The terrain around Barre, Massachusetts features rolling hills with elevations between 700 and 1,200 feet, creating varied microclimates across nearby camping areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with increased humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience wider temperature fluctuations between day and night. Most campsites near Barre operate with limited staff during weekdays, with increased ranger presence on weekends.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Two notable courses are located near Pout and Trout in Rutland, about 15 minutes from Barre. "This campground is located near two beautiful disc golf courses and the reason we stayed," notes Megan B., who found the staff "very helpful and so sweet."
Hiking at Soapstone Hill: From the Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, follow the trail past site 15 through Gate 36 toward Soapstone Hill for panoramic views of Quabbin Reservoir. As Jean C. describes, "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."
Kayaking and paddleboarding: The calm waters at Lake Dennison Recreation Area provide excellent paddling opportunities directly from lakeside campsites. Juliet P. mentions, "We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake. There is a tiny swimming beach on the campground side and we try to stay as close as possible to it."
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, site 1 stands out for its size and seclusion. Megan G. found it "HUGE and extremely private," noting that "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."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the upgraded washrooms at Wells State Park. Lauren C. reports, "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space."
Wooded privacy: Campsites at Cold Brook Campground offer good tree coverage with "Shaded sites. Quiet areas in lower roads with mostly seasonal. Reasonable cost. 30 amp only. Many full hookups. Pet friendly," according to Keri H.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Service varies widely throughout the region's forests. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, Jean C. notes "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Campsite accessibility varies: Some campgrounds require more physical effort to reach sites. Tully Lake has a central parking area with varying distances to campsites. Miguel B. explains, "The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea."
Seasonal considerations: The Otter River State Forest campground operates from "mid May to mid October" according to its listing. Jamal C. mentions, "I stayed here in the summer of 2020. The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly swimming: Otter River State Forest offers swimming options that families appreciate. Lori-Ann D. says it's "clean and well kept. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites."
Consider tent site location: For families staying at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, Brian G. advises that "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."
Check for activities calendar: Some campgrounds maintain robust event schedules. At Pine Acres, Shawn D. reports it's "in a league of their own. Beautiful landscaping and extremely well taken care of. Staff is wonderful. Plenty of activities to keep kids and adults busy all weekend and then some."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, Steve K. notes, "Pretty tight to maneuver bigger rigs. Sites are small-ish, but they work. The facilities are excellent, one night a brick oven pizza vendor came in."
Amenities worth planning for: Many campgrounds offer enhanced facilities for RVers. Rick C. found at Pine Acres "nice level site w gravel base, pea stone around camp, friendly staff, lots to do, clean all around. The not so good....A lot of sites are tight to get in."
Check power requirements: Cold Brook Campground provides mainly 30-amp service rather than 50-amp, according to Keri H., which may affect which appliances can be run simultaneously in larger RVs.
