking swimming options, check operating dates as most pools open from mid-May through early September. A visitor at Northampton/Springfield KOA shared, "We stayed in the cabins and they were clean, and we liked our proximity to the pool."
Playground equipment: Several campgrounds feature recreational equipment for children of various ages. As one camper at Country Aire noted, "The pool is ok, the new playground is awesome according to my little experts and there are some nice sites along a brook."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. One camper at Wells State Park explained, "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."
Hookup availability: Wilderness Lake Park provides various utility options for different camping styles. A camper noted, "While this is about 60% RVs, the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring."
Late arrivals: Some campgrounds offer accommodations for after-hours check-in. At Wilderness Lake Park, a visitor reported, "The employees and owners also went out of the way to accommodate our late arrival which was very much appreciated. Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared."
