Here are some of the best camping sites in Massachusetts; kayak, canoe and spend a night in nature - masslive.com

2022-05-28 02:30:19 By : Mr. Scott Zhai

After a brisk bone-chilling New England winter produced record-tying amounts of snow, keeping most Bay State residents stuck indoors earlier this year, people are looking to head outside to become one with nature now that the weather’s started heating up.

Anyone in search of a break away from technology this summer can visit one of Massachusetts’ many state and privately-owned campsites.

Families can set up shop at one of the many RV and tent camping sites at the Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest (DAR) in Goshen, right next to refreshing Upperhighland Lake.

Rather camp in an area full of hiking trails? Take a trip to Mount Greylock in Lanesborough, perk your tent up at the base of the mountain and prepare to hike up to the highest peak in Massachusetts.

Grab a tent, sleeping bags, some marshmallows and your best campfire stories for a trip to some of Massachusetts’ best campsites this summer:

Prospect Mountain campgrounds in Granville.

Located at the foot of the Berkshires, 30 minutes away from downtown Springfield, the Prospect Mountain Campground encompasses two lakes around its woodland camping area. Campground staff also host activities such as hayrides, minigolf, arts and crafts, bingo and family dances. People are encouraged to bring their own tents and RV’s to the campsite. Log cabins are also available to rent, visit the Prospect Mountain Campground website for more information on pricing.

The Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest (DAR) is a 51-site campground around the ridge of the Upper Highland Lake. DAR has 1,020 acres that include 15 miles of trails for hikers of all experience levels, including an accessible trail and a Fire Tower with a great mountain view. Visitors are able to fish, swim around the sandy beach area and paddle and kayak out into the middle of the lake. Anyone interested in reserving a pet-friendly campsite or one of their many barbecue pits can do so on the DAR website.

The top of Mount Greylock reaches the highest peak in Massachusetts.

Mount Greylock State Reservation is one of the best camping spots for hikers. The campsite features 27 camping sites along the base of the mountain packed with picnic tables, fire rings, hiker shelters, bear-proof food storage lockers and solar-powered composting toilets. Campers can choose one of the mountain’s many trails to reach the top of the mountain, the highest peak in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. Mountain staff said you can see as far as 90 miles away at the top of the mountain on a clear day. Campsite pricing can be viewed here.

AutoCamp provides a luxurious pet-friendly camping experience to its Cape Cod residents and visitors. Guests are welcome to stay in one of their modern 31-foot, bright metal-exterior airstream mobile homes. The RV is fully furnished and equipped with a kitchenette “luxury” line robes and bath towels, mini-refrigerator, microwave and glassware. The campsite also offers luxury tents that come furnished with a king-size bed and an entire camp-side suite full of hotel-style amenities. Indoor and outdoor firepits are packed into most of the mobile suites.

In terms of outdoor adventures, visitors can travel to Long Pond Forest and bird watch, learn about foraging from campsite staff and bike ride to Woods Hole, a unique beachside location that overlooks the Cape’s Buzzard Bay.

Autocamp Cape Cod campsite bar.

The campsite also has its own bar. Lobster Rolls, crab rolls and other cuisine are also served at surrounding restaurants around the site. More information on the campsite and pricing details can be found here.

Erving State Forest hosts 27 campsites around Laurel Lake in Erving. The site is great for anyone interested in mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The camp has multiple grill stations, picnic areas and showers. There are also eight miles of forest trails throughout the oak, hemlock and maple 4,500-acre woodland area. Information on camp pricing can be found on the website.

Wells State Park in Sturbridge.

A 1400-acre oak-hickory forest and northern hardwood forest encompassing Walker Pond, Wells State Park offers 12 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding for its campers. One of the site’s most notable trails leads to the cliffs of Carpenter Rocks, named after John Carpenter, who built and operated a sawmill near the state park. Campsites are pet-friendly and can be reserved on this website.

Sutton Falls Camping Area is a 60-acre activity-centric campsite set up around Aldrich Mill Pond. The site provides a great space for those looking for a smaller-scale woodland retreat. Campers are welcome to swim at the site’s two beach areas, rent boats, fish, hike in the surrounding woods and play in their game rooms and sports courts. Campsite rates and pricing can be found here.

Sodom Mountain Campground in Southwick allows campers to explore its 250-acre area packed with multiple hiking trails. People are allowed to bring tents and sleeping bags for a more traditional camping experience or large RV’s if they’re looking for a more domestic camp trip. The site also includes a swimming pool, mini-golf, basketball, large playground, game room, pavilion/lodge, as well as DJs, Bingo and BBQs on the weekend. Information on the campsite’s pricing can be found on its website.

Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort pool area.

Voted one of the best RV campsites in the country by USA Today, this pet-friendly RV outdoor camping resort area is 30 miles away from Boston and 5 miles away from Gillette Stadium. Normandy Farms has 23 miles of trails that go through F. Gilbert Hills State Forest in Foxborough. Dozens of activities, including disc golf, bike park, swimming, and a dog park, are available for campers. Normandy Farms has hundreds of campsites and lodging locations, visit their website for reservation and accommodation information.

Tully Lake Campground in Royalston.

A tent-exclusive campsite enclosed around the 200-acre Tully Lake in Royalston, Tully Lake Campground is a perfect site for those seeking a traditional camping experience. Individuals are allowed to set up camp inland or around the lake’s waterfront. Campers can hike to overlooks and waterfalls, mountain bike a 7.5-mile-long mountain bike trail, fish off the waterfront or relax underneath the shade provided by pine trees. Tully Lake Campground staff said reservations are being booked out for the summer, they urge people to reserve their campsite now before it’s too late. Reservations can be booked here.

Have a favorite campsite that didn’t make the list? Email tsmith@masslive.com

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