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  • Savoy Mountain State Forest, MA

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    Savoy Mt State Forest is one of our very "favoritest" spots - we've been camping here for over 30 years, first with our kids and more recently with the grandchildren. Savoy is located in northwestern Massachusetts, near North Adams, off US Route 2, the Mohawk Trail. It has 45 campsites.

    Tel 413 664-9567

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    Site #36 is one we often take when with family - it's at the top of the hill, offering nice views and a pleasant mix of open grass and some shade.

    Date of most recent visit: Aug '08

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    Here we are in 1976 on Site #37. As you can see, the grass is in a lot better shape now than it was back then

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    By 1989, with kids no longer home, we had moved up to a small truck camper. This site, #39, has always been our favorite.

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    Some sites are out in the open with lots of grass. To the left is Site 45, while another of our favorites, Site 44, is under that large tree.

    Savoy appeals mainly to tenters and those with pop-ups. Most sites are not very level, but there are some suitable for small motorhomes, such our 23' Lazy Daze.

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    If you prefer more shade, there are some wooded sites. Here, #7 is on the left and #6 is on the right.

    There are no hook-ups at Savoy, but there is a dump station and drinking water is available.

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    Sites 25 and 26 are down at the lower end of the camp loop.

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    Here are two sites, 34 and 35, that would ge great for two families camping together.

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    Someone added a little garden to #4.

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    There are two bathhouses; both are of the older style found in many MA parks. They're clean and offer hot showers. In recent years they have added an outside sink with hot water.

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    South Pond is close to the campground and has a small swimming area just for campers. It's also a nice spot for a leisurely canoe or kayak ride. Years ago we had a little rubber boat we used to paddle around the lake.

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    There are 4 cabins that can be rented. This is the newer one, #4. The other three date from the CCC days and are closer to the pond.

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    Cabin #2.

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    Here's the view from the porch of cabin #2.

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    North Pond is a short hike from the campground, and offers a day use area, with a large, sandy beach, a bathhouse, and picnic areas.

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    Some of the picnic tables at North Pond.

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    The MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation has a traveling road show that visits different parks and puts on educational programs. On our most recent visit, the program consisted of a game which taught what it might be like to be a black bear.

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    The open space and wonderful vistas are what keep bringing us back to Savoy. Visible from the campground is Borden Mt to the south.

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    It's a short hike up Borden Mt. At the summit, you'll find a fire tower, and back in 1976 at least, wild strawberries. Liz and our twins Kate and Geoff picked some, and back at the campsite, Liz made some strawberry jam.

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    Just about every time we visit Savoy, we make the mile long trek down to Bog Pond. You might see or hear a loon, and moose have been spotted near the pond.

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    Another nice hike is up the 1-mile Busby Trail to the summit of Spruce Hill, which overlooks the Adams/North Adams valley. The start of the Busby trail is about a mile from the campground, Off in the distance is Massachusetts' highest peak, Mt Greylock. There are several trails to its summit.

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    Tannery Falls is another beautiful spot to visit. Years ago one could drive to a parking lot, and take a short hike down to the falls, but the road has not been maintained. A 4-wheel drive could probably make it, but I wouldn't recommend a regular car or RV. The hike in from beginning of the Tannery Falls Road is 2.1 miles, a nice walk.

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    Sunset over South Pond.

    Amenities

    Rates: $14 out-of-state, $12 MA residents

    No hookups; water fill and dump station available

    No Verizon digital service

    42.648661 N, 73.046886 W

    Elevation: 1972'

    4 miles off US-2, just east of Western Summit

    Activities/Nearby Attractions

    Hiking, biking, swimming

    Hoosac Tunnel

    Heritage State Park

    Natural Bridge State Park

    Mass MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)

     

    savoy map