# Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock

> From Mount Tom, Northampton and Amherst via the Quabbin Reservoir and Deerfield west along Jacob’s Ladder, through Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge and Great…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-583-massachusetts-berkshires-pioneer-valley/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 312 km (194 mi) with 13 stops, from Mount Tom to Williamstown. About 3 h 28 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May–June and September. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $3 (MA). From Mount Tom, Northampton and Amherst via the Quabbin Reservoir and Deerfield west along Jacob’s Ladder, through Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington to Mount Greylock, North Adams and Williamstown: around 460 kilometres of river valley, mixed forest and Appalachian Trail in western Massachusetts.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 312 km (194 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 28 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 13 |
| Route | Mount Tom → Williamstown |
| States | MA |
| Best time to go | May–June and September |
| Tolls and vignettes | ≈ $3 |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-583-massachusetts-berkshires-pioneer-valley.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Mount Tom, Northampton and Amherst via the Quabbin Reservoir and Deerfield west along Jacob’s Ladder, through Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington to Mount Greylock, North Adams and Williamstown: around 460 kilometres of river valley, mixed forest and Appalachian Trail in western Massachusetts.*

## The spirit of the route

Western Massachusetts is New England without the coast: the Connecticut River Valley with its cornfields and farm stands, and behind it a chain of hills that rises ridge after ridge to the New York border. The route starts in the Pioneer Valley, where dinosaurs left footprints in red sandstone and colleges set the rhythm of the towns. At the Quabbin Reservoir, a landscape flooded from 1939 onwards lies under the water, and cormorants stand in front of it in the morning haze. Then US-20 climbs into the Berkshires as the Jacob’s Ladder Trail, through the Westfield River valley, past villages and the Appalachian Trail. In October, from your sliding door you see maples in orange and red, in the evening you hear the Housatonic rushing, and you smell wood smoke from the sites in the state forest. At the top of Mount Greylock everything is spread out before you: five states on a clear day, with church steeples and lakes in between.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Mount Tom (Holyoke) to Amherst (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** From Holyoke, head north on US-5 along the foot of the Mount Tom Range, through Easthampton to Northampton, then take MA-9 and the bridge over the Connecticut River to Hadley and Amherst. Two-lane town streets and suburban feeder roads, 25–45 mph, with heavy pedestrian traffic in the centres of Northampton and Amherst. Pure driving time is under an hour. From Northampton to the campground in DAR State Forest, the route runs around 25 to 30 kilometres west on MA-66 and MA-112 into the hills; the road climbs steadily but is wide enough for motorhomes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Mount Tom State Reservation: a basalt ridge above the Connecticut Valley with hiking trails and viewpoints, on a section of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. On a clear day Holyoke and the river valley lie far below. Nearby on US-5 is the Dinosaur Footprints Reservation (The Trustees of Reservations), where tracks are preserved in the reddish sandstone.
  - Northampton: a town centre with shops, cafés and the Smith College campus, whose botanic garden is worth a visit. Handy for campers: the Norwottuck Rail Trail, a cycle path on an old railway line, runs from Northampton across the river to Amherst – take the bike off the rack and skip the motorhome traffic in town.
  - Amherst: the Emily Dickinson Museum with the poet’s family home, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and Mount Holyoke Range State Park with the Notch Visitor Center on MA-116, from where trails lead up to the ridge.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** DAR State Forest in Goshen: a state campground on Moores Pond in mixed forest, 49 basic sites without hookups, a sanitary building with showers; according to user reports the dump station with a water point is not at the campground but at the park office (check the location on site). Season roughly May to October, reservations via the Massachusetts ReserveAmerica system; check the site length when booking, as larger rigs do not fit on every site.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Massachusetts State Parks and State Forests, camping is allowed only at the designated sites. There is no dispersed camping, and sleeping in your vehicle in reservation car parks, at roadsides and in the town centres of Northampton and Amherst is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Half a day on foot and by bike is enough for Mount Tom and Amherst; the motorhome stays on the edge of town or at the campground. Farm stands along MA-9 and MA-116 sell apples, cider and pumpkins in autumn. For topping up water and supplies, Northampton and Amherst are the best places before the hills.

### Stage 2: Amherst to Deerfield and Gill (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** From Amherst, take MA-9 east to Belchertown and the Quabbin Reservoir, then back to Amherst and north on MA-116 via Sunderland to Deerfield; as far as Gill the route follows US-5/10 and MA-2/2A along the Connecticut River. Two-lane, wide main roads, 25–35 mph in the villages. Pure driving time is about two hours, a whole day with sightseeing. The Quabbin Reservoir has a network of access points (gates) with car parks; vehicles may park there during the day only.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Quabbin Reservoir and Quabbin Park: the water reservoir for Boston was built from the 1930s, and four towns (Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott) were dissolved for it. The visitor centre is in Belchertown at the eastern end of Winsor Dam, and there are also the observation tower on Quabbin Hill and Enfield Lookout with a view over the water. Access is possible during the day only, and the trails are partly wide, unpaved forest roads.
  - Deerfield: Historic Deerfield with Old Main Street, 18th-century colonial-era houses and a museum. It recalls the 1704 raid on the settlement. Near South Deerfield is Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation with an observation tower; the summit road is narrow, so check access for large vehicles beforehand.
  - Turners Falls and Gill: the Great Falls Discovery Center on the Connecticut River explains hydropower, fish ladders and the history of the town; from Barton Cove in Gill a short path leads to the water, where you can launch canoes and kayaks.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Barton Cove in Gill: a campground run by the hydropower operator FirstLight on a bay of the Connecticut River, mostly tent sites, only two sites for small campers or pop-ups, no hookups, showers at the ranger station. Open only in the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day; closed in autumn. Unsuitable for large motorhomes – head instead for DAR State Forest (around 45 kilometres south-west) or Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont (around 35 kilometres west).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Quabbin, overnight stays, tents and open fires are strictly prohibited; the access points close at dusk, and rangers and police patrol. In the car parks of Historic Deerfield and in the region generally: no sleeping in your vehicle.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For getting to Quabbin, use the visitor centre in Belchertown, where you will find maps showing the access points and trail lengths. The paths are footpaths and forest tracks; swimming is prohibited, and separate rules apply to boats. If you want to drive further west on the Mohawk Trail (Route 2), you will find it in the CampingSpirit guide “Dunes, lighthouses and hairpin bends – by camper from Cape Cod over the Mohawk Trail into the Berkshires”.

### Stage 3: Gill to Lee (October Mountain) (approx. 140 km)

- **The drive:** From Gill, take I-91 south to Northampton, then via Easthampton and Southampton to Westfield and west on US-20: the Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway runs from Russell through the Westfield River valley at Huntington and Chester up to Becket and Lee. Two-lane country road with bends, climbs and wooded sections, 35–50 mph. The road opened in 1910 and is regarded as the first road built specifically for cars over a mountain range in the Berkshires. Pure driving time is around 2.5 hours; large vehicles travel slowly, so use the pull-outs. Fuel stations in Westfield and Lee, few in between.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Jacob’s Ladder Trail (US-20): viewpoints over the Westfield River valley, villages such as Huntington and Chester. In Chester is the Chester Railway Station Museum in a historic station building.
  - Becket: home to the Jacob’s Pillow dance centre with its summer festival; the high section of US-20 with forest and ponds is the scenic heart of the drive in autumn.
  - Appalachian Trail near Lee: the long-distance trail crosses US-20 here and runs north through October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Short sections can be walked as a day hike; the trail is free.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** October Mountain State Forest: a state campground in the forest near Lee. Sites for tents and motorhomes without electric hookups; showers and a dump station are available according to mass.gov. Season from mid-May to mid-October, reservations via the Massachusetts ReserveAmerica system; prices for non-residents are significantly higher, so check current rates on mass.gov. Clarify the vehicle length per site when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Massachusetts has neither National Forests nor BLM land; overnight stays are allowed only at designated sites. On the Appalachian Trail, hikers may stay overnight only at tent sites and shelters, not in a vehicle. Rest areas and fuel stations do not tolerate overnight stays.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up and stock up before Westfield; in the villages along Jacob’s Ladder the choice is thin. On downhill stretches, select a low gear instead of braking constantly. If you want to make time, use the Mass Pike (I-90) between Westfield and Lee, which is fully electronically tolled – licence-plate bill or E-ZPass.

### Stage 4: Lee to Great Barrington (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** From Lee, take US-20 to Lenox and Tanglewood, continue on MA-183 to Stockbridge, then south on US-7 through the Housatonic Valley to Great Barrington. Two-lane country road through small towns, 25–45 mph, slow in autumn and on summer event days. Pure driving time is under an hour, considerably more with the excursions. The towns are tight; with large vehicles, park on the edge of town.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lenox and Tanglewood: summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with a large lawn and concert hall. Even without a concert, a walk around the grounds is worthwhile. For the Gilded Age mansions and The Mount, see the CampingSpirit guide “Dunes, lighthouses and hairpin bends – by camper from Cape Cod over the Mohawk Trail into the Berkshires”.
  - Stockbridge and Chesterwood: the studio of the sculptor Daniel Chester French (Lincoln Memorial) with a garden in the hills; in Stockbridge, the Norman Rockwell Museum on the edge of town. The Monument Mountain grounds (The Trustees of Reservations) on US-7 offer a loop trail to the summit with far views.
  - Great Barrington and Bartholomew’s Cobble: the town has shops, restaurants and the Mahaiwe Theatre; in Sheffield, a few kilometres south, is Bartholomew’s Cobble, a marble outcrop on the Housatonic River with hiking trails and birdwatching.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Beartown State Forest in Monterey: a campground on Benedict Pond east of Great Barrington; sites, facilities and vehicle lengths are not stated on the state’s website, so clarify in advance if you have a large motorhome. Alternatively, go back to October Mountain State Forest, which works well as a base for the Housatonic Valley. Reservations via the Massachusetts ReserveAmerica system; check status and vehicle length beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington prohibit sleeping in vehicles on streets and in car parks; Tanglewood and the museums have visitor parking during the day only. Free camping in the state forest is not allowed.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Tanglewood events and the foliage weekend in October fill the roads and campgrounds; drive on weekdays or reserve early. Given the vehicle length, it makes sense to visit Lenox and Stockbridge by bike from the campground.

### Stage 5: Great Barrington to North Adams (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** North on US-7 through Stockbridge, Lenox and Pittsfield, then on to Lanesborough and the Mount Greylock visitor centre, then north on MA-8 via Adams to North Adams. Two-lane road, small-town traffic, Pittsfield with multi-lane sections; 25–55 mph. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours. According to mass.gov, the Mount Greylock ascents are closed to vehicles over 22 feet (around 6.7 metres); the visitor centre (30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough) can be reached by all vehicles.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Mount Greylock State Reservation: at around 1,064 metres the highest mountain in Massachusetts; on the summit are the Veterans War Memorial Tower and Bascom Lodge, which the Appalachian Trail passes. The summit roads are closed to vehicles over 22 feet; the visitor centre on Rockwell Road in Lanesborough is accessible to all vehicles, with hiking trails and information boards from there.
  - Ashuwillticook Rail Trail between Lanesborough and Adams: a cycle path on the old railway line along Cheshire Reservoir, a level trail for an afternoon by bike.
  - Pittsfield State Forest: Berry Pond, one of the highest-lying ponds in the state, and Balanced Rock, a boulder. The Berry Pond and Parker Brook camping areas are also in the state forest. Access roads in the state forest are narrow, so check access for large vehicles beforehand.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Historic Valley Campground of the town of North Adams at the foot of Mount Greylock on Notch Road: a municipal campground with around 100 sites, season roughly May to October. Electric and water hookups are listed in directories, but the information on the dump station contradicts itself; clarify hookups, dump station and space for long vehicles with the town of North Adams in advance. According to user reports, the approach runs through a residential area, so arrive in daylight. The 22-foot limit applies to the Greylock ascents, not explicitly to this campground. Alternatively, the Parker Brook or Berry Pond camping area in Pittsfield State Forest. Sperry Road Campground on Mount Greylock is a walk-in tent site only, not for motorhomes.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Mount Greylock: overnight stays only at the designated campgrounds, no vehicle camping in car parks. The roads are closed at night. In Pittsfield, Adams and North Adams, sleeping in a vehicle on public land is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Greylock ascents open seasonally only, roughly mid-May to the end of October, and close earlier in snow or ice; check the status on mass.gov or with the visitor centre. If your longer vehicle is not allowed up, park at the visitor centre and hike. The Mohawk Trail side with the Hairpin Turn and North Adams is covered in the guide “Dunes, lighthouses and hairpin bends – by camper from Cape Cod over the Mohawk Trail into the Berkshires”. Pittsfield offers the widest choice of supermarkets, fuel stations and garages between Springfield and Albany.

### Stage 6: North Adams to Williamstown (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From North Adams, take MA-2 west to the centre of Williamstown, with detours north (Clarksburg) and to the museums. A short, well-built stretch at 25–45 mph; in the centre of Williamstown, large vehicles park on the edge of town. Pure driving time is under half an hour; this stage is a sightseeing day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - MASS MoCA in North Adams: one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the USA, in a former factory complex on the Hoosic River. Spacious halls with installations; the complex is no place for a quick look.
  - Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams: a marble gorge with a natural bridge and paths by the water, short and walkable in half an hour.
  - Williamstown: the Clark Art Institute with a collection of French painting in a park with ponds and paths, next to the Williams College campus. The Appalachian Trail crosses MA-2 near North Adams; the Pine Cobble Trail from the edge of Williamstown leads to a rocky outcrop with a view over the Hoosac Valley.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Clarksburg State Park north of North Adams: a state campground on a pond near the Vermont border, with sanitary facilities; check hookups and vehicle lengths when booking, the season ends in autumn. Alternatively Historic Valley Campground in North Adams (see previous stage).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Williamstown and North Adams, sleeping in a vehicle in car parks and on streets is prohibited; this includes museum grounds. No dispersed camping in the state forest.
- **Insider tip for campers:** MASS MoCA and the Clark Art Institute have their own visitor car parks with access for cars; with a long motorhome, it is better to park on the edge of town and walk. From Williamstown, MA-2 leads west towards Troy (NY) and VT-7 north into Vermont.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Massachusetts allows camping in State Parks and State Forests only at the designated sites. There is no dispersed camping: the state has neither National Forests nor BLM land. Sleeping in your vehicle on roads, in reservation car parks and in supermarket car parks is prohibited or possible only with express permission; signs and patrols are common.
- Quabbin Reservoir, Mount Greylock and the Trustees of Reservations properties are day destinations: access dawn to dusk, no overnight stays, no open fires. Motorway rest areas are for taking a break – observe the signs on parking duration.
- Reservations: State Parks and State Forests via the Massachusetts reservation system (ReserveAmerica, accessed via mass.gov), Barton Cove via FirstLight Power. Non-residents pay significantly more at the campgrounds; check current rates on mass.gov. The America the Beautiful Pass is not valid at these state campgrounds.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Hipcamp; Park4Night is little used in this region. Many state campgrounds close from mid-October, and in November the choice is thin – check opening times in advance.
- Wildlife and health: black bears live in the Berkshires, so keep food and rubbish locked in the vehicle. Ticks transmit Lyme disease, so check yourself after every hike. In autumn and winter, hunting season applies on state land; observe the signs and wear conspicuous clothing (blaze orange) in the woods.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: according to the operator, October Mountain State Forest has a dump station; at other state campgrounds, clarify location and operation beforehand. Private campgrounds sometimes allow emptying for a fee.
- Drinking water: at taps on campgrounds and at visitor centres; tap water in the region is drinkable.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; discharging into woods or reservoirs is strictly prohibited, especially at Quabbin as a drinking-water protection area.
- Propane: fuel stations, DIY stores and campgrounds refill US bottles; European bottles are generally not refilled, so clarify adapters in advance.
- Electricity: the state forest campgrounds on the route mostly have no hookups; generators only during the designated hours and not at all campgrounds.
- Shopping and fuel: Northampton, Amherst, Westfield, Lee, Great Barrington, Pittsfield and North Adams; little on Jacob’s Ladder and around Quabbin.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates mostly 65 mph, US and state routes 35–55 mph, 25–30 mph in towns. Heavy fines for speeding in roadworks.
- Phone while driving: in Massachusetts, hand-held use is prohibited; only hands-free is allowed.
- Tolls: the Mass Pike (I-90) is fully electronic (E-ZPass or bill by licence plate); the route can largely be driven without tolls. With rental vehicles, clarify the rental company’s toll arrangements beforehand.
- Vehicle height and length: historic bridges and railway underpasses in New England are sometimes low; use a sat-nav with vehicle height. On the Greylock ascents, vehicles over 22 feet (around 6.7 metres) are barred.
- Storms and weather: in autumn, nor’easters bring heavy rain and wind, in winter snow and ice; the mountain roads (Greylock, Jacob’s Ladder) can be closed or slippery. Remnants of hurricanes are possible from August to October.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile coverage is good in the river valleys, but patchy on the heights, at Quabbin and in the state forest.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Tick remover, permethrin-treated clothing and repellent: ticks and Lyme disease are a concern in the forests along the whole route.
- High-visibility vest or orange clothing for hikes in autumn and winter: hunting season applies on state land.
- Bikes with a rack: the Norwottuck Rail Trail and Ashuwillticook Rail Trail are the most relaxed ways through towns and valleys.
- Tape measure or vehicle data to hand: the Greylock ascents are closed to vehicles over 22 feet, and site lengths count at the state campgrounds.
- Bear-proof storage for food and rubbish in the vehicle: black bears roam the Berkshires.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Mass.gov (DCR) – Mount Greylock State Reservation](https://mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation)
- [Mass.gov (DCR) – October Mountain State Forest](https://www.mass.gov/locations/october-mountain-state-forest)
- [Mass.gov (DCR) – Pittsfield State Forest](https://www.mass.gov/locations/pittsfield-state-forest)
- [Mass.gov (DCR) – Beartown State Forest](https://www.mass.gov/locations/beartown-state-forest)
- [FirstLight – Barton Cove and Munn’s Ferry Campgrounds](https://www.firstlightpower.com/stewardship/barton-cove-and-munns-ferry-campgrounds/)
- [Housatonic Heritage – Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, Route 20 in Becket & Lee](https://housatonicheritage.org/places/jacobs-ladder-scenic-byway-route-20-in-becket-lee-mass/)
- [Pioneer Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau – Quabbin Visitor Center](https://pioneervalley.org/things-to-see/quabbin-visitor-center/)
- [Stadt North Adams – Historic Valley Campground](https://www.northadams-ma.gov/visit_our_city/historic_valley_campground/index.php)
- [Campendium – Historic Valley Campground (Nutzerangaben)](https://www.campendium.com/historic-valley)
- [Campendium – DAR State Forest (Nutzerangaben)](https://www.campendium.com/dar-state-forest)
- [OpenStreetMap-Auszug US-MA (Historic Valley Campground, Barton Cove, Savoy Mountain)](https://www.openstreetmap.org/)

## Which stops are on the route from Mount Tom to Williamstown?

1. **Mount Tom** (MA)
2. **Northampton** (MA)
3. **Amherst** (MA)
4. **Quabbin Reservoir** (MA)
5. **Deerfield** (MA)
6. **Westfield** (MA)
7. **Lee** (MA)
8. **Lenox** (MA)
9. **Stockbridge** (MA)
10. **Great Barrington** (MA)
11. **Mount Greylock** (Adams, MA): Massachusetts’ highest peak, topped by a war memorial tower, with views into four states. The summit road is closed from late fall to spring.
12. **North Adams** (MA)
13. **Williamstown** (MA)

## When is the best time for the route from Mount Tom to Williamstown?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock?**
6-day road trip of about 312 km (194 mi) with 13 stops, from Mount Tom to Williamstown. About 3 h 28 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock?**
We suggest 6 days: about 3 h 28 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock start and end?**
It starts in Mount Tom and ends in Williamstown.

**Which states does Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock pass through?**
Massachusetts.

**Where can you camp along Dinosaur tracks, reservoir forests and autumn summits – by camper from the Pioneer Valley over Jacob’s Ladder through the Berkshires to Mount Greylock?**
OpenStreetMap lists 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Chester Railway Station, Barton Cove and Historic Valley Campground.

**How much are the tolls on the route from Mount Tom to Williamstown?**
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $3 (MA). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.