Best Campgrounds near South Hadley, MA

The Pioneer Valley surrounding South Hadley, Massachusetts features a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas within a 30-minute drive. Northampton/Springfield KOA in nearby Westhampton provides full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. State-managed properties like Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground in Williamsburg offer more rustic experiences with both drive-in and boat-in access. Several privately operated campgrounds including Sunset View Farms in Monson and Prospect Mountain Campground in Granville accommodate various camping styles from April through October, with most closing after Columbus Day weekend.

Massachusetts state parks and forests implement specific regulations that affect camping logistics. Reservations are essential during peak season (late May through early September), with many campgrounds booking completely on summer weekends. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with several reviewers noting limited or no coverage at campgrounds like Erving State Forest. As one camper noted, "There is zero cell service, which is fine, but wished we knew ahead of time." Out-of-state visitors should be prepared for higher camping fees, sometimes three times the resident rate. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically closing by mid-October, though a few like Westover ARB Military FamCamp remain open year-round.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with ponds and lakes featured at many campgrounds. Visitors frequently mention the quality of hiking trails accessible directly from campsites, particularly at Wells State Park where "the hiking is some of the best I have seen from a campground in the area, with a huge system of trails which are all very well marked." Privacy between sites varies considerably, with state forest campgrounds generally offering more seclusion than private facilities. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, especially near water. Fall camping receives high praise for foliage viewing, with one camper describing the experience as "absolutely lovely in the fall, especially on the water at the campers' beach."

Best Camping Sites Near South Hadley, Massachusetts (167)

    1. Northampton / Springfield KOA

    12 Reviews
    Southampton, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 527-9862

    "We stayed in the cabins and they were clean, and we liked our proximity to the pool."

    "I’m more of a quite, in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of camper, so I tend to shy away from commercial campgrounds, but it was easier for me to commute from the KOA than from home when work was crazy because"

    2. Westover ARB Military FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Chicopee, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 557-2192

    "Base is sleepy and nearly all of it closes around 3pm unless it’s a Friday. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst. I’d stay there again if it worked out logistically for us."

    "Located on Westover RAFB. for active duty, retired and DAV. Sites are water/electric but some are 30 amp, others are 50 amp. Dump station available."

    3. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground

    10 Reviews
    Goshen, MA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 268-7098

    $17 - $35 / night

    "There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well."

    "Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd. sites book up quick so reserve early!"

    4. Sunset View Farms

    5 Reviews
    Monson Center, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 267-9269

    "Great location kids had a blast just wished they had more activities for them to do for the weekend we stay it poured everyday and they only had one craft and then an arcade to entertain them."

    5. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Granville, MA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 357-6494

    "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"

    "This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"

    6. Partridge Hollow Campground

    5 Reviews
    Monson Center, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 267-5122

    $45 - $65 / night

    7. Black Rabbit Farm

    1 Review
    Granville, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 374-2680

    $45 - $65 / night

    8. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 684-6352

    $70 / night

    "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

    "It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating."

    9. Wells State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Sturbridge, MA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 347-9257

    $17 - $55 / night

    "Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."

    "This is a great campground located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts on walker pond. Brand new bathroom/shower facility this year. Offers hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Nice and quiet also."

    10. White Birch Campground

    1 Review
    Whately, MA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 665-4941
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Recent Reviews near South Hadley, MA

732 Reviews of 167 South Hadley Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Zoar Outdoor

    Nice and would like to visit again but not within 12 hours-BOO

    I’m writing this mid-October from western MA. In between homes and looked forward to staying another night, but can not because of a 12 hour advance policy. There were plenty of tent sites available last night. Not a happy camper.

  • Carroll K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gus's Gardens Camping

    It was quite and peaceful

    We enjoyed our stay with Gus very much. With the email to confirm our stay, there were excellent directions to get there. It is behind his home by a lake with creek nearby. There is also a hiking trail. We had no problems. If we are in the area again, we would camp here again.  Thanks

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Nice ‘n Easy campground

    We stayed for 3 days off season so not busy. Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night. Sites have fire rings with excellent airflow for good burning with low smoke. Hook ups are in great condition for power, water, sewer. Showers and bath house on site. Laundry and game room at office area. Office staff was very helpful and they’re open later into the day til 7 PM. Good firewood and large bundle delivered for $15 to your site. We passed over this site on our first trip to the area but are glad we came here and we’re planning to return. Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits.

  • Rae-Ann W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Another great trip to Ashuelot River Campground

    We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground. We recently purchased a new-to-us camper and wanted to get in a trip or two before putting it away for the winter. This was our 2nd visit to Ashuelot.

    We were in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park. We were in a fully wooded area on the left side of the campground, which we prefer. They have sites located in fully open areas, as well as some that are partially wooded and have river access. There is a nice mix.

    Having good weather, 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. We were able to enjoy a nice, slow drift around the campground.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our time again and will definitely be back.

  • Rachael K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Gus's Gardens Camping

    Nice weekend getaway

    This place was really nice. Easy to pull our 20ft camper in. Two minutes drive to the very cute town of Wilmington. Good places to eat there. The campsite was really private. Had a picnic table and fire pit. The pond was sweet and the Deerfield Valley Trail is right off the campsite. We would definitely like to stay there again.

  • Michael
    Sep. 20, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    The Quarry Campground

    Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park

    Good Campground

    Stayed for over a week off season , mid September. Very quiet during the week , weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night. Very loud until after 10:00 on Friday / Saturday. 50 percent or more is seasonal camp sites. Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy. Owners are exceptionally helpful and work hard to keep the site functioning and clean. Coin operated showers with hot water, mostly nice and clean except after a crowd gets packed and checks out Sunday AM. Laundry room takes quarters for machines. Small store at office which was open every day. Game room with wi fi. Pool , playground , volleyball area. Good size wood bundle for $10 , delivered directly to your site. Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.


Guide to South Hadley

Camping near South Hadley, Massachusetts offers varied terrain with elevations ranging from 240 to 750 feet above sea level throughout the Pioneer Valley region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and fall temperatures around 45-65°F. Most campgrounds in this area sit near small lakes or ponds, creating microclimates that can be cooler and more humid than surrounding areas.

What to do

Disc golf opportunities: Wilderness Lake Park in Willington features a developing disc golf course on the property. The location is "conveniently located off I-84 (exit 70)" according to one camper, making it accessible for day trips from South Hadley.

Swimming options: Wells State Park Campground provides lake swimming with designated beach areas. As one visitor noted, "It's red clay instead of sand. I knocked a star because I think the swimming area could be bigger and raked."

Fall foliage viewing: Northampton / Springfield KOA offers prime leaf-peeping opportunities. A camper mentioned, "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides."

Fishing access: Multiple ponds are available for fishing throughout the region. At Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park, "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!"

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded options. At Wilderness Lake Park, "the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring."

Seasonal activities: Sunset View Farms provides entertainment during peak season. A visitor mentioned, "Saturday night entertainment, pond, pool, clean" as highlights of their stay.

Free water equipment: Some campgrounds provide complimentary watercraft. At Wilderness Lake Park, one camper appreciated that they had "free kayaks/canoes for the lake" which adds value without additional cost.

Trail systems: Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest offers extensive hiking options. A camper reported, "Hiking is pretty awesome from the campsite. The hike from site 44 to the fire tower is only 0.6 miles and gets you a great view."

What you should know

Price differences: Out-of-state visitors should prepare for significant price differentials. At Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground, one camper complained about "paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane."

Payment methods: Some campgrounds have limited payment options. At Wilderness Lake Park, visitors should note they are "cash or Venmo only so be prepared."

Site challenges: Not all sites are easily accessible. At Wells State Park, a camper described their experience: "We unexpectedly arrived at the campground around 10pm, after a long and grueling day on the road. The site seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway."

Staff responsiveness: Management styles vary significantly. At Partridge Hollow Campground, some report positive experiences with "simple clean friendly family run campground," while others had cancellation issues.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park offers numerous options for children. According to one visitor, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing... also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'."

Weekend entertainment: Some campgrounds provide unique attractions on weekends. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, "They had a Halloween/trick or treat night, fire truck rides it's very kid friendly."

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. One camper at Wilderness Lake Park appreciated that there were "cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating" where parents could relax while supervising children.

Site selection for families: Look for pull-through sites when possible. At KOA Northampton/Springfield, a camper noted, "We stayed in the cabins and they were clean, and we liked our proximity to the pool," highlighting the convenience of strategically chosen accommodations.

Tips from RVers

Site terrain: Many campgrounds near South Hadley have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. At Partridge Hollow Campground, one RVer noted, "The way in is very twisty and hilly. Was a challenge for our 33' towing a car but we made it!"

Seasonal site availability: Westover ARB Military FamCamp provides year-round options for eligible military personnel. A camper explained, "Open year round. Water is turned off October 15-April 15. Water available from rest room spigot. You will need at least 25' hose."

Hookup limitations: Be aware of specific utility configurations. At Wells State Park, a reviewer noted, "There are no hook-ups here, but the sites are large, well spaced, and shaded," making it better suited for self-contained units or those prepared for dry camping.

Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in terms of proximity. At KOA Northampton/Springfield, a camper mentioned, "We didn't like being right on top the other rvs, our sewer pipe was in front of my neighbors picnic table," highlighting the close quarters at some facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near South Hadley, Massachusetts?

For excellent camping options near South Hadley, consider October Mountain State Forest Campground, which offers peaceful hillside campsites with three distinct sections for RVs, tents, and yurts. Another top choice is Wells State Park Campground in Sturbridge, which features updated shower facilities, excellent hiking trails, and activities like swimming and fishing at Walker Pond. Both campgrounds provide a mix of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, making them ideal base camps for exploring Western Massachusetts.

What camping places are available within 30 minutes of South Hadley?

Within a 30-minute drive of South Hadley, you'll find Northampton / Springfield KOA near Westhampton, offering drive-in sites with amenities like water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. Westover ARB Military FamCamp near Chicopee is another option for those with military connections. For a more rustic experience, check out DAR State Forest Campground near Williamsburg, which offers boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites.

Where can I find RV rentals in South Hadley, Massachusetts?

While South Hadley itself has limited RV rental options, nearby RV-friendly campgrounds often maintain partnerships with rental companies. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park in Granville and Partridge Hollow Campground in Monson are good starting points for rental information. Both campgrounds are big-rig-friendly and may provide recommendations for local RV rental services. Alternatively, check with regional outdoor recreation retailers or search online rental marketplaces for peer-to-peer RV rentals in the greater Springfield/Northampton area.