As a term, “glamping” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016. It’s a portmanteau of the words “glamour” and “camping.” Although the word is fairly new, the concept itself isn’t. People have been “going to the country” for centuries both here and abroad. In the 21st century, glamping involves staying in opulent cabins, tents, yurts, or other bucolic structures. You’ll have beds, electricity, and even indoor plumbing in a lot of cases. Tents or yurts will be built upon wooden decks or other structures so that you wouldn’t have to sleep on the ground.
The state of Massachusetts provides outstanding glamping opportunities near the shore and in the mountains. You can even find glamping opportunities near Stockbridge, and it wouldn’t even have to be on Thanksgiving. In the center of the state, you can find an opportunity to glamp near Northampton, and to the east, there is Boston. The Berkshires present you with hiking trails and wonderful forest vistas. Out on the beaches of Cape Cod, there are crystalline lakes that the locals call ponds as well as exceptional ocean swimming and boating. And, of course, there is all of the history of the area in and around Boston, which dates back to the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620.
Top Glamping Sites in Massachusetts
Prospect Mountain Campground
Prospect Mountain Campground is in the outskirts of Northampton, and it’s also just 30 miles from Stockbridge. The campground features log cabins that sleep either four or six people and provide full kitchens, private bathrooms, and some solitude. You can also take part in the activities that take place in the campground throughout the year, which include “beer and pretzels” nights for adults, karaoke nights, and even games like “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
Foolhardy Hill
Near North Adams, there is Foolhardy Hill. It has cozy cabins and features a communal style designed to get people to mingle and make new friends. It’s only family-friendly if your children are 16 years of age or older, however, so plan accordingly. The campground is eco-friendly as all the lights in the cabins are solar-powered. You have to bring your own bedding, but the bunks are comfy!
Normandy Farms
Normandy Farms is not just a glamping campground; it’s an experience. This upscale glamping site sits on an extensive property in the Massachusetts woods between Cape Cod and Boston. You can rent one of their stunning trailers, yurts, safari tents, or cabins and settle in for a good time. That good time can include movie night at the creative arts center, disc golf at the 18-hole course, and evening constitutionals with your fur babies at the dog park. You can even blow off some steam at the fitness center. For a unique experience, bring your electric RC cars and trucks, and take a few laps around the campground’s wonderful RC track.
Bonnie Brae Campground
You cannot talk about the best glamping Massachusetts spots without a mention of Bonnie Brae Campground. Located in Pittsfield in the stunning Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, this cozy resort lies near numerous attractions and outdoor recreation, including antique shops, theater, fishing, art galleries, biking, hiking, and boating. The four sumptuous cabins include climate control, fridge, microwave, king-size bed, and Keurig coffee maker. The showers and bathrooms are communal as there is no water in the cabins.
Dunes’ Edge Campground
Located in Provincetown at the very end of Cape Cod, Dunes’ Edge Campground provides access to snug bungalow tents with full and twin beds. The campground has hot showers, full restrooms, outdoor cooking areas, and picnic tables. Both the ocean and Cape Cod Bay are just nearby for world-class swimming, boating, and whale watching.
Where to Glamp in Massachusetts
The best places to glamp in Massachusetts are along the coast or in the Berkshire Mountains. These two places offer contrasting experiences, and there’s nothing to say that you can’t glamp in one for a while and then move to the other to experience everything the state of Massachusetts has to offer glampers.
What to Bring When Glamping in Massachusetts
• Weather-appropriate clothing based upon the season you visit
• Plenty of water and food so that you can stock the fridge in your cabin or in your RV
• Cellphone signal booster
• Telescope for stargazing in areas that are off the beaten path
• Prepaid credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, both of which are easily replaced if they go missing
• Season-appropriate safety gear, such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for summer and parkas, scarves, and gloves for winter
• Broken-in hiking boots and walking sticks for plying the trails
• Mountain-biking safety gear
• Bedding for beds of different sizes
• List of every family member’s medications and the medications themselves
Massachusetts is a “four-season” state, so even in the offseason, you can still find places to ski, cross-country ski, and snowshoe. The fall foliage is spectacular every year, and the wildflowers in the spring give you terrific photographic opportunities. If you don’t already have an RV, then why not rent one to explore the great state of Massachusetts? In between fabulous glamping locations, you’ll have your accommodations with you, and you can get a taste for the RV life to see if it’s for you. RVshare is a fine partner to have in your corner as you can peruse the blog for all sorts of great information. One of the best ways to use RVshare is to discover more camping options in Massachusetts.
