Best Tent Camping near Colrain, MA
Tent campsites near Colrain, Massachusetts offer a mix of established campgrounds and walk-in sites across the region's forests and waterways. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston provides tent-only camping with walk-in access and waterfront sites, while Zoar Outdoor in nearby Charlemont offers tent camping with amenities like showers and drinking water. Barton Cove Campground, located along the French King Highway in Gill, provides tent sites with boat-in and walk-in access options.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets. Tully Lake operates as a carry-in campground where vehicles remain in a central parking area and wooden wheelbarrows are provided to transport gear to campsites. Sites at Barton Cove include tent platforms, grills, fire pits and picnic tables with clean porta-potties and latrines available. Water access varies significantly between locations - Tully Lake has a central water source requiring refillable containers, while Barton Cove has limited water access points. Seasonal operation affects availability, with Barton Cove operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The tent camping experience in this region offers opportunities for water recreation and hiking. Tully Lake provides canoe and kayak rentals with numerous islands to explore, plus hiking trails including the scenic Doane's Falls path featuring a series of five waterfalls. Many sites offer privacy and separation from neighboring campers. A visitor to Tully Lake noted, "The campsites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping." Maple Ridge Farm in nearby Vermont provides walk-in tent sites with exceptional privacy, as one camper described: "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."