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Best Tent Camping near Ashland, MA

602 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Ashland, Massachusetts region range from walk-in only options to established grounds with amenities, primarily concentrated within an hour's drive of town. Notable locations include Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston and Camp Nihan Education Center, both offering dedicated tent camping areas with varying levels of facilities and natural settings.

Most tent sites require campers to use provided carts to transport gear from parking areas to their sites. At Tully Lake, sites feature basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, but no direct vehicle access. Composting or flush toilets are available at central locations, often requiring a substantial walk from remote sites. Many campgrounds sell firewood on-site and prohibit outside wood. Water access varies significantly, with some locations like Tully Lake providing central water sources while others require campers to bring their own supply. According to one visitor, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out."

Walk-in tent sites offer a more secluded experience than drive-up camping. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, the primitive tent sites require check-in at Erving State Forest first, providing true backcountry camping with minimal amenities. Boston Harbor Islands State Park offers a unique tent camping experience requiring ferry transportation, with a recent review noting, "Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company." Many tent-only sites feature shaded locations with natural buffers between campsites. The absence of vehicle traffic creates a quieter atmosphere particularly valued by families with small children. Cell service ranges from excellent to non-existent depending on the campground location, with more remote tent sites typically having more limited connectivity.

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Best Tent Sites Near Ashland, Massachusetts (15)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Ashland, MA

24 Photos of 15 Ashland Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Ashland, MA

602 Reviews of 15 Ashland Campgrounds

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. 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. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    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. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Barretts Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Small campground near a small pond at Myles Standish

    This campsite loop at Myles Standish State Forest is closest to the headquarters and borders a small pond with beach. In addition to tent/RV sites, there are 3 yurts available with bunks. Sites that appear to be near the pond are pond view rather than pondside. Approaches to Yurt JC and J5, J 26, J27 are sloped. J14 is a little awkward. J33 is probably among the largest and nicest with a pond view. The sites aren't as large as those in the Charge Pond loops, but it's a smaller campground.

    The loop has flush toilets and showers. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided. Cell phone coverage throughout the forest is poor to absent; download maps for offline use if you want to be sure to know where you are or find directions. There are miles of bike trails and ponds for fishing, swimming, and boating. There's a larger beach and picnic area at College Pond.

  • D
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Otter River State Forest

    Some sites are hit or miss with privacy

    My site (number 1) was good for not being on top of my neighbor but it was next to the tanger station. Some sites are pretty out in the open, close to the campsite road so they feel less like the woods. I would say the best site that feels most like you are in the woods and have the most space is 28. I would book there. The pond is kind of deceiving. There are 2 roped off spots where you can swim and those spots are small and not deep.  You cannot have floats. So its better for a quick dip than a hang out. Bathrooms are fine. Could use one more as its a hike in the morning when you really have to go(!) depending on your site. One thing with my site (1), it was listed as a shaded site but it absolutely was not a shade site. During mid day there is no shade at all. In the morning, as the sun rose (when I took the pics) there was some shade but thats because the sun was still rising. It was big enough to fit a 10 and 12 person tent with a canopy. Not all sites are that big but this one worked. Verizon service was limited to none depending on location, ATT was good

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park

    Basic campground with hiking trails in the area.

    This small state park campground offers basic campsites with running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day.  This is NOT Wolf's Den Family Campground in E. Haddam, CT. Also, be aware there are 2 campgrounds at this State Park; the other one, Mashamoquet Brook, does not offer running water/showers, so if you want these amenities, be sure to select a campsite 1-35.

    There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches (download details for offline use a phone connection is spotty), a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours. It's a nice place to explore and have a picnic. In 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed. 

    The parking pads are paved and a few have overhanging branches, but the trees provide  separation and some shade on largely open sites that tend to open up toward the back with open areas for pitching tents. Sites have fire rings with grills and picnic tables. Site 20 is the only one with electric. The ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy. 

    They don't allow hammocks in the trees or pets. For some reason, silly string also makes the list of prohibitions.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2020

    Otter River State Forest

    Mixed bag at this campground

    This is a smaller campground with a few loops of campsites. The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller and most of them are designated for tents only or tents/popups. Site 33 is large and level, suitable for an RV, but Group B site is right behind it, which may or may not be an issue.  Group A & C sites are also in the first two loops.

    65, 67, 68 are walk-in sites, with the tent area lower, closer to the water.  At the top of the hill, there are several yurts available.

    Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison .

Guide to Ashland

Tent camping options near Ashland, Massachusetts range from primitive backcountry sites to more developed grounds with basic amenities. Located in the eastern part of the state where elevations rarely exceed 400 feet, this region experiences typical New England seasonal shifts with humid summers and cold winters. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with many facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend due to freezing overnight temperatures.

What to do

Paddling adventures: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the lake's islands and shorelines. "Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking," notes a camper.

Waterfall hikes: Several campgrounds provide access to waterfall trails suitable for all skill levels. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," explains a Tully Lake visitor.

Island exploration: Boston Harbor Islands State Park offers a unique camping experience with ferry access to multiple islands. "While you're out on the islands, take time to explore one of the others...look for sea glass on Spectacle Island and climb the hill for a view of the Boston skyline, explore the old forts and visitors centers, earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service, fly a kite, or go for a swim or kayak."

Disc golf: Some recreation areas feature established disc golf courses. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," reports a visitor to Tully Lake, who also hiked the 4-mile loop around the lake.

What campers like

Private, spacious sites: Many tent campgrounds in the region feature well-separated sites. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome. They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi. There is a nice little store on-site for anything you forgot."

Natural settings: Campers appreciate the undeveloped, natural environments. "The camp's minimal store sells ice cream and a (very) few sundries, so come prepared," explains a Tully Lake visitor, highlighting the rustic experience.

Vehicle-free camping: Walk-in sites create a quieter atmosphere. "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," notes a Tully Lake camper.

Beach access: Some campgrounds offer convenient beach access. "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," shares a Cape Ann Camp Site visitor, describing the nearby coastal amenities.

What you should know

Reservation timing: The best tent camping near Ashland, Massachusetts requires advance planning. "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), so you have to be on your game," advises a Tully Lake camper.

Transportation logistics: Federated Womens Club State Forest offers true primitive camping but requires proper preparation. "When open, it's for walk-in only and you need to check in with Erving State Forest (about 15 miles away) first, but there is a phone number to contact them."

Limited facilities: Many tent-focused campgrounds have basic amenities. "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," notes a camper at Federated Womens Club State Forest.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here," advises a camper, emphasizing the importance of preparation.

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: Camp Nihan Education Center offers family-friendly camping with learning opportunities. "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy."

Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. "The camp is also adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."

Cart availability: Since many tent sites require walking from parking areas, check for equipment transport options. "They have carts to haul your stuff. Everything is clean and well maintained, and the staff was helpful and friendly," notes a camper at Tully Lake.

Site selection for privacy: Choose sites based on your privacy needs. "Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," observes a Tully Lake visitor.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many tent-focused campgrounds near Ashland have limited RV access. "It doesn't look like much but it is absolutely lovely when you actually pull in! We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," reports an RV camper at Cape Ann Camp Site.

Shower facilities: Coin-operated showers are common at campgrounds accepting RVs. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change," notes a camper who paid "$60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water."

Utility access: Electric and water hookups vary by site. "Cape Ann Campground is clean but very rustic. Facilities are on the old side. Great beach access and friendly staff."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ashland, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ashland, MA is Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ashland, MA?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Ashland, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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