Jed Wolf

By Jed Wolf

Two hours from Boston, MA, and New Haven, CT, just across the Massachusetts border in the heart of New England, Mountainside Campground offers a unique retreat for gay men. Minutes from artsy Brattleboro, VT, and Vermont’s famed Rock River swimming holes, this pastoral mountain setting provides both wilderness access and comfortable amenities.

While there’s no pool or disco, the campground boasts stunning views of the Connecticut River valley, varied accommodations, and countless outdoor activities. Adventurous and inexperienced men of all ages consistently praise their weekends at Mountainside.

“Finally somewhere gay men can visit without emphasis on partying. I’ve never heard of anything like it.” —Pete Wagner, Sudbury, MA

“Great cabin. Great hike. Great food. Great guys. Greatest weekend ever. I want to open one of these.” —Joe Norton, NYC

“I tried not to like it, but by Sunday I didn’t want to leave. Can’t help but make friends here.” —Jean Tetral, Montreal, QC

After afternoons spent hiking, biking, swimming, tag sailing, or lounging, visitors gather for hearty potluck dinners featuring home-grown vegetables, followed by communal bonfires. At night, calls of Barred Owls and distant coyotes echo from the cliffs and valleys, mixing with campfire stories and laughter. Come morning, piping hot coffee and tea in the canteen help burn away the early fog.

Seven years ago, the owners transformed their underutilized 125-acre gentlemen’s horse farm into this unique campground. The property features various outbuildings, rail fences, fields, and trails. Accommodations include:

• A well-appointed guest house with kitchen and bath
• Grassy tent sites with 180-degree mountain views
• Level areas for travel trailers and RVs
• An open-air screen house
• Vintage campers
• Quaint cabins tucked into the woods
• Converted horse sheds now serving as a private getaway and bunkhouse

The main barn houses bathrooms, a communal cooking canteen, and dining area. The grounds remain mostly open, with horses still grazing in the fields. Amenities include:

• A well-kept bocce ball court
• Lawns ideal for Frisbee, badminton, kite-flying, croquet, and yoga
• Groomed mountain bike and hiking trails
• A large vegetable garden
• Scattered flower beds blooming in profusion

The nearby Connecticut and West rivers offer excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities. New Hampshire’s 12,000-acre Pisgah State Park, with its remote lakes and vast trail system, borders the property. While hiking, biking, and swimming are regularly scheduled weekend group activities, many guests prefer simply relaxing at camp.

For inclement weather, a large, heated indoor recreational space provides billiards, ping-pong, board games, and comfortable areas for socializing. The space features camp-related décor and plenty of room for indoor activities.

Additional Information:

• Well-behaved dogs welcome (must be leashed)
• Clothing optional
• Open summer weekends (Fridays-Sundays) from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Reservations required

Photo by Alberto Mercado