Granville State Forest

Overall Rating (1 to 10) : 7

Location: Granville, Mass.

Granville State Forest is easy to get to, but it feels remote. There aren't many points of interest in the area*, but it's pleasantly scenic in a southern New England kind of way. While we were there (Columbus Day weekend) the town of Granville had a Harvest Fair, with entertainment and autumnal type activities.

The campground is small with amazingly nice restrooms (free hot water!). It's immaculately maintained, with friendly and helpful staff. This was our second stay at Granville State Forest -- the first visit we were the only campers, but this time the campground was completely filled. We got the last available site (#15, right next to the bathrooms, but still pretty nice). There are only 20 sites at this campground, but nearly all of them are attractive and private.

There are several trails leading out of the campground, one of which follows a pretty stream (the first time we camped at Granville we had a site right next to this stream). The woods here are a mix of hemlocks and various hardwoods.

*On our way back home we stopped by Old Newgate Prison in Granby, CT (about a 20 minute drive south of the campground). It's worth visiting if you're in the area -- cool underground mineshafts which were used to hold prisoners until the mid 18oos.