Skip to content
Voykit

Major city · United States

MontereyMonterey, Massachusetts

Skip as a base; use as a half-day stop for Beartown State Forest and Benedict Pond, then sleep in Great Barrington or Lee.

Monterey is a quiet town in the southern Berkshires with one major draw: Beartown State Forest, a 12,000-acre woodland with hiking, swimming and fall foliage. There is no town centre, limited dining and no lodging cluster. Most travellers visit on a day trip from Great Barrington or Lee.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Oct
avoid Nov–Apr (many trails and facilities closed or limited)
Airports
Albany (ALB) · Bradley (BDL)
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Monterey: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Monterey911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Monterey Fire Department (non-emergency)413-528-3211

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Monterey, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Beartown State ForestBenedict PondAppalachian Trail accessFall foliage
Airports
ALB Albany International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-90 and Route 22) · BDL Bradley International Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive via I-91 and I-90)

Map of Monterey

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

OtisGreat BarringtonSheffield, MassachusettsLee, MassachusettsStockbridgeBecketLenox, MassachusettsNorfolk, Connecticut

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Monterey
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    0°C (32°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Monterey: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

0°C (32°F)

−10°C (14°F)

10 rd

Feb

2°C (36°F)

−9°C (16°F)

9 rd

Mar

7°C (45°F)

−4°C (25°F)

11 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

8°C (46°F)

12 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

10 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

9 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

−1°C (30°F)

10 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Car required. No public transport within town. Parking at Beartown State Forest (fee in season).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Great Barringtongo

Door to door: 10 min

Route 23 west, 10 min drive

Main town for dining, shopping and lodging.

Lee

go

Door to door: 15 min

Route 23 east then Route 102 north, 15 min drive

Turnpike access and outlet shopping.

Stockbridge

go

Door to door: 12 min

Route 23 east then Route 102 north, 12 min drive

Norman Rockwell Museum and historic village.

Pittsfieldgo

Door to door: 25 min

Route 23 east then Route 7 north, 25 min drive

Largest city in the Berkshires; museums and dining.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Great Barrington

5 miles west; most lodging, dining and services for the area.

Lee

10 miles north; motels and inns near the turnpike.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$30–60 (parking and picnic)
Mid
$60–120 (parking, lunch, gas)
High
$120+ (parking, dining, activities)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Day trip (no overnight)2 × 3 nights × US$0US$0
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$60US$360
Beartown State Forest parking (non-resident)2 × US$30 · May 24–Sep 8; MA residents $8US$60
Lunch in Great Barrington2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$46
Trip total≈ US$84 per person per day, bed includedUS$506

No lodging in Monterey; sleep in Great Barrington or Lee.

2026 estimate in USD; car rental and accommodation excluded. Day-trip only.

Prices of common things

Beartown State Forest parking (non-resident, in season)MA residents $8$30
Lunch in Great Barrington$12–20
Gas (fill up in Great Barrington or Lee)$3.50–4.00/gal
Coffee$3–5

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe. Standard outdoor risks: ticks, poison ivy, sudden weather changes. No crime concerns.
  • Beartown State Forest parking fee: MA residents $8, non-residents $30 per day (May 24–Sep 8).
  • No gas stations or grocery stores in Monterey; fill up in Great Barrington or Lee.
  • Cell service is patchy in the forest; download maps offline.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Monterey Fire Department (non-emergency)
413-528-3211

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MontereyMonterey, Massachusetts

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Monterey Fire Department (non-emergency)413-528-3211

Embassy

Embassies in Washington, DC; consulates in Boston and New York.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Great Barrington → Monterey (Route 23 east): 10 min drive, no public transport
  • Lee → Monterey (Route 102 south, Route 23 east): 15 min drive, no public transport

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello
  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • How much is parking? — How much is parking?

No cell service in parts of Beartown State Forest.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Monterey. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Apr (many trails and facilities closed or limited) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Beartown State Forest page with trail maps, parking details and seasonal closures.
  2. Day-trip itineraries from Great Barrington and Lee.
  3. Fall foliage forecast and peak-weekend parking advice.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Monterey

Loading…

Was this useful?