Scenic and historic, Pittsfield, Massachusetts was first settled around 1738 and was incorporated as a town during the American Revolution. The town, which is located near the Massachusetts and New York state line, was once the largest wool-producing city in the U.S. and became an important agricultural hub. Today, the city has a population of about 44,000 people and offers many historic sites to visit as well as several options for outdoor recreation.
Thanks to its historic roots, there are always plenty of places to visit in Pittsfield. The Herman Melville House, for example, preserves the home where Herman Melville wrote the classic novel, Moby Dick. The Hancock Shaker Village, on the other hand, is a large living history museum where actors perform to educate guests about the history of the Shaker group. Anyone looking for family-oriented entertainment can stop at the Berkshire Museum, which offers art exhibits, hands-on exhibits for children, and a natural history area. For outdoor activities, the Bousquet Mountain Ski Area is an excellent choice during the colder months, and there are many hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities available in the nearby Pittsfield State Forest.
Many people prefer to visit Pittsfield during the late spring, summer, and early fall months when the weather is relatively mild. Summer temperatures are usually in the mid to high 70s. During the winter, temperatures can drop sharply, sometimes dipping well below freezing. Because Pittsfield sees a fair amount of snowfall, though, the town stays popular with visitors throughout the year and caters to skiers and snowboarders in the winter.
Campgrounds Near Pittsfield, Massachusetts
One of the best places near Pittsfield for RV camping is Schodack Island State Park in Schodack Landing, New York. The park offers about eight miles of hiking trails and a nearby area for fishing and boating. There are 66 RV sites available, and although there are no hookups, restrooms and showers are available.
The Arrowhead Marina & RV Park in Glenville, New York is another great camping option. The park provides 64 RV sites with full hookups. This pet-friendly park has a large green space available to allow your dog to run or play. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates are all available, with daily rates starting at $40.
Thompson's Lake Campground in East Berne, New York offers 140 RV sites. Rates start at just $15 per day. The campground offers a quiet, rugged camping experience with beautiful views. There are no hookups, but restrooms and showers are available, and pets are allowed.
State Parks Near Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Located right in Pittsfield, Pittsfield State Forest is one of the area's most beloved outdoor attractions. The forest spans 11,000 acres and includes a large mountain and a mountain pond, called Berry Pond. Visitors can enjoy a hike or stroll through the area's 65 acres of wild azaleas, which bloom in early summer. There are also plenty of trails for horseback riding or mountain biking, and the pond offers fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. You'll also find a campground and picnic area located at the pond.
Only about 35 minutes from Pittsfield, Cherry Plain State Park in New York is a fantastic location to visit at any time of the year. The park offers gorgeous foliage during the fall months, but visitors can also enjoy the scenery during the spring, summer, and winter. Thanks to plenty of snow, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities. During the summer, hiking, mountain biking, boating, kayaking, and fishing are common. Visitors can also explore the more than 4,000-acre conservation area that surrounds the park.
Beartown State Forest is nestled in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and spans about 12,000 acres. Visitors can explore stunning meadows, forests, and the 35-acre Benedict Pond. Wildflowers are prolific throughout the spring and summer months. Many people also stop in to spot wildlife, as the forest is home to bears, elk, bobcats, and deer, as well as many songbirds, amphibians, and small mammals. Hiking, fishing, and swimming are common during the warmer months, and cross-country skiing is popular in the winter. The forest is located about a 35-minute drive from Pittsfield.
National Sites Near Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Located in New York, the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site celebrates the life of President Van Buren. Visitors can stop at the site's Lindenwald Mansion, where Van Buren resided after his presidency and many historic political deals took place. The mansion also offers plenty of information about the politics of the time, including facts about slavery, agricultural reform, and the changing thoughts of the nation. Visitors can also explore the area's gorgeous landscapes, and there is a nearby hiking trail.
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York, which is about an hour's drive from Pittsfield, celebrates the artists of the famous Hudson River School. The site includes the 1815 Main House, the 1839 Old Studio, and a reconstruction of Thomas Cole's studio. Guided tours offer more information about Cole, his work, and the influence the Hudson River School had on art in the United States and around the world. The area also offers several nearby historic and fascinating locations to visit, including the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, New York is the site of the first large American victory of the Revolutionary War. The site also commemorates the moment when the French began aiding the Americans during the war, which would ultimately turn the tide of the war and ensure a victory for the American military. Today, visitors can traverse the park using one of the area's many hiking or biking trails. There are also several reconstructed historic buildings to explore. Several nearby museums provide even more historical information.
National Forests Near Pittsfield, Massachusetts
The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont is often considered one of New England's natural treasures. Located only about half an hour away from Pittsfield, the forest offers lush woods and plenty of landscapes to explore. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, or, during the winter months, cross-country ski or snowshoe. Wildlife, including moose, is also abundant, and fishing is a popular activity. Visitors can also explore some of the forest's 2,000 archeological sites.
The White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire isn’t too far from either the Green Mountain National Forest or Pittsfield. The forest spans about 800,000 acres and encompasses hardwood forests, mountainous areas, rivers, streams, and lakes. Watersports, including fishing, boating, and swimming, are popular activities for visitors. There are also many hiking trails throughout the forest, and trails with a variety of difficulty levels can be found. Camping opportunities are also plentiful, as there are 23 campgrounds in the forest, although RV renters might want to choose a slightly less rugged campground along the forest's outskirts.
Small but stunning, the Finger Lakes National Forest in New York is home to waterfalls, beautiful lakes, gorges, meadows, and densely wooded areas. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. There are also many camping options near the forest. Because the forest is so far north, visitors camping in the area may also occasionally be able to spot the Northern Lights, as long as the night sky is clear. During the day, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will have many opportunities to spot or photograph animals.
