Best Tent Camping near Cummington, MA
Tent camping opportunities near Cummington, Massachusetts include a mix of established tent campgrounds and more primitive walk-in sites throughout the Berkshire region. Zoar Outdoor provides tent camping with water activities on the nearby river, while Chester Railway Station offers unique tent sites with the option to sleep in a historic caboose. Tully Lake Recreation Area, located in Royalston, provides tent-only sites that require campers to park and walk in, with some sites offering direct lake access.
Most tent campgrounds in the area are rustic with basic amenities. Tully Lake Recreation Area provides large wooden wheelbarrows to transport gear from the parking area to individual sites, which are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. A visitor commented that "sites closer to the water were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out." Central bathhouses with flush toilets and pay showers are common at established campgrounds, while more primitive sites may only offer vault toilets. Fires are permitted at most locations except Zoar Outdoor, where campfires are prohibited at individual sites. Campers should check seasonal restrictions, as some areas like Federated Women's Club State Forest have seasonal closures.
Tent sites in the region offer varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Many tent campsites feature proximity to water, with Tully Lake providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking directly from campsites. A recent review noted that Tully Lake "was the trifecta for us, where we could fish, kayak, and swim!" Walk-in sites, though requiring more effort to access, typically provide greater seclusion and a more immersive outdoor experience. For backcountry camping experiences, Laurel Ridge in Mount Everett State Reservation offers tent platforms accessible only by hiking, with stunning valley views that reward the challenging trek. Most tent camping areas see moderate use during summer weekends, with quieter conditions midweek and during shoulder seasons.
