The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Athol, MA

655 Reviews

Camping near Athol, Massachusetts encompasses a mix of state forests, recreation areas, and private campgrounds set in the wooded north-central region of the state. Notable options include Otter River State Forest in nearby Baldwinville and Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston, both offering traditional camping experiences with water access. These established campgrounds sit within a 15-minute drive of Athol and provide access to hiking trails, swimming, and fishing opportunities. The area's campgrounds are primarily managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, with Tully Lake operated by the Trustees of Reservations in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Most campgrounds in the Athol area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. Massachusetts state parks charge significantly higher fees for out-of-state visitors, sometimes triple the resident rate. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many campgrounds in the region, particularly at Erving State Forest and Tully Lake, so downloading maps before arrival is advisable. Summer brings mosquitoes and occasional thunderstorms, while fall offers spectacular foliage with cooler temperatures.

The camping options near Athol vary in style and amenities. Tully Lake features walk-in and boat-in sites with wooden wheelbarrows provided to transport gear from the parking area. According to reviews, "This is a carry-in campground where you park at the entrance and register with the ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your campsite." Lake Dennison Recreation Area and Otter River State Forest offer more traditional drive-up sites that accommodate both tents and RVs with some hookups available. Family-friendly amenities are common, with most campgrounds featuring swimming areas, picnic tables, and fire rings. Several campgrounds provide access to ponds or lakes, making them popular for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing during the warmer months.

Map showing campgrounds near Athol, MassachusettsExplore the Map

Detours Nearby

Foolhardy Hill

Foolhardy Hill

54 min away

Mineral Springs Family Campgrounds

Mineral Springs Family Campgrounds

1 hr 6 min away

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Athol Contest

Enter to Win

Best Camping Sites Near Athol, Massachusetts (153)

    1. Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    14 Reviews
    Foster Lake, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 297-1609

    $17 - $35 / night

    "The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."

    "As a caveat, waterfront in this instance was more of a water view as the lake was on the other side of the campground road and a large open area with trees."

    2. Otter River State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Baldwinville, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 939-8962

    $17 - $55 / night

    "Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts."

    "I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts"

    3. Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    9 Reviews
    Royalston, MA
    4 miles
    +1 (978) 249-9150

    $40 / night

    "Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."

    "Volleyball and horseshoes are near the entrance. You may purchase firewood. The bathrooms offer flush toilets and a single shower on each site, plus a dishwashing sink outside."

    4. Gilson Pond Area Campground — Monadnock State Park

    19 Reviews
    Jaffrey, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 532-2416

    $29 - $45 / night

    "Campsites are well shaded but if you have an RV take the time to rent an RV site otherwise backing in will put you in and awkward position as the mixed use “standard” sites are oriented towards tent camping"

    "The campsite is big and away from another site. You can easilly access to hiking trails.

    The staff there are friendly and helpful. It's definitely a plus."

    5. Ashuelot River Campground

    16 Reviews
    West Swanzey, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 357-5777

    $47 - $70 / night

    "We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river.

    Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful."

    "Large, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests given the pandemic right now."

    6. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

    15 Reviews
    Rutland, MA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 882-9509

    $70 - $115 / night

    "Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you’ll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground."

    "Although the tent sites are a distance from anything, the main areas of the campground are fantastic. With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored."

    7. Erving State Forest Campground

    3 Reviews
    Erving, MA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 544-7745

    $17 / night

    "Situated by a beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails. "

    "Friends told me about this little gem in north central Massachusetts, not far from Rt 2. The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. "

    8. Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Rindge, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 899-3362

    $42 - $65 / night

    "the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake"

    9. Shir-Roy Camping Area

    1 Review
    Warwick, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 239-4768

    $34 - $47 / night

    "Good bathroom ,nice people, great lake."

    10. Federated Womens Club State Forest

    1 Review
    Petersham, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 939-8962
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 153 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Athol Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Athol, MA

407 Photos of 153 Athol Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Athol, MA

655 Reviews of 153 Athol Campgrounds

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.

  • S
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Cold Springs Camp Resort

    All Around Exceptional

    This place is just great! They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless. There are numerous pools and hot tubs, activities and the people that work there are just the nicest! Our kids were never scolded for being loud and neither were the adults. We have booked our return trip already and can't wait to go back!

  • Rachael K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    Really pretty and chill

    This campground is pretty and offers many private site options. We didn't use the bathrooms so can't speak on that. But overall it's a clean campground.

    There are two loops. The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet. The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy. All of the sites are good size and the fire pits are placed well.

    The other loop farther away from the entrance has a lot more lakeside sites. But there's very little 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. We would not stay on that loop if we visited again. Unless it was site 101 which seemed more private for that loop.

    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. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us. We only had neighbors across from us. The site was spacious , peaceful and pretty. There was a little trail from our site that went down to a marsh. That was absolutely beautiful.

    We will definitely stay here again.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

  • gabe N.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    What a gem

    We camped here one night on a pit stop and it exceeded our expectations! We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake. However, there is limited privacy between sites so hope for good neighbors :) also cell service was fine with AT&T.

  • Ricky H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Not terrible

    Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it. Also had someone who decided to use the area to sight in his rifle. Which was very unexpected as it was incredibly loud with no warning at all. Was not aware this was a gun range. Tried to flag down a park ranger, but he just drove on by.

  • Willliam A.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Woodford State Park Campground

    Good way to start my trip

    Came in here hoping to start off my weekend with a nice reserve site. Had plenty of room for my truck and RTT. Close enough to your neighbors to see but you’re not exactly on top of each other. Waterfront campsites are very scenic.

Guide to Athol

Camping near Athol, Massachusetts, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From family-friendly campgrounds to serene spots for RVers, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Explore nature trails: Many campgrounds, like Normandy Farms Campground, have well-maintained trails. One visitor mentioned, "The grounds are beautiful, and the staff is lovely," making it a great spot for hiking.
  • Enjoy water activities: Campgrounds near lakes, such as George Washington State Campground, provide swimming and fishing opportunities. A reviewer noted, "There are some tent-only sites which are numbered T1-T5... the best of the bunch because it had the most privacy and space."
  • Participate in organized activities: Many campgrounds offer planned events. At Lorraine Park Campground, one camper shared, "There are activities planned for kids and adults."

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at places like Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. A visitor said, "The campground has great amenities and a great feel to it."
  • Clean facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of bathrooms and showers. One reviewer at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Minute Man Campground said, "The staff was very nice to deal with."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Bear Brook State Park Campground, may not have electric hookups. A camper noted, "No cell service for us on Verizon," so be prepared for a tech-free experience.
  • Mosquitoes can be a nuisance: Campers at Lorraine Park Campground warned about mosquitoes, especially near water. One reviewer said, "Be prepared for mosquitoes when camping close to the water."
  • Reservations are often required: Many campgrounds recommend booking in advance. A visitor at Normandy Farms Campground mentioned, "Reservations are required."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Look for kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Jamaica State Park Campground offer playgrounds and ranger-led programs. A parent shared, "The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads."
  • Choose spacious sites: Families often prefer larger sites for privacy. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground said, "Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful."
  • Pack for outdoor fun: Bring bikes, games, and outdoor toys. A visitor at Camping On The Battenkill noted, "There’s a big playground for kids."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: RVers should confirm site dimensions before booking. A reviewer at Lorraine Park Campground mentioned, "We basically had to park sideways and use a lot of leveling blocks."
  • Bring leveling blocks: Many sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Normandy Farms Campground advised, "Just be prepared and bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Look for amenities: RVers often prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Minute Man Campground appreciated the "ample size and space for our rig and needs."

Camping near Athol, Massachusetts, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's a perfect spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Athol, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Athol, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 153 campgrounds and RV parks near Athol, MA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Athol, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Athol, MA is Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Athol, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Athol, MA.

What parks are near Athol, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Athol, MA that allow camping, notably Tully Lake and Edward MacDowell Lake.

Keep Exploring