October Mountain State Forest in the Berkshires, Massachusetts

We spent Memorial Day weekend with Camper Dan in the Berkshires in Massachusetts.

The Berkshires is a region located in western Massachusetts and Connecticut that contains a range of the Appalachian Mountains. The area is packed with opportunities for outdoor activities as well as a vibrant visual and performing art culture.

The weather included a fair bit of rain but highlights included:

TIP: We borrowed a RTIC Cooler from a friend to test out the claims of keeping ice for 5-10 days (depending upon the model). The verdict: truth. We didn’t really fill ours with enough ice and temperatures weren’t much above 70° F but it worked wonders. Check out the models below or browse all the models here.

  • Viewing Bash Bish Falls (the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts) at Bash Bish Falls State Park. There is access from both Massachusetts and New York (entrances are about one mile apart).

*** PHOTOS OF BASH BISH FALLS COMING SOON ***

  • Ascending 720 feet to the summit of Squaw Peak at Monument Mountain. We chose to ascend via the steeper more strenuous Hickey Trail (the trail on the right; .83 miles up) and descend via Indian Monument Trail (the trail on the left; 1.51 miles down). At the summit we scrambled around on rocks and relished the view.

*** PHOTOS OF MONUMENT MOUNTAIN COMING SOON ***

Our 2017 inaugural Camper Dan experience in The Berkshires was great. Next time we’d love to see a performance at Tanglewood Music Center.

Accommodation:

TIP: Try Hipcamp to discover campgrounds (or list your own land!). Use this link to sign-up and receive $10 in Hipcamp credit towards your first booking!

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Our review and photos of October Mountain Campground can be found on Hipcamp under the accommodation link above. The review reads as follows:

The campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts. Each level has a bath house (3 toilet stalls and 1 shower in the lower level; it was run-down but clean enough). Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore. You’ll see many vehicles drive-by with boats or ATVs in tow as the state forest also has areas suitable for their use. Accessible from the campground are a few hiking trails. Monument Mountain is a popular hiking spot about 20 minutes away and Bash Bish Falls State Park is about 45 minutes away. Note: Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks.

May 25 – 29, 2017

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