Camping areas surrounding South Lee, Massachusetts offer diverse accommodations within the scenic Berkshire Mountains region, where elevations range from 950 to 2,000 feet. The camping season typically runs May through October, with average summer temperatures reaching 80°F during the day and dropping to 55°F at night. Most campgrounds in this area feature wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy and access to regional hiking trails.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming and boating options with equipment rentals available. One camper notes, "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campgound. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."
Hiking trails: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides access to multiple hiking trails, including the popular Bash Bish Falls path. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible," a visitor shared.
Fishing opportunities: Rudd Pond Area at Taconic State Park is known for largemouth bass fishing. A camper reports, "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water."
Stargazing: Areas with minimal light pollution create prime stargazing conditions. A visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground observed, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer wooden platforms for tents, which provide level surfaces and protection from wet ground. One camper at Taconic State Park mentioned, "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!"
Clean facilities: Fernwood Forest Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Clean, quiet and well maintained. Only downside is the showers are literally in the same space as the pooper stalls in the washroom. Washroom incredibly clean though," reports one visitor.
Spacious wooded sites: Campgrounds in this region typically feature tree cover for shade and privacy. A Fernwood Forest camper noted, "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet."
Nearby amenities: Most campgrounds are within short driving distance of grocery stores and small towns. A Lake Taghkanic visitor mentioned, "Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler and refilling our beers."
What you should know
Varying site privacy: Site locations affect privacy levels significantly across the region. A camper at October Mountain State Forest Campground warned, "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. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Weather preparation: The Berkshire region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. "The sites are all dirt and when it rains, some sites can become muddy or even underwater," according to multiple visitor reports.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings with no same-day reservations permitted. "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed," reports an October Mountain visitor.
Weekend crowds: Proximity to population centers means weekends bring more visitors. A Taconic State Park camper advised, "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water areas: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park offers multiple water recreation options. "Prospects mountain is a great 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," a visitor shared.
Recreation facilities: Many campgrounds offer family activities beyond nature exploration. At Prospect Mountain, "They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!"
Rainy day options: Some campgrounds provide indoor alternatives for inclement weather. A Lake Taghkanic visitor noted, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season which was when we were there."
Playground access: Several sites feature play equipment for children. "There is a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming," according to a Taconic State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park accommodates different RV sizes but terrain can be challenging. "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."
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of service. A visitor to Interlake RV Park reported, "This year the most basic site with water costs $46; add electric on up to sewer and cable tv and you'll pay as much as $60/night."
Road conditions: Access roads to RV sites vary in quality throughout the region. "The road is a loop but shares a long stretch of where traffic goes in both directions. It made for a busy road," noted an Mt. Greylock camper.
Camping near attractions: RV camping near South Lee positions visitors within driving distance of regional attractions. One camper mentioned, "It was convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson."
