Camping/outdoorsy-ness in western Mass (or nearby)

June 10, 2017 5:19 PM

My dad will be working in Albany for the next few weeks. I live in Providence. Can you recommend a spot for us to meet up, camp, hike and otherwise be outdoorsy?

Western Mass seems like the most logical spot to minimize driving for everyone, but I'm not against making one of us drive up to, say, 3 hours?

We are all pretty outdoorsy, more remote is probably better, we like hiking and we like mountains. We will probably be car camping just for a Saturday night weekend trip. If they were closer to Albany, we'd definitely head to the White Mountains. I was thinking of the Adirondacks or Northern Vermont up by Stowe, but they're kind of a haul from Providence. Is there anywhere in Western Mass or elsewhere that would fit the bill?

posted by geegollygosh to Travel & Transportation around Hatfield, MA (9 answers total)

I have loved my time on Mt. Greylock. (Bonus, if you're into that sort of thing, is good beer and art in North Adams.)
posted by minervous at 5:42 PM on June 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I also really love Mt. Greylock. There are several camping areas on or adjacent to the mountain (plus a rustic lodge at the summit). That said it's still pretty close to three hours drive from Providence.

There are some nice spots in the Berkshires further south (i.e. closer to Albany and more like two hours from Providence) as well - Beartown State Forest, Monument Mountain, and October Mountain State Forest - but to me Greylock is more mountain-y feeling than the southern Berkshires.
posted by mskyle at 6:27 PM on June 10, 2017

Yeah, you probably want the Northern Berkshires. There isn't any car camping on Mount Greylock itself, but this page lists a few nearby parks with car camping options. I'd recommend Mohawk Trail State Forest as particularly scenic; it's not huge, but for a weekend trip it'd work well.
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:03 PM on June 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Go to the Berkshires. I'm not a fan of Mt Greylock unless you like hiking to tops of mountains to find everyone who just drove to the top lounging around. There are lots of other options though - look around/near Williamstown for a campsite. And it's the theater festival right now in Williamstown - you can take in a show one evening and then head back to your campsite.
posted by Toddles at 9:02 PM on June 10, 2017

Came in to say Mt. Greylock because it is THE BEST car camping, and there are sites you can hike into as well, and really fun day hikes from camp. I like the top, I like seeing thru hikers on the AT stopping at the lodge at the top. I like Mefite Toddles, and this opinion is not meant to take anything away from theirs ;))

I would be with you there, if I could. Damn I miss Mt Greylock.
posted by jbenben at 11:15 PM on June 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

There are cabins at Taconic State Park, near Copake Falls, NY. It's a lovely base for hiking to Bash Bish Falls and the surrounding hills, walking distance to a lovely old quarry swimming hole and shaded trails for bike riding.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:28 PM on June 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Bash Bish Falls are great - good to know there are cabins! Wow!

I just called and confirmed Mt Greylock no longer has car camping, so borrow a dolly from a friend, park in the designated lot and walk your stuff into a campsite. It's only about a mile on what I assume is the road you used to be able to drive on. I still can't say enough good about their campsites, I'm certain it's even nicer without cars.
posted by jbenben at 8:35 PM on June 11, 2017

Merck Forest is a little north of western mass, but is really terrific.
posted by entropone at 6:38 AM on June 12, 2017

Savoy Mountain State Park in the Berkshires is the park my spouse's family always camped at. MassParks has a list of campground by region; here's Western Mass.
posted by carrioncomfort at 9:01 AM on June 12, 2017 [2 favorites]