The Berkshire Mountains around Worthington, Massachusetts reach elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Campgrounds in this region are predominantly seasonal, operating from May through mid-October. The hilly terrain features a mix of hardwood forests and small lakes that support diverse camping experiences.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers catch and release fishing on a calm lake with low light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," notes camper Seth K. The park also rents boats for fishing access.
Swimming options: The beach at Lake Taghkanic State Park provides a clean swimming area with safety measures. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," reports Mellisa T. Lifeguards are typically on duty during peak summer months.
Hiking access: Rudd Pond Area at Taconic State Park connects directly to longer trails. "There is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," explains Katherine P. The nearby Bash Bish Falls trail offers a moderate 2-mile round trip hike to Massachusetts' highest waterfall.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms that help during wet conditions. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" shares Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic State Park. Platforms are particularly valuable during the region's frequent summer thunderstorms.
Clean facilities: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park maintains well-kept bathhouses. "The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great," notes Rebecca L. Many campers mention the maintenance standards at campgrounds throughout the region.
Privacy between sites: Fernwood Forest Campground offers secluded camping spaces. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements," reports Rebecca B. The wooded setting creates natural separation between campsites.
What you should know
Elevation challenges: Some campgrounds have significant elevation changes that affect site access. Mt. Greylock Campsite Park has terrain features that can complicate setup: "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers," explains Kim R.
Seasonal operations: Nearly all campgrounds close by mid-October. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park operates "May 1 to Columbus Day," while Thousand Trails Sturbridge runs "April 10 to October 25." Winter camping options are extremely limited in this region.
Site variability: Quality can differ significantly within the same campground. "Just a few things to be aware of, however. The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking," notes Kim R. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts provides recreation options for children. "The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!" reports Becca A. Children's play areas are available at several campgrounds.
Weekend activities: Prospect Mountain Campground schedules regular family events. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," explains Sandra S. These structured activities typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Swimming options: Lake access provides natural swimming opportunities. "We had a great time. Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails," notes Mary-Kate L. about Lake Taghkanic State Park. Most lake beaches have designated swimming areas with roped boundaries.
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability concerns: Verify power stability before booking at certain rv parks near Worthington, Massachusetts. "Although the campground itself has amazing potential and some fantastic folks, the management has no interest in actually making it better. The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses," warns Glenn M. about Camp Coldbrook.
Site access challenges: Taconic State Park - Rudd Pond accommodates RVs but with limitations. "Camper van off the grid. Large site with privacy, but not many campers early season. New bath house with multiple shower rooms," shares Lisa S. Many campgrounds around Worthington have narrow access roads with tight turns.
Campground connectivity: Cell service and WiFi access vary significantly. "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls," explains Mara S. about Thousand Trails Sturbridge. Working remotely from RV sites near Worthington requires planning for connectivity limitations.
