Peru sits at around 2,000 feet elevation in the Berkshires, making it a cooler alternative to lowland camping during summer months. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with temperatures dropping into the 40s at night even in July and August. Local campgrounds face frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer, so proper tent setup and rain gear remain essential.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The Peru area offers several waterfall hikes within 30 minutes of local campgrounds. At Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, visitors can access multiple hiking trails directly from camp. One visitor noted, "There are tons of hiking and driving trails around the area to keep yourselves occupied. The whole area is a really nice area."
Fire tower views: For panoramic vistas, hike to one of the area's fire towers. A camper at Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground shared that "The hike from site 44 to the fire tower is only 0.6 miles and gets you a great view. Hike back via the Long Trail and it's 1.6 Miles back."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds near Peru feature swimming and fishing options. A recent visitor to DAR State Forest noted, "Had a great Memorial Day weekend here despite the chilly weather. Amenities include campers only beach, great trails (including accessible), nature center, staff were present and circulated often."
Wildlife observation: The area has abundant wildlife, including black bears. A camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest explained, "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country. Ample hiking to be done in the park and you can access the Mohawk trail right from the campground."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds near Peru offer sites with good separation. A camper at Fernwood Forest Campground mentioned, "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance stands out in reviews. A visitor at Fernwood Forest said, "This has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" Another camper noted, "The bathhouse was clean and well maintained."
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution makes stargazing excellent. A visitor at Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation shared, "We fell asleep to the gentle sounds of the stream and woke up around daybreak surrounded by a light mist and beautiful early fall foliage."
Affordable state parks: Massachusetts state forests offer good value for residents. A Mount Greylock camper explained, "The sites were huge and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by." However, one visitor at DAR State Forest complained about non-resident pricing: "I don't mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, "I had a flicking bar of coverage at the high point of the campground on Verizon, but all you MIGHT be able to do is text."
Reservation requirements: Walk-ins are rarely accepted at state facilities. One camper noted, "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed" at October Mountain State Forest.
Bear safety protocols: Most state parks require food storage in bear boxes. A Mount Greylock visitor advised, "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site)."
Weather variability: Be prepared for rapid changes in conditions. At Mount Greylock, one camper noted how quickly weather changed: "We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby... We fell asleep to the gentle sounds of the stream and woke up around daybreak surrounded by a light mist."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. At Northampton / Springfield KOA, "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. One visitor mentioned, "They have a nature center, staff were present and circulated often" at DAR State Forest.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas. A Northampton/Springfield KOA visitor noted, "There are plenty activities for everybody. They have a fire truck ride that brings you around the campsite and hay-less rides. There is a pool there is a playground there are games of all ages."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming facilities. A camper at DAR State Forest mentioned, "Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds near Peru have limitations for larger rigs. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a visitor observed, "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel."
Limited hookup options: Full hookups are scarce in the region. One camper at Fernwood Forest Campground explained, "This campground has a lot of amenities for what you pay. You can get a site with just water, or electric and water."
Challenging terrain: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. At October Mountain State Forest, "Sites are closer together and on the smaller side" and "what site you get makes all the difference."
Access road cautions: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A Savoy Mountain visitor warned, "Don't rely on gps to get you there it will put you on the wrong end of the park in the middle of a rural neighborhood. The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there."
