2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent camping near Buffumville Lake, Massachusetts ranges from walk-in primitive sites to tent-only campgrounds with lake access, fire rings, and basic facilities. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offers tent-only camping with walk-in sites situated around a scenic lake. The Federated Women's Club State Forest provides more rustic tent camping with primitive sites that require walking in from a parking area.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to carry their gear from parking areas to the sites. Tully Lake provides carts for hauling equipment, with distances ranging from a few yards to nearly a mile. According to one visitor, "You park and walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them." Facilities vary significantly between locations - Tully Lake features flush toilets and showers near the entrance, while Federated Women's Club State Forest has only a composting toilet located by the group site. Many primitive tent sites lack running water, so campers should bring their own water supply.
The tent camping around Buffumville Lake tends toward the rustic end of the spectrum. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables but minimal other amenities. One camper noted, "This is the type of campground to just come and unwind, fish, cook, etc. don't expect much else." The lake-adjacent sites at Tully Lake allow for swimming and paddling directly from camp, with canoe and kayak rentals available. Tent campers especially appreciate the no-vehicle policy at several campgrounds, which creates a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere. Cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent in most areas, providing a true disconnect from modern distractions. For tent campers seeking primitive tent campsites with natural settings, the Buffumville Lake region offers solid options within relatively close proximity to urban centers.
"All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."
"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."
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
from $40 / night
from $46 - $50 / night
"The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite"
from $22 - $30 / night
"Spots are hard to find.dorothy gave us a great spot near rest rooms and showers for the kids. Every single person we met was a delight and overly generous to us and our kids."
"I wasn't going to come back again but it is very close to my grandkids. All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. "
TravelerSmall but quaint park. It is the off season, but there are numerous folks here. Propane fill available. They stock the river behind the park with trout. Walking path in the woods along the river. Staff are friendly and helpful.
ScoutAmazing amenities and activities here. Staff is great. Lots of room for big rigs. Tent spots are shady while other ones are sunnier. They have rentals such as log cabins/ A-frames to rent also. Hot tubs and pools too!
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
ScoutAfter a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.
ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
ScoutBrought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
ScoutWe have been coming here seasonally and its become our little weekend escape. There is always something going on and the kids have made so many friends. Makes it easy to just pack a few things and head out.
Tent campsites near Buffumville Lake offer primitive to semi-developed options within forested settings. Winter camping remains available at select locations when temperatures drop below freezing, with snow-covered trails requiring additional preparation. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, closing during periods of heaviest rainfall when access roads become difficult to navigate.
Paddling exploration: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers access numerous islands and shoreline areas by water. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes camper Ben P.
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails from tent camping areas lead to cascading water features within walking distance. According to Jean C. at Tully Lake, "The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area," providing accessible natural attractions without driving.
Disc golf: The course near Tully Lake dam serves as a popular activity center during summer months. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," reports a camper who visited in July.
Historical exploration: Campers at Federated Women's Club State Forest can discover remnants of towns flooded during reservoir creation. "You'll find cellar holes throughout, remnants of the towns lost in the 30s to create the reservoir," explains Jean C., highlighting unusual historical features accessible from the campground.
Car-free environment: Many tent campsites prohibit vehicles at individual sites, creating quieter surroundings. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, camper Megan G. appreciates 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."
Isolation from technology: Limited cellular reception provides a genuine disconnect. 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," advises one visitor.
Island camping: Several locations feature tent sites on small islands accessible only by water. "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 Kris M. about Tully Lake.
Simple rustic settings: Buck Hill Campground emphasizes basic outdoor experiences without distractions. One camper notes, "The area is heavily wooded without much else around and very few amenities. A few of the clusters have a covered patio area with electricity."
Reservation timing: Popular tent sites book quickly during peak seasons. "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," warns Kris M. about Tully Lake.
Bathroom distances: Many tent sites require substantial walks to reach toilet facilities. At Barton Cove Campground, "Porta potties and latrines were very clean. There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers," advises camper Brie B.
Site access logistics: Most tent campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas to campsites. At Barton Cove, the process involves multiple steps: "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."
Holiday crowds: Weekend and holiday periods bring significantly different camping experiences. At Tully Lake, one camper reported, "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."
Cart availability: Several campgrounds provide wheeled carts to transport children and equipment from parking areas. At Tully Lake, stacey W. notes "They have carts to haul your stuff. Everything is clean and well maintained, and the staff was helpful and friendly."
Site selection for bathroom access: Families with young children benefit from sites closer to facilities. As Lauren A. from Tully Lake explains, "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."
Swimming access considerations: Water's Edge Campground and similar locations provide direct water entry points from tent sites, eliminating need for dedicated beach areas with young children.
Program availability: Ranger-led activities supplement family camping experiences at select locations. Nancy R. mentions that at Tully Lake, "There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only," providing structured activities beyond self-directed exploration.
Campground renovations: Sodom Mountain Campground has undergone significant improvements under new ownership. According to Brad N., "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer."
Tent-only designation: Many campgrounds near Buffumville Lake explicitly restrict RVs or large trailers, focusing exclusively on tent camping experiences without hookup infrastructure.
Size restrictions: Access roads to tent camping areas often contain tight turns and limited clearance. Miguel B. notes at Tully Lake, "If you are a car camper this is going to be more rustic as there is no driving up to the sites, but there is a main parking area and a few sites 50-100 yards away from it."
Off-season considerations: Tent campgrounds typically close between November and April with restricted access and limited services during shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Buffumville Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Buffumville Lake is Buck Hill Campground with a 4.0-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Buffumville Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Buffumville Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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