Camping opportunities near Athol, Massachusetts center around the Millers River watershed at elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet above sea level. The region sits at the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir, creating a unique microclimate that's typically 3-5 degrees cooler than Boston. Fall camping season extends through mid-October with night temperatures dropping into the 40s, while summer highs rarely exceed 85°F in this forested pocket of north-central Massachusetts.
What to do
Paddling and tubing: At Ashuelot River Campground, you can float down the gentle river right from camp. "We've been coming here for years and always enjoy the time spent here. Beautiful river to float down or paddle up. Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground," notes Michael M. The campground offers canoe and kayak rentals plus shuttle service.
Hiking to viewpoints: The Gilson Pond Area Campground provides access to Mount Monadnock (3,165 feet), a prominent peak with 360-degree views. "Mount Monadnock is best known because of its cameos in writings by both Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's quite a prominent peak in southern New Hampshire," explains Tara S. The White Dot Trail (2 miles up) and White Cross Trail (2.5 miles down) create a popular loop for day hikers.
Disc golf and kayaking: Near Tully Lake Recreation Area, visitors can access multiple outdoor activities. "Near the dam is a larger boat launch with parking... A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity. We hiked the 4-mile loop around Tully Lake," reports Jean C. The lake offers multiple islands to explore by kayak or canoe.
What campers like
Unique walk-in camping experiences: At Tully Lake, the tent-only setup creates 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," mentions Megan G. Campers use provided wheelbarrows to transport gear from the parking area to sites, some of which are waterfront.
Private, spacious sites: Lake Dennison Recreation Area offers well-designed sites. "The sites on the North side are spacious & quiet. The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road which is used by logging trucks," advises Bonnie B. Another camper notes, "Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground."
Affordable primitive camping: The Federated Women's Club State Forest provides truly rustic camping for those seeking solitude. "Some of the sites are definitely walk-in, with a narrow trail leading from the road... If you continue past site 15, you'll head through Gate 36 out toward Soapstone Hill which offers a great view of Quabbin Reservoir and sunsets," says Jean C. Sites cost significantly less than established campgrounds.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty or non-existent coverage. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here." Similar issues exist at Erving State Forest where "There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers)."
Out-of-state fee differential: Massachusetts state parks charge substantially higher rates for non-residents. At Erving State Forest Campground, "Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters." This price difference exists across all state-managed properties in the region.
Water access variations: Not all waterfront sites provide the same experience. At Lake Dennison, "The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy. The sites with higher numbers by the lake are all on top of each other with little to no trees or shrubs between sites, and you can't really decipher where one site ends and the next begins."
Tips for camping with families
Resort-style amenities: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort offers extensive activities beyond basic camping. "Beautiful clean campground! Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim. Camp store is great, fun fishing on the lake and tons of activities for the kids," shares Rob G. The resort includes pools, a splash pad, and organized events.
Playground and biking opportunities: At Gilson Pond Campground, families appreciate the accessible recreation. "There's a decent bathhouse with pay showers, a small playground, and a loop trail around Gilson Pond that leads right from the campground," notes Miguel B. Many campgrounds in the region allow kids to bike around the loops, creating a safe environment for children to explore.
Quiet campgrounds for younger children: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours. At Otter River State Forest, families report, "This campground is clean and well kept. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both)." The 10 pm quiet hours are generally well-enforced at state-managed properties.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: At Ashuelot River Campground, RVers find accommodating spaces. "Sites big enough for our 42' 5th wheel and 2 cars. Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups," reports John C. However, access can be tricky as "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru."
Limited full-service options: Many campgrounds in the Athol area have partial hookups only. At Otter River State Forest, campers note only electric is available at some sites, while others warn, "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."
