Best Tent Camping near Easthampton Town, MA
Tent campsites near Easthampton Town, Massachusetts range from established campgrounds to more primitive backcountry options. Tully Lake Recreation Area offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Barton Cove Campground provides tent platforms with scenic views. Several state forests in the region, including Federated Womens Club State Forest, maintain rustic tent camping areas that require minimal travel from nearby parking areas.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require campers to park and walk to their sites. At Tully Lake, wooden wheelbarrows are provided to transport gear from the parking area to campsites. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some offering flush toilets and coin-operated showers, while others provide only basic vault toilets or composting facilities. Fire regulations differ by location, with most established campgrounds permitting fires in designated rings. Several primitive tent camping areas like Onion Mountain Park require no permits but have no amenities, making them suitable for experienced campers prepared to follow leave-no-trace principles.
The tent camping experience in western Massachusetts offers varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sites at Tully Lake are described as "spacious and extremely private," particularly those farther from the water. The absence of vehicles at many campgrounds creates a quieter atmosphere appreciated by tent campers. Primitive sites at locations like Onion Mountain Park provide a more authentic wilderness experience, though campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters. Areas with water access, such as Barton Cove and Tully Lake, allow for swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities directly from tent sites. As one visitor noted, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. 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."
