Campgrounds near Sheffield, Massachusetts span across the Berkshire Mountains and into neighboring New York state, with elevations ranging from 650 to 2,100 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, mountain lakes, and meadows that create varied camping environments. Most campgrounds in this region maintain operating seasons from May through mid-October, with limited winterized facilities available.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Taconic State Park provides direct trail access to Bash Bish Falls, a 60-foot waterfall crossing the Massachusetts-New York border. "There is plenty of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls! This campground is also dog friendly so bring your fur babies!" reports a visitor to Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Swimming in natural settings: Lake swimming options abound within 30 minutes of Sheffield. "This campground was one of the best I've been to... The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," shares a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Mountain exploration: Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,489 feet, offers hiking trails and scenic drives just 45 minutes from Sheffield. "This campground is a less than five minute drive to the visitors station at the base of Mt. Greylock. The sites were roomy and we had water and electrical hookups," notes a visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out as a consistent positive in camper reviews. "Superb. Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," writes one reviewer about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Wooded privacy: Many campsites in the region offer natural screening between sites. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet," notes a visitor to Fernwood Forest Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Recreation options keep children entertained during downtime. "The sites are big and this has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" reports a recent camper at Fernwood Forest Campground, while another visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park mentioned, "The rec room had some nicely maintained games (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, and more)."
What you should know
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds near Sheffield feature wooden platforms for tent setup. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" shares a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Varying site privacy: Site selection matters for privacy and comfort. "There are 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," advises a visitor to October Mountain State Forest Campground.
Ambient noise concerns: Some campgrounds have nearby infrastructure that creates background noise. "There is a station nearby that offers a constant hum and during the week there are trucks going in and out before 7am. The closer to the street side the worse it is," notes a camper at October Mountain State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas cater to different age groups. "Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails. Bathrooms on site as well as showers," reports a visitor to Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playground equipment for children. "Great family 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," writes a camper at Prospect Mountain Campground.
Weekend activities: Scheduled events occur at many campgrounds, particularly on weekends. "They had a band on Saturday night. The band was loud and we eventually went back to our site, had our fire and enjoyed the music from there, but it was wrapped up by 9:30 and the camp quieted down pretty quickly," notes a visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Terrain in the Berkshires creates uneven camping spots. "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," cautions a reviewer at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
RV sites near Sheffield, Massachusetts with full hookups: Several campgrounds within 30 miles offer comprehensive RV amenities. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins," shares a visitor to Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV campgrounds close entirely between November and April. "Quiet campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits," reports a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, which operates from May 6 to October 15.
