1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent campsites in the vicinity of Ashfield, Massachusetts range from established campgrounds to more primitive backcountry options. Nearby Tully Lake Recreation Area offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Barton Cove Campground provides tent platforms overlooking the water. Zoar Outdoor caters to tent campers seeking proximity to water activities, particularly white water rafting and tubing, though fires are not permitted at individual campsites.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to park in designated areas and transport gear to their sites. At Tully Lake, staff provide wooden carts for hauling equipment distances ranging from a few yards to nearly a mile. "You park & walk in but they provide carts," noted one camper at Tully Lake. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Barton Cove features tent platforms and clean facilities, but limited water access points require campers to bring refillable containers. Several primitive tent camping areas have seasonal restrictions, with most facilities operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Ashfield offers varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sites at Tully Lake are described as spacious with good separation between campers, particularly those farther from the water. A reviewer mentioned that "sites are very basic, with only a picnic table and fire ring" but the walk-in nature means "no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites." Some tent campsites, like those at Federated Women's Club State Forest, require advance check-in at nearby ranger stations and feature more rustic accommodations with composting toilets. Cell service throughout the region's tent camping areas ranges from spotty to nonexistent, with most campgrounds recommending downloading maps before arrival. Many tent-only sites serve as excellent basecamps for hiking, fishing, and paddling activities.
"The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite"
from $22 - $30 / night
from $50 - $100 / night
"The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night. Very clean and comfortable."
from $50 - $100 / night
"Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."
from $25 - $30 / night
"Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them."
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
from $40 / night
"While hiking the Long trail i stopped at the seth warner shetler for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people. There is a fire pit."
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
ScoutAfter a busy few weeks, this was exactly the break we needed. The kids went swimming, we did some fishing, and everyone came home tired in a good way lol.
ScoutWhite Pines made a really good home base for our trip. We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed. The campground itself had everything we needed without having to make a bunch of extra trips into town.
ScoutWe brought our camper up for the weekend and the kids immediately wanted to go to the pool.😂 They also loved the fishing pond and exploring around the campground. There was plenty to keep them busy while we got some actual downtime.
ScoutOne thing I really liked was having wifi when we needed it. Nice to be able to check in on work and then put the phone away and enjoy the rest of the day.
ScoutNice campground with a good mix of activities. We went fishing one morning, spent the afternoon at the pool and had a fire that night. Pretty much a perfect camping day.
ScoutWe stayed in a cabin and it worked out perfectly for us. Spent the days exploring the area and came back in the evening to cook and hang out. Would definetly do it again.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
ScoutGreat campground for families. Lots for the kids to do and plenty of places to just sit and relax.
Tent camping near Ashfield, Massachusetts provides campers with access to the scenic Berkshire foothills, where elevations range from 900 to 1,600 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 75°F and crisp fall temperatures in the 40-60°F range. Most campgrounds in this area close from late October through April due to harsh winter conditions.
Paddle and explore Tully Lake: The lake offers numerous islands and hidden shorelines for exploration. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes a visitor to Tully Lake Recreation Area.
Hike to Doane's Falls: Located near Tully Lake campground, these cascading waterfalls offer photographic opportunities within a short walk. "There's a very quick walk from the campground area. The highlight was Doane's falls," one camper comments about this natural attraction.
White water rafting: The Deerfield River offers seasonal rapids for adventurous campers. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," explains a guest at Zoar Outdoor.
Disc golf: Play a round on the course near Tully Lake dam. According to reviews, the course "was seeing a fair amount of activity" during summer months. Most players bring their own discs as rentals aren't widely available.
Tent platform setup: Many campers appreciate the stable platforms at some sites. "Rustic camping only- sites have tent platforms, grill, fire pit and picnic tables," reports a visitor to Barton Cove Campground.
Privacy between sites: Campsites offering separation from neighbors receive positive reviews. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," notes a Tully Lake camper.
No vehicle traffic: The walk-in nature of several campgrounds creates a quieter atmosphere. A camper explains, "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay."
Access to water activities: Proximity to swimming and boating ranks high in camper satisfaction. "This was the trifecta for us, where we could fish, kayak, and swim! We really enjoyed our stay and look forward to booking again soon!" shares an enthusiastic tent camper.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book extremely quickly, especially waterfront locations. "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April)," warns a Tully Lake camper.
Limited cell service: Prepare for minimal connectivity throughout the region. "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out," advises a visitor to Federated Womens Club State Forest.
Bring water containers: Some campgrounds have limited water access points. "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers," recommends a Barton Cove visitor.
Gear transportation: Many tent sites require hauling equipment from parking areas. "This is a 'Carry In' campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site," explains a Tully Lake reviewer.
Choose sites near bathrooms: For families with young children, proximity to facilities matters. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," cautions a family at Tully Lake who found their distant site challenging.
Consider noise levels on holidays: Holiday weekends can bring livelier crowds. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay," reports a family camper.
Look for unique accommodations: Children often enjoy unusual camping options. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too," shares an excited visitor to Chester Railway Station.
Pack insect repellent: Summer months bring mosquitoes to tent sites. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent," warns a camper who visited during early summer.
Consider glamping options: For those seeking RV amenities without the rig, several campgrounds offer alternatives. "We visited this privately owned campground within a month of it opening. The owners were so friendly and excited to welcome campers. They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale," reports a visitor to Maple Ridge Farm, noting the comfortable amenities without needing an RV.
Transport assistance: Some campgrounds provide help moving gear. "They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," mentions a Maple Ridge Farm camper, highlighting a service useful for those accustomed to RV convenience.
Site restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Ashfield have limitations on vehicles. "It seemed like there were a lot of restrictive rules compared to other campgrounds that made camping more stressful," notes a camper used to RV access who found the tent-only policies challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ashfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ashfield, MA is Zoar Outdoor with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ashfield, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Ashfield, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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