Beartown State Forest

Overview

Brochure InfoBeartown's twelve campsites are very popular for campers seeking a smaller campground with great opportunities for swimming and hiking. There are no showers or flush toilets at this campground.Brochure Info - OrientationThe wooded sites are tucked into a gentle slope leading to 35-acre Benedict Pond. A few coveted sites are right on the shoreline of the pond. The 1.8 mile Benedict Pond Loop Trail is a must in any season.Brochure Info - RecreationDuring the warm months the pristine pond attracts swimmers, boaters and fishermen. An extensive network of trails on over 12,000 acres offers visitors a chance to glimpse deer, bobcat, fisher and other wildlife, including the park's namesake, the black bear. Throughout the park, brooks, beaver ponds, rich deciduous forest, flowering shrubs and wildflowers and fall foliage are plentiful. Great News! Beartown is one of the Department of Conservation and Recreation areas that offers All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Off Highway Motorcycle (OHM) riding. Learn more at: Off Highway Vehicle page or call (413) 358-2172. Hunting is permitted at Beartown State Forest and is subject to the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, which is the primary agency that oversees the state hunting program. For licensing and other important information please visit: MassWildlife and DCR's Hunting Page Winter Camping NO OFF SEASON CAMPING 2020-2021Brochure Info - Facilities and RestrictionsBeartown is a primitive campground and offers composting toilets, access to fresh water, but no showers or flush toilets. The twelve campsites are equipped with a fire ring, food storage locker and picnic table. There are no hookups or dumping facilities at this location. Specific to the facility: Black bears can be visitors to this campground. Bears are wild and can be dangerous. Keep all food, coolers, cooking supplies and equipment in the food storage lockers provided. Do not keep food or toiletries in your tent or camper. Please do not feed or approach bears, or any other wildlife. Please note cell service is limited at this location.Brochure Info - Nearby AttractionsWhile in the area, be sure to visit other DCR properties: East Mountain Reservation, Three Mile Pond Wildlife Management Area, Fountain Pond State Park, Otis State Forest, October Mountain State Forest, and Tolland State Forest.Key InfoSpecific to this facility: Black bears can be visitors to this campground. Bears are wild and can be dangerous. Keep all food, coolers, cooking supplies and equipment in the food storage lockers provided. Do not keep food or toiletries in your tent or camper. Please do not feed or approach bears. Please read the important information below, prior to making a reservation. Campsite Fees at Beartown State Forest $14 for MA resident / $40 for non-resident. There is a $4.50 non-refundable transaction fee for each reservation made. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Massachusetts state parks and campgrounds. Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood into or out of any DCR campground. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. Transportation of firewood or other wood products, may result in eviction. PLEASE NOTE THAT FIREWOOD SALES ARE BY CREDIT CARD ONLY. EFFECTIVE 2021, THE COST IS $7 PER BUNDLE. Check-in time is 1:00 to 9:00 pm during the summer season; check out by 11:00 am. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The use of generators is not permitted during quiet hours except for the purpose of operating a medical device. Reservation and Occupancy: Campers and/or camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Violators of the 14-day limit may have their reservation cancelled and be asked to leave the park. Reservations must be in the name of the primary occupant, who is at least 18 years of age. A photo ID is required at check- in and must match the name on the reservation. Campsite occupancy is limited to four adults, or two adults and the children in their care. Campsites are limited to two tents, or one tent and one trailer or RV, and two vehicles maximum (including tow trailers) per site. Reservations with departure dates outside the 4-month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made. Cancellations and changes will incur a $10 fee. Day of arrival cancellations require a phone call to the campground and will result in the loss of the first night's camping fee, plus the $10 cancellation fee. Reserved campsites will be held until 8:00 am on the day after your scheduled arrival date. If we are not contacted, your reservation will be no-showed resulting in no refund. Camping with Pets: Pets are permitted at most campgrounds and there is a limit of four pets per campsite. A current rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. Pets must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not permitted in state buildings or when camping in a yurt or cabin.Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionBeartown State Forest is located in the southern Berkshires in western Massachusetts. From East or West/MassPike (I-90): Take Exit 10 in Lee. Follow MA Rte. 102 west for 4.7 miles to Stockbridge. Turn left and follow U.S. Rte. 7 south for 6.1 miles to Great Barrington. Turn left and follow MA Rte. 23 east for 5.3 miles to Monterey. Turn left onto Blue Hill Road then follow the brown lead-in signs; 0.5 miles to park headquarters on left, or 2.2 miles to park entrance on right (Benedict Pond Rd.). From North or South/ Rte. 7: From US Rte. 7 in Great Barrington, take MA Rte. 23 east for 5.3 miles to Monterey. Turn left onto Blue Hill Road then follow the brown lead-in signs; 0.5 miles to park headquarters on left, or 2.2 miles to park entrance on right (Benedict Pond Rd.). Campground Address: 69 Blue Hill Road - P.O. Box 97 (intersection of Blue Hill Rd and Brett Rd) Monterey, MA 01245 Campground Phone Number: 413-528-0904 Season Date DescBeartown State Forest, Monterey, 413-528-0904 Off Season Camping NOT Available 2020-2021Booking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation Desc Please read our Fees and Cancellation Policies Reservations must be in the name of the primary occupant. Reservations with departure dates outside the 4-month maximum window cannot be changed or canceled until 18 days after the reservation was made. If you choose to cancel or change your reservation, a $10 fee will be charged. The reservation transaction fee is non-refundable. Refunds of $5 or less cannot be processed. If you leave early, please checkout at the contact station. Cancellations made on the day of arrival must be made by calling the campground and will result in the loss of the first night's camping fee plus a $10 cancellation fee. If you are unable to arrive on your scheduled arrival date, you must call the campground and let them know. Failure to contact the park by 8 a.m. the morning following your scheduled arrival date may result in your campsite being reassigned to another camper and forfeiture of fees paid.