CHESHIRE, Mass. – The Father Tom Campsite in Cheshire is a hidden gem for hikers of the Appalachian Trail.

“It’s a perfect place for the site,” said Eileen Quinn, chair of the Cheshire Appalachian Trail Committee. “Right next door to Diane’s Twist ice cream shop and the post office, and there’s the trail. It’s like a perfect location.” 

What You Need To Know

  •  The Father Tom Campsite in Cheshire serves Appalachian Trail hikers
  •  It has several amenities including running water, bikes, and charging outlets
  • Many hikers say it’s the best campsite on the whole trail
  • The site is named after Father Tom Begley, who hosted hikers at his church in town

 

The campsite first opened in 2020, and several improvements were finished earlier this year.

The site has running water, bikes, and charging outlets. It might not look like much, but for the hikers, it’s like a 5-star hotel.

“This campsite, it has all the amenities that you’d look for as a hiker,” said one hiker who goes by the trail name ‘Roadrunner.’ “It’s right in town, so it’s close to re-supply points where we can get food, grab a bite to eat at a restaurant.”

“I mean, charging outlets, bathroom, like, hikers, we’re pretty simple people,” said another, called "Pache." “This is the best the best one I’ve seen so far to be perfectly honest.”

'Roadrunner' and 'Pache' started their nearly 2,200 mile hike in Georgia, so this area was a welcome site.

The campsite was developed and built by volunteers. Many, like the Daigle family, still help out doing cleaning and maintenance.

“We keep going because we all are very much enjoying being a part of it,” said Karen Daigle.

“And we’re all able, with different skills,” said her husband, Mark. “Eileen will give us a call and we’ll try to get a group together.”

The campsite is named after the late Father Tom Begley, who hosted hikers at his church in town for decades. The trail committee wanted the site to honor his legacy.

“He was an avid hiker himself,” said Quinn. “It took him 12 years, but he finally finished the whole trail, and so that was his big love. So for 30 years, hikers were at the church, in the hall. And then eventually for various reasons, that wasn’t working out, and then they were on the lawn. And so we think, okay, we need to get something else. And that’s how this came about.”