Best Campgrounds near Washington, MA

Washington, Massachusetts serves as a base for exploring several campgrounds and outdoor recreation areas in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts. October Mountain State Forest Campground, located 10 miles south near Lee, provides tent and RV camping with both wooded and open meadow sites. The surrounding area includes a mix of state forest campgrounds and private facilities like Fernwood Forest Campground in nearby Hinsdale, which maintains sites for both tent and RV campers. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with varied accommodation types including basic tent sites, RV hookups, and even yurts at some locations.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence the camping experience in western Massachusetts, with most facilities closing during winter months. October Mountain State Forest Campground typically operates from mid-May to mid-October, while nearby private campgrounds may have similar seasonal restrictions. Elevation changes throughout the Berkshires create microclimates that affect temperature and precipitation patterns. Several campgrounds provide access to extensive trail systems, including connections to the Appalachian Trail. "The trails were completely perfectly maintained with some 2x6 boards over the muddy bits so our boots didn't get wet," noted one visitor about October Mountain State Forest.

Campers frequently mention the variety of site types available in the region, from open meadow sites to more secluded wooded locations. Fernwood Forest Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its cleanliness and privacy, with one visitor highlighting "large sites with trees give lots of privacy." Some campgrounds have distinctive characteristics that may affect the camping experience - October Mountain campers sometimes mention the background hum from a nearby electrical station, particularly at sites closer to the entrance. The campgrounds surrounding Washington provide good access to regional attractions including hiking trails, fishing spots on the Housatonic River, and scenic drives through the Berkshire Mountains, making them popular bases for exploring the wider area.

Best Camping Sites Near Washington, Massachusetts (166)

    1. Mt. Greylock Campsite Park

    30 Reviews
    Lanesborough, MA
    14 miles
    +1 (413) 447-9419

    $40 - $70 / night

    "Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."

    "Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"

    2. October Mountain State Forest Campground

    16 Reviews
    Lenox Dale, MA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 243-1778

    $17 - $55 / night

    "I tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts. The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside."

    "Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors."

    3. Fernwood Forest Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hinsdale, MA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 655-2292

    "Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area. We’ll certainly go again the future."

    4. Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Lanesborough, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 442-3754

    $39 - $95 / night

    "It's a compact,clean campground tucked at the end of a quiet neighborhood street, within walking distance to a lake. Many of the RV site are occupied by seasonal campers, and the sites are well-kept."

    "It’s located off a dead end street . There is a lame right down the street. They have cabins, tent sites and everything sites. Have a small camp store. But downtown Pittsfield very close by."

    5. Pittsfield State Forest Campground

    9 Reviews
    Hancock, MA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 442-8992

    $14 - $35 / night

    "Sites 1-9 are located near Berry Pond and are serviced by a pit toilet. The rest are about 1.5 miles south on the loop road."

    "Stayed in a campsite near the road and the brook. It was clean and quiet. The road was right next to the site, but most drivers were respectful and drove slow."

    6. Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation

    15 Reviews
    New Ashford, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 499-4262

    $8 - $35 / night

    "We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby (vincinity camping allowed)."

    "The site was clean, dry, and a nice walk off the main trail. The staff was friendly as well. We hikes around during the days and saw some spectacular views."

    7. Northampton / Springfield KOA

    12 Reviews
    Southampton, MA
    18 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"

    8. 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!"

    9. Beartown State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Great Barrington, MA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 528-0904

    $14 / night

    "A pretty spot near the Berkshires. This spot has rustic hikes and good swimming, plus relatively secluded campsites."

    10. Spacious Skies Woodland Hills

    7 Reviews
    West Stockbridge, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 392-3557

    $29 - $999 / night

    "The staff was helpful, the site was pretty and there are so many places to hike and the best of the Berkshires so close by."

    "However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow.Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I."

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Recent Reviews near Washington, MA

655 Reviews of 166 Washington Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Hinsdale Campground At Thicket Hill Village

    Great quiet place!!

    I stayed at the camp for about 2 months while working up in NH. And it was wonderful big pool and playground for the kids. Plenty of trails close to everything you need. Full hookup site was awesome

  • M
    Oct. 26, 2025

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds HORRIBLE STAFF

    I don’t normally write reviews especially a negative one. We had a very upsetting experience at North-South Lake. We drove over two hours to visit my husband’s childhood campground for the first time with our three kids(ages 5, 7, and 9). When we arrived at the entrance, we were asked if it was a day visit, and we said yes, we were only staying for the day. We paid the fee, received a map, and drove in. My husband was so excited to finally share this place and create memories with our children. Looking for a place to park, we thought we were lucky to find an empty campsite in one of the loops where he used to camp as a child.

    We parked the car hoping to enjoy the view of the lake, take a walk, and maybe make the kids a couple of s’mores before heading home.

     At around 2:15–2:30 p.m., the “SUPERVISOR” in the white Kia approached us in an extremely rude and nasty manner, speaking as if we were committing a serious crime and comparing our situation to“sleeping in someone else’s hotel room.” She asked us if we had a reservation; we said no. She said,“Someone else reserved this spot.” We were very apologetic, embarrassed, and immediately put our stuff in the car. I said they could have told us; we would have moved right away. I’m sorry. 

    She said,“They aren’t supposed to talk to you; that’s why they send me here.” She told us we had ten minutes to leave, waited there while we put our chair, blanket, and s’more cookies in the car, and refused our 9-year-old daughter access to the bathroom while we packed up our three things, and even followed us out of the loop to make sure we didn’t park elsewhere. My daughter came to us crying because the lady told her she couldn’t use the bathroom and had to get in the car. Well, she had an accident in the car right as we were pulling out. 

    We were mortified and apologetic. My husband even offered to leave the firewood we had just purchased for the next campers, but she was dismissive and harsh about that as well. 

    The following day, I called and asked to speak with a manager to explain how we were treated. The manager was just as unfriendly and miserable sounding as the supervisor. I was told they had been looking for us“for hours” and that it’s“common sense” not to park in a campsite. She actually said it’s considered trespassing. So, a friendly warning for first-time visitors: Apparently, if you don’t know that“day use” doesn’t mean“park in any empty campsite,” just for the day, you’re officially a trespassing criminal, at least according to the manager. 

    Reading the website now, I see that check-in for people with reservations is at 2 p.m., which was the time we were trying to make a small fire, so unless someone left their site and returned, it’s unclear how they could have been looking for us“for hours.” We were right there at 2pm. 

    The website also states: Day Use• Anyone who is not camping is a day-user. Day-use hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Day-users are not allowed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

    We were not camping but didn’t realize we couldn’t park in an empty campsite. I think“common sense” would be to inform DAY USE visitors at the ENTRANCE to use public parking, especially for families or first-time visitors who may not be camping experts. Bottom line: this was my husband’s childhood family spot. We just wanted to take a beautiful fall drive and have a special day with our kids. 

    We understand now that we needed to reserve the parking spot ahead of time, and it was an honest misunderstanding. I would have even offered to pay for the campers’ stay for their trouble. What we wish for is that the staff had approached us respectfully and explained the situation instead of treating us like criminals. Imagine being such a miserable person and working in such a BEAUTIFUL and peaceful place for families. 

    This was meant to be a special family day, honoring memories of my father-in-law and creating new ones with our children. Instead, it became stressful and humiliating. Sadly, this is what our children will remember about the day and about North South Lake

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    Great State Forest Campground

    Austin Hawes (also known as American Legion State Forest/Campground) is a great little place in a beautiful part of the State. They have cabins if you want some of the creature comforts, as well as sites suitable for tents or campers. Have camped here before in tents and a pop up, it's right on the Farmington River, so we have gone tubing down the river, swimming and fishing as well. The bathrooms have showers and flush toilets, there are hiking trails in and near the campground, and stores not too far. Sites vary in size and privacy.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    Nah

    If you want to feel like you are camping in the middle of a lawless low income housing project, this is the place for you. We camped next to a woman with 2 pit bulls, which was surprising, given the "no dogs allowed" rule, and were surrounded by people partying despite the "no alcohol" rule. Teens congregate in the bathroom so they could charge their devices but did not appreciate you being there to use the bathroom they clearly took over, and even though it's 2025, I still prefer no boyfriends hanging out in the women's bathroom. Call me whatever. Used to camp here years ago, clearly it has gone downhill. Park Ranger? What's that?

  • 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.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.


Guide to Washington

Camping near Washington, Massachusetts, offers a great escape into nature with plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails in the area. Many campers enjoy the scenic hikes, with one reviewer noting, "The trails were completely perfectly maintained with some 2x6 boards over the muddy bits so our boots didn't get wet" at October Mountain State Forest.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in local lakes and rivers. One camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds mentioned, "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river."
  • Swimming: Take a dip in the nearby lakes. A visitor at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park said, "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A reviewer at Woodford State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! the nicest I've seen yet."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites with good privacy. One camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground noted, "The sites offered medium privacy. Site 33 was built into a slope in the hill."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park shared, "Pat and Gordon are incredibly welcoming hosts."

What you should know:

  • No Same-Day Reservations: Some campgrounds, like October Mountain State Forest, do not allow same-day reservations or walk-ups, so plan ahead.
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for minimal cell service in many areas. A camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground mentioned, "I had basically no cell service with Verizon."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Bears are known to visit some campgrounds. A reviewer at North-South Lake Campground shared, "There are bears that visit the campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for children. A family at Jamaica State Park Campground enjoyed, "The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads."
  • Plan for Rain: Be ready for sudden weather changes. One camper at Wells State Park Campground noted, "We did run into a BIT of a storm (more monsoon) when we were on our way back from a brewery visit."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially in wooded areas. A visitor at Wells State Park Campground warned, "The mosquitoes here were something out of a soviet lab."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds mentioned, "The lots are large and nicely wooded with working full hookups."
  • Road Conditions: Be cautious of tight roads and tree branches. One RV owner at Wells State Park Campground noted, "The driveway to site 38 was a mess. Tree limbs and brush invaded the drive."
  • Amenities Availability: Check what amenities are available before booking. A visitor at Camping On The Battenkill appreciated, "Bathrooms were well lit and clean."

Camping around Washington, MA, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a quiet spot or a family-friendly environment. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Washington, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Washington, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Washington, MA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Washington, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Washington, MA is Mt. Greylock Campsite Park with a 4.6-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Washington, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Washington, MA.

What parks are near Washington, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Washington, MA that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Tully Lake.