Massachusetts' Berkshire region offers varied yurt camping options near Tyringham at 1,200 feet elevation. The area experiences distinct seasons with vibrant fall foliage and winter snow accumulation averaging 60-70 inches annually. While October Mountain's yurts are well-known, several other campgrounds within a 30-mile radius provide alternative glamping experiences throughout the camping season.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: The trail passes through nearby areas accessible from Taconic State Park. One visitor noted, "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."
Kayaking local ponds: Several campgrounds offer paddling opportunities. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, visitors appreciate "a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming." Another camper mentions the water amenities: "The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring. Wish I would have brought my fishing pole."
Stargazing: The Berkshires offer excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A Lake Taghkanic visitor shares, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Site selection can significantly impact your yurt camping experience near Tyringham. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, "Many of the sites (most of the ones on the periphery of the campground) are wooded and somewhat secluded, with 1-3 being the most secluded... We stayed in site 1, and we could barely see our neighbor's fire at night, because there were so many trees between us."
Balanced amenities: While seeking comfort, many campers appreciate basic amenities without overdevelopment. A Savoy Mountain visitor notes: "While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms."
Clean facilities: Prospect Mountain Campground maintains its infrastructure well. A visitor mentioned, "We arrived to our site, it was by the pond and our site was even raked clean." Another camper appreciated the "Great pool" and noted that "The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!"
What you should know
Bear precautions: Black bears are active in the region. At Savoy Mountain, "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country." Another camper warns, "Also beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty coverage. A Savoy Mountain camper reported, "I had a flicking bar of coverage at the high point of the campground on Verizon, but all you MIGHT be able to do is text. Head toward Florida, MA on Rt 2 and at the height of land, you'll have good coverage."
Seasonal differences: Woodland Hills offers different experiences throughout their May to October season. A spring visitor observed, "The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Many campgrounds offer structured activities for children. A visitor at Prospect Mountain Campground notes they have "activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy spotting local animals. At Savoy Mountain, hikers might encounter "some gorgeous views once you get to the top." Another camper mentioned how their kids enjoyed the "large clean pool" and "friendly campers."
Weather preparation: The Berkshires can experience significant temperature swings. A Northampton/Springfield KOA visitor reported on their fall visit: "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many RV sites have varying degrees of privacy and levelness. At White Pines Campsites, a camper noted, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
Check hookup details: Verify what utilities are available at specific sites. At Lone Oak, one camper advised to "be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges. At White Pines, "The picnic table was chained down so there weren't many options to set up having the fire pit and picnic table where they were."
