Worthington, Massachusetts sits at an elevation of 1,400 feet in the western part of the state, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The area experiences significant temperature variations between day and night, especially during spring and fall camping seasons. Most campgrounds near Worthington operate from May through mid-October, with limited options available during the winter months.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing opportunities: October Mountain State Forest Campground offers easy access to nearby ponds and lakes. "Beautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October... Dogs are welcomed here! Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table," notes Cheryl B.
Geocaching adventures: Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground provides excellent geocaching opportunities. "We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome. FYI: This campground is in an area that has no cell reception for most carriers and there is no wi-fi," shares Cynthia K.
Summit views: Mount Greylock offers spectacular hiking with elevation gains. "Depending on the time of year, there are a couple of nearby waterfalls a short hike from the campground. Trails also leave here and head to the summit of Greylock or to the Stony Ledge Overlook," explains Jean C.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Fernwood Forest Campground receives high marks for site privacy. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet. Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area," shares Rebecca B.
Fire tower views: The short hike to the fire tower at DAR State Forest provides panoramic views of the region. "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. Hike back via the Long Trail and it's 1.6 Miles back," notes Alan.
Streamside camping: Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground offers waterside sites. "The sites are extremely close when down by the river, but the view is awesome. The road is right across the street but you cannot hear it at all and it is covered by the trees and sound of the rushing water," reports Jackie G.
What you should know
Pricing variations: Out-of-state visitors face higher fees at most state parks. "I don't mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane," warns Lucy P. about DAR State Forest.
Bear safety: Most state forest campgrounds have established bear protocols. "There might be bears, so there's a bear box to store all your stuff in when you are not using it. They do run dogs through the campground once a week or so to scare the poor critters away, but they say they have never had an issue in the last fifteen years," reports Alan.
Seasonal occupancy: Northampton/Springfield KOA has many permanent residents. "This is a residential park with older travel trailer residences. There was a nice back field area. The shower houses and toilets are very dated. I like the proximity to the city of North Hampton," notes Celeste C.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Peppermint Park Camping Resort offers structured recreation. "There were several activities planned for father's day weekend including a BBQ food truck, BINGO, corn hole, horseshoes, and kids crafts. There is also wifi, but the signal is not great," reports Rae-Ann W.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas for kids. "This is a great campground, overall. The campground is well kept, and quiet but the sites are very close together. There's plenty to do in the area and plenty of ways to get out and enjoy nature," writes Eammon C. about Mohawk Trail State Forest.
Pet-friendly camping with space: For families camping with dogs near Worthington, Massachusetts, Fernwood Forest provides ample room. "We've visited Fernwood Forest Campground twice and have been impressed with it both times. Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities," shares Rebecca B.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites requires careful site selection. "I was in site 28 with a teardrop camper. I could have used leveling blocks because it was hard to find a great spot that was level side to side. Sites 27 & 29 each seemed a little more level and 29 was larger," advises Jean C.
RV size limitations: Most campgrounds near Worthington accommodate smaller rigs better than large ones. "Nice campsites, nice facilities, nice forest! Not sure I'd try a really big rig here, but our little 16' trailer fit in great. I don't see any pull through sites, but I didn't see them all," notes Joe S. about DAR State Forest.
Hookup availability: Water and electric hookups are common, but full-service sites are limited. "Love Bonnie Brae - perfectly located for fishing and hiking and breweries - great grounds - quiet and extremely well kept. We stayed in 12 full hook up with a 27 ft slide travel trailer and it was a good size," reports Jenny C.
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