Shelburne Falls is located in northwestern Massachusetts at around 360 feet of elevation within the Deerfield River valley. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters that drop below freezing. Camping seasons typically run from mid-May through mid-October, with peak foliage colors appearing in late September to mid-October when campsites fill quickly.
What to do
Hike Mt. Olga: The trail from Molly Stark State Park Campground is 1.7 miles round trip and rewards hikers with excellent views. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes camper Tara S.
Visit a swimming hole: Cold River at Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground offers natural water recreation. "It is beautiful, lots of shade, and you can camp right beside the river!! Don't count on phone service, and no showers," according to camper Crissy H. The sites along the water provide a peaceful setting with the sound of rushing water.
Kayak or fish: Several nearby campgrounds offer water activities. D.A.R. State Forest Campground features both swimming and paddling options. "The lake was great for kayaking and fishing, although the boat launch is small and narrow so usually there is a wait to use it," shares Cynthia K. There's also a separate campers-only beach area for swimming.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out. At D.A.R. State Forest, sites are notably generous. "Site #44 is HUGELY HUGE. Seriously, you could put down three tents and a couple of campers and not feel crowded," explains Alan. The site includes multiple fire options including an adjustable grate for cooking.
True wilderness disconnect: The lack of connectivity is viewed as a positive by many visitors. "No cell reception for most carriers and there is no wi-fi," notes Cynthia K. about D.A.R. State Forest. This creates a genuine break from everyday life, allowing campers to focus on outdoor activities and relaxation.
Bear boxes at campsites: Mount Greylock State Reservation provides bear storage at each site. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain," states Heidi R., who added that they "highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site."
What you should know
Price considerations: Out-of-state campers may pay significantly more at some Massachusetts state parks. "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," warns Lucy P. about D.A.R. State Forest.
Shower availability varies: At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, shower facilities are limited. "Only one shower stall per gender. The shower was absolutely nasty, and covered in mold," reports Kris M., though they added, "But, I don't go camping to shower, so it wasn't horrific for me."
Insect preparation: Come equipped for bugs, especially during summer months. At Savoy Mountain, "The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared," warns Ryan A.
Tips for camping with families
Best playground options: Country Aire Campgrounds offers family-friendly recreational features. "Great playground, pool and pirate ship. We were there with the Scouts and took up a huge grassy area with tents," shares camper Cindy. The campground also offers warm cinnamon buns in the morning.
Geocaching opportunities: D.A.R. State Forest offers activities beyond standard hiking. "We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome," shares Cynthia K. This treasure-hunting activity can keep kids engaged on trails.
Family-friendly campground layouts: Some campgrounds specifically arrange sites to accommodate groups. At Mount Greylock, "A number of them have proximity to each other but not to the rest of the sites, making for a great multi-family gathering," explains Kiki W.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: When heading to state parks, follow official directions rather than GPS. For Savoy Mountain, "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," warns Bill K. He adds that "the park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there."
Limited RV amenities: While some campgrounds permit RVs, hookups are scarce. "There are RV sites and there is a dump station/potable water fill station available at the park entrance, but no RV hook ups of any kind," notes Bill K. about Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Site selection for larger vehicles: At dog friendly campgrounds near Shelburne Falls, size constraints can be an issue. "Not sure I'd try a really big rig here, but our little 16' trailer fit in great. I don't see any pull through sites, but I didn't see them all," shares Joe S. about D.A.R. State Forest.