Tent campsites near Athol, Massachusetts typically see summer temperatures reaching 80°F with humidity levels peaking in July and August. The region sits at approximately 800 feet elevation, creating cooler nights even during peak season. Primitive camping options in the surrounding forests offer darker skies for stargazing compared to established campgrounds with communal facilities.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Doane's Falls sits within walking distance of Tully Lake Recreation Area, making it accessible for tent campers. "You may want to download offline maps before you head out here. If you're into geocaching, download those, too. There are several along the entrance rd and in the area," notes one visitor about exploring near Federated Women's Club State Forest.
Disc golf: Located near the dam at Tully Lake, the course attracts consistent activity during summer months. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," reports a camper who hiked the 4-mile loop around the lake.
Island exploration: Paddlers at Barton Cove Campground can access unique water features. "You can't swim unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water," explains one camper, noting the steep terrain and safety fencing around the campground prevents direct shore access.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tent campsites around Athol feature varying degrees of seclusion. "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 one Tully Lake visitor. This privacy extends to several campgrounds in the region.
Absence of vehicle noise: Car-free camping creates a distinct experience at Zoar Outdoor. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," reports one camper, though noting, "they don't allow fires at the campsites which is annoying."
Island camping: Some locations offer special site configurations. "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods," reports a Tully Lake camper who appreciated the seclusion from families.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For peak season bookings, plan months ahead. "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," explains a camper about Maple Ridge Farm.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon," reports a camper at Federated Women's Club State Forest. This creates a true disconnect experience.
Gear transportation: Pack strategically when sites require walking. "The sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea," notes a Tully Lake visitor who appreciated the camp's minimal store that "sells ice cream and a very few sundries, so come prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for nighttime bathroom access: Choose sites closer to facilities with young children. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night. Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site and neighboring campers," explains one family at Tully Lake who visited during a busy holiday weekend.
Car-free camping benefits: Vehicles parked away from tent sites create safer environments. "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 family camping at Lost Boys Hideout.
Holiday weekend awareness: Holiday timing affects campground atmosphere. "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. Loud throughout," reports a family who found the atmosphere less peaceful during peak times.
Tips from RVers
Tent-only facilities: Most campgrounds near Athol cater exclusively to tent campers. "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," explains a visitor to HQ Campground at Monadnock State Park about the tent-focused design.
Gate access procedures: Some campgrounds have multi-step entry protocols. "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite. You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key, drive back to campground, walk to your site," explains a Barton Cove camper who felt the security process was "a bit of a hassle but worth it."
