Looking to do some fun recreational activities on the way to your next RV friendly campground? If so, you must check out Littleville Lake. Located in Huntington and Chester, Massachusetts, Littleville Lake is a great place to visit for the day. Like the nearby Knightville dam, the history of Littleville Lake dates back to the early 60s when a dam needed to be built to stop communities on the Westfield River from being flooded. Once the dam was built, multiple services had to be relocated, including around five miles of roads, miles of utilities, and even a cemetery containing 350 graves. In total, the lake has 275 acres of surface area and the flood storage area is 510 acres. Combined with the lands that are part of the project, Littleville Lake has 1,579 acres for visitors to explore. The area is a popular recreation destination, especially during the summertime when the sun is out and the trails are snow-free. Plenty of activities exist for you to enjoy at Littleville Lake, including hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. If you are interested in learning more about the area, there are also interpretive programs ran by the U.S Corps of Engineers that you can attend for free. Camping is prohibited at Littleville Lake due to the lake being a backup water supply for the city of Springfield. If you are renting an RV or bringing your own rig and want to stay close by, there is a great KOA campground only nine miles away. Or you can choose to stay at a family campground 11 miles to the west. Whether this is your first of many RV getaways or you've been on too many to count, Littleville Lake is a great place to build a fire and enjoy all year round.
Driving to and from Littleville Lake is relatively easy since the lake is serviced by paved roads maintained by the State of Massachusetts. The popular way to reach the lake is by taking Route 20 to Huntington and then turning off to Route 112 North until you reach Goss Hill Road.
If you are looking to get some supplies for your trip out to Littleville Lake, there are multiple towns that you can stop into that are either close by or on the way. Some of these include Huntington (around four miles away), Russell (around seven and a half miles away), and Chester (around 11 miles away). The closest city to Littleville Lake is Springfield, which is located approximately 25 miles to the southeast.
Once you reach the lake, you should have no problems navigating the roads in your RV as they are well maintained and don't feature any sharp turns or switchbacks. During the winter months, the area is known to get a lot of snow, so if you intend to visit during this time, we recommend calling ahead in advance to confirm that you will be able to get your RV to the lake.
While there are a few different parking spots for you to choose from, The Huntington Access Area is the best place to park if you are looking to get access to the lake.
For RV campers wanting to stay close to Littleville Lake, the Northampton / Springfield KOA will be your campground of choice. Located only nine miles to the east, Northampton / Springfield KOA is a great campground to stay at, no matter what size your rig is. The sites are known for being relatively level, featuring gravel pads and having pull-through sites.
There are over 100 sites available at Northampton / Springfield KOA and there is a large mixture of site types for you to choose from. These include electric only sites for 20 and 30 amp connections, 30 amp full hookups, and 30/50 amp full hook up sites. Other amenities within the campground include WiFi, a snack bar, cable TV, swimming pool, a playground, showers, toilets, an arcade, basketball hoop, dog park, and dump stations.
Reservations for Northampton / Springfield KOA can be made online or by calling the park and the site opens from the middle of April until the end of October.
If you are looking for another place to consider during your visit to Littleville Lake, there is a private campground available around 12 miles to the west. Open since 1969 and spread over 89 acres, the campground is unique as it is formed by two islands (thanks to Walker Brook and an old granite railroad) that are all connected by two covered bridges.
The campground has 90 sites to choose from, including some that are on top of a hill. You have the option of choosing between water and electric or full hookup sites. Weekly or monthly sites are also available if you wish to stay awhile. Some of the amenities at the campground include WiFi, swimming pool, free hot showers, laundry facilities, horseshoes, a playground, and a dump station.
This campground is open for reservations, and they can be made by calling the park office. Opening season is from the beginning of May until Columbus Day weekend
Getting out and exploring the lake is one of the best ways to spend your summer days if you are visiting during this time. The lake is suitable for any watercraft, provided that it has a horsepower of 10 or under.
There is a boat ramp available for you to use free of charge at the Huntington Access Area that is open seasonally to help you launch your boat. If you want to go boating during your visit to the lake, you will need to bring your own watercraft as there are none available for you to rent.
For individuals, families, or school groups looking to learn more about the history of the lake and its surrounding natural features, you must check out one of the interpretive programs. Run by a park ranger, the programs vary in topic but include trail walks, dam tours, water safety programs, talks about the History of the Corps of Engineers, and flood control information. The programs are mostly held during the summer months and are free for anyone to attend, so make sure you check one out!
Hikers rejoice! There are miles of trails and old cart roads for you to explore during your visit to Littleville Lake. The trails and paths can be found on both sides of the lake and will provide you with some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The Eagle Ridge Trail is a multipurpose trail that is popular with hikers and can be found at the boat ramp or at the main parking lot. The trails will give you hours of enjoyment, so make sure you get out there and check them out on your visit to the lake.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Littleville Lake.
During the springtime at Littleville Lake and the nearby Knightville Dam, water is released to provide flows for one of the most popular events in the region. The Westfield River Wildwater Canoe Race is the oldest canoe race in the United States, and it attracts people from all over who want to challenge themselves on the rapids. The event is usually held in April and is open to anyone who would like to participate. For more information on the race and instructions on how to enter, check out their official website.
Littleville Lake is an excellent spot for those looking to catch the big one. Fishing can be done at the lake all year round (thanks to the option of ice fishing) and many fish species call the lake home, including trout, bass, yellow perch, and smelt. The most popular fishing spots can be reached via boat, but you can fish from the banks of the dam if you don't have a watercraft. Remember to make sure that you have a fishing license before casting out a line as they are required within Massachusetts.
Thanks to the large snowfalls that are common in western Massachusetts, there will be plenty of fun to be had by visitors to Littleville Lake in the wintertime. The trails are open to all sorts of fun, including cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. If you love to ice skate, you can also do so on the lake. However, make sure that you check the ice thickness before venturing out into the middle. For people not wanting to get too extreme, there will also be enough snow to build some impressive snowmen or have a snowball fight.
