The Berkshire region near Savoy, Massachusetts sits at elevations between 1,200-2,800 feet, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding areas. Night temperatures can drop below 45°F even in summer months, requiring campers to pack extra layers. Most campgrounds in this mountainous region have limited or non-existent cell service due to the terrain and remoteness.
What to do
Waterfall exploring: 20-minute drive from Savoy Mountain State Forest to Tannery Falls. "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit," notes Lauren from Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground.
Mountain summit views: Hike to the Mount Greylock summit where visibility extends across five states on clear days. "The summit lodge offers breakfast & lunch. Although abut pricey, the large fire place, friendly hiker conversations, and a warm cup of coffee brightened our rainy day," mentions Heidi R. from Sperry Road Campground.
Kayaking on multiple waterways: Several ponds and lakes provide paddling opportunities. "We unexpectedly had a free Saturday afternoon and night and 2 borrowed kayaks. We drove down to the second loop and parked on the side of the campground road and carried our kayaks down to the camper's beach," explains Melissa S. about her experience at Woodford State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out. "Site #44 is HUGELY HUGE. Seriously, you could put down three tents and a couple of campers and not feel crowded," writes Alan about DAR State Forest Campground.
Clean facilities despite remote locations: Even in rustic settings, most campgrounds maintain good standards. "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice," shares Jenny A. about Woodford State Park.
Bear boxes at campsites: Protection from wildlife is standard throughout the region. "They provide bear boxes for your things. If you are lucky, you can get the sites at the end of the loop for a little more privacy," notes Jackie G. from Mohawk Trail State Forest.
What you should know
Weather preparedness essential: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "The Berkshire region experiences significant temperature variations, with very cold nights possible even in July and August. Nights were quiet. Very limited cell service," warns Lauren from Savoy Mountain.
Limited or no cell service: Communication options are restricted throughout the area. "Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that," shares Erin B. from Clarksburg State Park Campground.
Out-of-state camping fees: Non-Massachusetts residents pay significantly higher rates. "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," cautions Lucy P. about DAR State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly swimming areas: Several locations offer designated swimming spots for kids. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers," notes Melissa S. about Woodford State Park.
Educational ranger programs: Weekend activities engage younger campers. "Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends. Great for kayaking or Stand up paddling," shares Kaileigh K. from Clarksburg State Park.
Bike-friendly camping loops: Some campgrounds offer safe cycling areas for children. "Campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike. North Pond has a small beach for swimming," explains Lauren from Historic Valley Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups but dump stations available: Most campgrounds offer basic services. "No hookups, but a dumping station. Fires are allowed and firewood is for sale at the office," Jean C. mentions about Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Challenging access roads: Navigation requires caution. "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs... Stay focused and pay super close attention when driving through the streets out here," warns Brittany V. about Historic Valley Campground.
Site configuration quirks: RV sites often have unusual layouts. "Sites are nice and most have electric, water and some with sewer hookups. One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups," advises Stephen R. about camping at Historic Valley.
Ranger
