Cabin camping near Rowe, Massachusetts offers access to over 10,000 acres of protected forest land in the northwestern corner of the state where elevation ranges from 1,600-2,800 feet. The region typically receives 45-50 inches of precipitation annually, with winter temperatures dropping below freezing from November through March. Most cabin facilities close by mid-October with the exception of select year-round rental options.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Woodford State Park provides a reservoir with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming... Our dog loved getting a little swim! (No dogs allowed at the day use area)" notes Melissa S., who visited in July.
Hiking trails: Clarksburg State Park Campground offers accessible trails directly from cabin sites. "The pond and the hiking trail around it are beautiful," shares Jay T., who found the park surprisingly secluded despite being "very close to North Adams and other towns in that part of the Berkshires."
Winter sports: Several parks maintain seasonal snow trails when cabins aren't available. The region offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing access points. As Bran P. notes about Woodford State Park, it provides "access to nearby hiking including the AT and LT. Clean lodge (hostel) for hikers; access to a kitchen and showers as well."
What campers like
Bear-resistant storage: Many cabins provide security from wildlife. "Every site has a bear box to keep anything edible," reports Crissy H. about Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, where "keeping food in the bear lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Privacy options: Site selection significantly impacts experience. At Savoy Mountain State Forest, "many of the sites (most of the ones on the periphery of the campground) are wooded and somewhat secluded, with 1-3 being the most secluded," according to Kris M., who appreciated that "we could barely see our neighbor's fire at night, because there were so many trees between us."
Seasonal differences: Campgrounds vary dramatically by season. At Clarksburg, Lauren K. notes, "We took the family up here for a long weekend. The weather quickly made this an overnight stay instead, as the rain was relentless. Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Most cabins have no cell service. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, Bill K. reports the park is "so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if your looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Noise considerations: Some cabins experience noise from nearby infrastructure. B notes that at Woodford State Park, "as other reviews have mentioned there were a ton of happy noisy kids around, couple of unleashed dogs. It looks like there are 4-5 stunningly beautiful sites in each of the three loops and everything else is jammed in."
Bathroom limitations: Shower facilities are often shared and limited. Michael G. points out that at Mohawk Trail, the "biggest negative would be only two showers for the whole campground," though the "bathrooms were cleaned two times a day and the park is so well maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Several campgrounds specifically cater to children. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," shares Sambath T. about Woodford State Park.
Playground access: Country Aire Campgrounds offers family-oriented amenities beyond cabins. According to cindy, "Great playground, pool and pirate ship. We were there with the Scouts and took up a huge grassy area with tents."
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations mean rapid weather changes. Cynthia K. advises at Clarksburg State Park to "choose your site carefully" since after rain "we had a stream running through our site. The hiking trails were extremely wet and muddy (even before the rain)."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many cabin areas accommodate small RVs with planning. At Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, Jenny C. recommends site 12: "We stayed in 12 full hook up with a 27 ft slide travel trailer and it was a good size."
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads to some cabin areas become difficult in certain seasons. Ryan A. warns about Mohawk Trail State Forest: "This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass... It is important to follow the directions and turn off of Rt. 2 onto Central Shaft Road."
Limited amenities: Most cabin sites lack full RV hookups. At October Mountain, Desiree M. notes sites vary significantly, with "Many, I would say most, sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. I want to feel like I'm in the woods. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
