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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
