Campsites and Shelters on the Massachusetts A.T.
AMC Western MA Chapter
04‑Jan‑2025
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is managed as a "primitive footpath". There are minimal facilities and terrain can be challenging. Hikers are expected to be self-reliant, and carry appropriate equipment for the season and terrain.
Below is a list of campsites and shelters on the MA portion of the A.T., displayed from north to south. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis. "Stealth" or "rogue" camping is not permitted in MA to protect natural resources. Hikers may camp only at designated overnight sites. Use only central fire rings for campfires. No fires are permitted at Upper Goose Pond Cabin or Laurel Ridge Campsite.
04‑Jan‑2025
Sherman Brook Campsite
Location: 1.8 miles north of Massachusetts Avenue, North Adams, MA
- 2 Tent platforms and ground space for approximately 6 tents
- Privy
- Bear box
- Water at Pete's Spring or Sherman Brook
Wilbur Clearing
Location: 0.3 miles west on Money Brook Falls Trail, 0.5 miles north of Notch Road
- Small shelter (capacity 6)
- 4 Tent platforms and 4 tent pads
- Moldering privy
- 2 Bear boxes
- Water source on blue blaze trail left in front of shelter. Do not camp in water source recharge area.
Noepel Shelter
Location: 2.8 miles south of Rockwell Road
- Large shelter (capacity 12)
- Group site for 6 tents
- 2 Tent platforms and 2 tent pads
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water 0.2 miles down blue blaze trail to left of shelter
Father Tom Campsite
Location: Center of Cheshire, near Ashuwillticook Trail. This site is on town land and operated by volunteers in Cheshire MA. It is open seasonally from mid-May to the end of October. Intended for long distance or section hikers. No group camping.
- Hammock poles
- Tenting space for about a dozen tents
- Potable water
- Bear box
- Power for phone charging
Crystal Mountain Campsite
Location: 3.7 miles north of Gulf Road, Dalton, MA
- Tenting space for about 8 tents
- Group site
- Privy
- Bear box
- Water source crosses A.T. just north of side trail to campsite
- Water source may dry up in late summer
Kay Wood Shelter
Location: 0.3 miles south of Grange Hall Road, Dalton, MA
- Large shelter (capacity 12)
- 6 Tent pads
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water source to the right of the shelter past tent pads down to small stream on blue-blazed trail
October Mountain Shelter
Location: 2.2 miles south of Pittsfield Road (Washington Mtn Road)
- Large shelter (capacity 12)
- 5 Tent pads
- Group site
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water source crosses A.T. just south of campsite
Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Location: On 0.5 mile side trail 1.6 miles south of Route 20, Lee, MA
- Cabin is open with a volunteer caretaker in attendance from mid-May to mid-October. Cabin is closed when no caretaker is present. When cabin is closed, hikers may use the campsites on the approach trail to the cabin and behind the cabin.
- Cabin is intended for individual A.T. hikers. Groups should avoid using this site in July and August.
- 4 Tent platforms are available year round
- 2 Moldering privies
- Bear box and picnic table at each camping area and at rear of cabin
- Upper Goose Pond Visitor FAQ
Shaker Campsite
Location: 0.3 miles north of Fernside Road, Tyringham, MA
- 2 Tent platforms
- Tenting for about 5 tents
- Privy
- Bear box. Bears inhabit this area; stay VERY bear aware. Do not leave food unattended - even for short times.
- Water is at A.T. stream crossing 100 yards north of campsite
Wilcox North
Location: on 0.3 mile side trail, 3.1 miles north from Benedict Pond, Beartown State Forest
- Older log shelter (capacity 8)
- Tent space for about 4 tents
- Privy
- Bear box
- Water source to left of shelter (may be dry in late summer)
Wilcox South
Location: 1.3 miles north from Benedict Pond, Beartown State Forest
- Small log shelter (capacity 4) and a large shelter (capacity 12) on blue-blazed access trail
- 5 Tent pads behind small log shelter
- Privy
- Bear box
- Water at small spring in rock hollow on short blue blaze trail near small log shelter
Tom Leonard Shelter
Location: 1.1 mile south of Lake Buel Road
- Large shelter (capacity 12)
- 5 Tent pads
- 2 Tent platforms
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water 0.16 miles to right of shelter downhill on blue blazed trail beyond privy
Glen Brook Shelter and Campsite
Location: 3.4 miles south of Jug End Road
- Small shelter (capacity 4)
- 2 Tent platforms, large tenting area
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water at stream crossing A.T., 200 feet south of access trail
Hemlocks Shelter
Location: 3.5 miles south of Jug End Road
- Large shelter (capacity 12)
- Tenting is limited, use Glen Brook Campsite 0.1 miles north. Groups at Glen Brook only.
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water at stream crossing of A.T., 200 feet north of access trail
Race Brook Campsite
Location: 0.2 mile side trail, 5.4 miles south of Jug End Road OR 1.5 miles in from Rt 41 on Race Brook Falls Trail
- 3 Tent platforms
- 5 Tent Pads
- Group camping area
- Moldering privy
- Bear box
- Water at stream on Race Brook Falls trail just east of campsite
- Area contains rare species, please stay on trails and use designated tent sites
Laurel Ridge Campsite
Location: 8.2 miles south of Jug End Road. NO CAMPFIRES PERMITTED AT THIS CAMPSITE.
- Group site with 3 tent platforms, 2 tent pads and picnic table
- 6 Tent pads on upper trail
- Moldering privy
- 2 Bear boxes, 1 for group site, one for upper sites
- Water at south end of campsite, on side trail