Shutesbury, Massachusetts sits in north central Massachusetts at approximately 1,000 feet elevation in the eastern foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, small lakes, and rolling terrain that creates diverse camping options throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F while fall brings cooler weather and spectacular foliage.
What to do
Kayaking at Laurel Lake: Erving State Forest Campground offers excellent water recreation on its scenic pond. "The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy," notes Jean C.
Hiking rail trails: Several campgrounds connect to converted rail corridors. At Ashuelot River Campground, "You can pick up the Ashuelot Rail Trail at the campground. They have canoes and kayaks on site, plus a shuttle service for water sports or biking," according to Carry M.
Winter yurt camping: While most Shutesbury area campgrounds close seasonally, several sites offer limited winter yurt camping options. The canvas structures provide more insulation than tents, making shoulder season camping more comfortable when temperatures drop below freezing.
Floating the river: The gentle current at Ashuelot River Campground creates perfect conditions for tubing. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit," reports Rae-Ann W.
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers value the quieter camping options near Shutesbury. At Country Aire Campgrounds, "This place is quite quiet has a pool and other family activities," according to Jason A.
Beach access: Water features rank highly in camper reviews. "The campground was clean and well-maintained but the sites are quite small and close together. There were a ton of kids and it was pretty noisy until about 11pm and then starting again around 7am," shares Taylor R. about Otter River State Forest.
New bathroom facilities: Upgraded amenities improve the camping experience. At Wells State Park Campground, "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space," Lauren C. reports.
Forest camping: The wooded nature of campsites ranks high with visitors seeking shade. "The sites are large, well spaced, and shaded. Great little swimming lake as well as a popular hiking trail. If you're looking for a little escape to the woods, this place is it," notes Cliff M. about Wells State Park.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. "Download your maps for offline use! Cell connection was horrible heading up here," advises Jean C. about Erving State Forest Campground. Similarly, at Otter River, "There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine... but wished we knew ahead of time."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds near Shutesbury operate from May through October. Erving State Forest Campground runs from "May 25 to October 8" while others like Otter River State Forest operate "mid May to mid October."
Reservation requirements: Availability at popular sites is limited, especially for yurt camping near Shutesbury. Massachusetts. "There are only 27 sites, but in 2020 many of the ones served by composting toilets are closed. You need reservations in advance," advises Jean C.
Non-resident fee differences: Some state parks charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors. "Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters," notes Jean C. about Erving State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature upgraded play areas. At Sunset View Farms, "There is horse shoes, shuffle board, basketball, play ground, swimming pond, fishing stream and fishing pond," according to Harold C.
Scheduled activities: Campgrounds often organize family-oriented events. "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through," shares Jason A. about Northampton / Springfield KOA.
Swimming areas: Water features provide entertainment for children. At Wells State Park, "It's red clay instead of sand. I knocked a star because I think the swimming area could be bigger and raked," notes Emily H.
Site selection for privacy: Choose locations away from common areas. "The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller and most of them are designated for tents only or tents/popups," advises Jean C. about Otter River State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Bridge clearance: Pay attention to route restrictions for larger vehicles. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," advises John L. about Ashuelot River Campground.
Leveling challenges: Site terrain varies significantly. "We booked site #39 online, based on proximity to bath house. No pictures of individual campsites on the ReserveAmerica booking site, so we were kind of winging it. The site seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway," shares Jen V. about Wells State Park.
Limited full-hookup options: Services vary widely between campgrounds. Some yurt camping options near Shutesbury, Massachusetts provide electric service, while others remain primitive.
