Here are some of the best camping spots in Massachusetts; kayaking, canoeing and spending a night in nature

After a freezing winter in New England produced record amounts of snow, keeping most Bay State residents stuck indoors earlier this year, people are looking to get outside to be one with nature now that the weather has started to warm up.

Anyone looking for a break from the tech this summer can visit one of Massachusetts’ many public and private campgrounds.

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

Prefer to camp in an area full of hiking trails? Take a trip to Mount Greylock in Lanesborough, pitch your tent at the base of the mountain, and prepare to scale Massachusetts’ highest peak.

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

Mount Prospect Campground

City: Granville

Located in the foothills of the Berkshires, 30 minutes from downtown Springfield, Prospect Mountain Campground features two lakes around its wooded camping area. Campground staff also organize activities such as wagon rides, mini golf, crafts, bingo, and family dances. People are encouraged to bring their own tents and motorhomes to the campsite. Log cabins are also available for rent. Visit the Prospect Mountain Campground website for pricing information.

Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest

City: Gochen

The Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest (DAR) is a 51-site campground around the crest of 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 fire tower with great mountain views. Visitors can fish, swim around the sandy beach, and paddle and kayak in the middle of the lake. Anyone interested in booking a pet-friendly campsite or one of their many BBQs can do so on the DAR website.

Mount Greylock State Reserve

City: Lanesborough

Mount Greylock State Preserve is one of the best campsites for hikers. The campground has 27 campsites at the base of the mountain filled with picnic tables, fire pits, 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. The mountain staff said you can see up to 90 miles at the top of the mountain on a clear day. Campsite prices can be viewed here.

AutoCamp

City: Cape Cod

AutoCamp offers a luxurious, pet-friendly camping experience to its Cape Cod residents and visitors. Guests are welcome to stay in one of their modern 31ft bright metal outdoor air mobile homes. The RV is fully furnished and equipped with a “luxury” line kitchenette, bathrobes and bath towels, mini-refrigerator, microwave and glassware. The campsite also offers luxury tents equipped with a king-size bed and a complete camping suite with hotel-style amenities. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces are packed into most mobile suites.

In terms of outdoor adventures, visitors can head to Long Pond Forest and watch birds, learn about foraging from campground staff, and cycle to Woods Hole, a unique location. on the beach overlooking Cape Buzzard Bay.

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

Erving State Forest

City: Erving

Erving State Forest is home to 27 campsites around Lake Laurel in Erving. The site is ideal for anyone interested in mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The camp has several grilling stations, picnic areas and showers. There are also eight miles of forest trails through the 4,500-acre oak, hemlock, and maple woodland area. Camp pricing information is available on the website.

Wells State Park

City: Sturbridge

A 1,400-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. The campsites accept pets and can be reserved on this site.

Sutton Falls Campground

City: Sutton

Sutton Falls Camping Area is a 60-acre, activity-focused campground set around Aldrich Mill Pond. The site offers an ideal space for those seeking a smaller scale woodland retreat. Campers are welcome to swim at the site’s two beaches, rent boats, fish, hike in the surrounding woods, and play in their game rooms and sports fields. Campsite rates and prices are available here.

Mount Sodom Campground

City: Southwick

Sodom Mountain Campground in Southwick allows campers to explore its 250-acre area replete with multiple hiking trails. People are allowed to bring tents and sleeping bags for a more traditional camping experience or large motorhomes if they are looking for a more domestic camp trip. The site also includes a swimming pool, mini-golf, basketball court, large playground, games room, pavilion/lodge, as well as DJs, bingo and BBQs on weekends. You will find information on the prices of the campsite on its website.

Normandy Farms Family Campsite

City: Foxborough

Voted one of the best RV campsites in the country by USA Today, this pet-friendly outdoor RV camping resort is 30 miles from Boston and 8 miles from Gillette Stadium. Normandy Farms has 23 miles of trails that run through the 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 accommodations, visit their website for booking and accommodation information.

Tully Lake Campground

City: Royalton

An exclusive tent campground surrounded by 200 acres of Tully Lake in Royalston, Tully Lake Campground is a perfect site for those looking for a traditional camping experience. Individuals are permitted to set up camp inland or around the waterfront of the lake. Campers can hike to viewpoints and waterfalls, mountain bike the 7.5-mile long ATV trail, fish along the water’s edge, or relax under the shade of pine trees. Tully Lake Campground staff said reservations have been booked for the summer, they are urging people to book their campsites now before it’s too late. Reservations can be booked here.

Do you have a favorite campsite that is not on the list? Email tsmith@masslive.com