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State forests and recreation areas dominate the camping landscape around Erving, Massachusetts, a region in north central Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border. Erving State Forest Campground offers 27 wooded sites situated near a pond with a beach area, while nearby Tully Lake Recreation Area provides walk-in and boat-in tent camping managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Lake Dennison Recreation Area and Otter River State Forest, both offering a mix of tent and RV sites with varying levels of hookups. Most campgrounds in this forested region feature water access, hiking trails, and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with camping options ranging from primitive tent sites to RV-compatible areas with electric hookups.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Erving area, particularly during the peak season from late May through early October. Massachusetts state parks charge significantly higher fees for out-of-state visitors, sometimes three times the resident rate. Cell service is notably limited throughout the region, with one camper noting, "There is zero cell service at Erving State Forest, which is fine, but wished we knew ahead of time." Many campgrounds provide firewood for purchase, and most state-managed sites enforce quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The terrain is generally wooded with moderate hills, and campsites are typically shaded by tall pines. Weather remains pleasant through summer and early fall, though nights can be cool even in July and August.
Family-friendly camping experiences are frequently mentioned in visitor reviews of the area. Waterfront sites at places like Tully Lake are particularly sought after, with one camper advising, "Be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day reservations can be made if you want one of the prime sites with direct access to the lake." Most campgrounds offer swimming opportunities, either at designated beaches or from waterfront sites. Hiking trails connect directly to many campgrounds, with Doane's Falls near Tully Lake highlighted as a scenic attraction featuring a series of waterfalls. While facilities vary, most state forest campgrounds provide clean restrooms and some offer showers, though amenities tend to be basic rather than luxurious. The overall atmosphere is quiet and natural, making these campgrounds popular with families seeking a peaceful outdoor experience.
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"Volleyball and horseshoes are near the entrance. You may purchase firewood. The bathrooms offer flush toilets and a single shower on each site, plus a dishwashing sink outside."
from $40 / night
"It was fine, but not near the water. This time, we chose a site near the water, but it's literally surrounded by three other sites. It's not shown like that on the map."
"The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."
from $17 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts."
"I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts"
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river. Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful."
"Large, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests given the pandemic right now."
from $47 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This campground is pretty centrally located with easy access to grocery stores, gas, and the highway. It is down a quiet road far enough that you do not hear any traffic noise."
"There are 3 nice and short trails, 2 with a great view and the other that is quite steep down to a swimming hole."
"Our dart landed on Erving and we literally had never heard of it … so we were … skeptical. However, we were absolutely delighted by this great spot in the beautiful Erving State Forest. "
"Friends told me about this little gem in north central Massachusetts, not far from Rt 2. The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. "
from $17 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful surrounding area! Cons- swimming isn't allowed in the river! It's crystal clear and deep in spots right next to camp sites. Crushing blow that we couldn't play in it. Sites pretty tight."
"Close to highways."
"Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite- you check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate"
from $22 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Campsites are well shaded but if you have an RV take the time to rent an RV site otherwise backing in will put you in and awkward position as the mixed use “standard” sites are oriented towards tent camping"
"The campsite is big and away from another site. You can easilly access to hiking trails. The staff there are friendly and helpful. It's definitely a plus."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Good bathroom ,nice people, great lake."
"It just had an all-around great atmosphere. Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!"
from $34 - $47 / night
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TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
ScoutDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutWhere does one even begin to explain how great this campground is?! There’s truly a little bit of something for everyone here!
We absolutely loved our campsite. It had plenty of room, a good amount of privacy, and great tree coverage. Even when it rained, our fire pit somehow stayed pretty dang dry, which was a huge plus!
The rec hall was awesome and had so many cool arcade games to check out. They also offer kayak and canoe rentals for the pond, which has surprisingly clear, beautiful water.
One thing that REALLY stood out to us was how incredibly clean the bathrooms and showers were. They were well maintained and practically bug-free, which is almost unheard of at a campground!
On top of all that, everyone we came across—from the staff to the other campers—was super friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. It just had an all-around great atmosphere.
Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!
TravelerIt’s super cute here, there’s a rec room for older kids and playground for younger kids. It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet.
ScoutWe use Oakhaven as our first camping trip of the year typically it’s near a home less an hour away yet it feels like it’s much further. Well, located in a small community in southwestern Massachusetts. You can access a lot of tourist areas for day trips if you’re so inclined like Sturbridge mass or the Cobb and Reservoir area. This is a great campground for dogs nice areas to take a walk and also out into the main town area. Owners are pretty chill. There isn’t a ton of activities or special events. Just a few to keep things interesting. Camp store is well stocked.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
GuideThe first time we stayed here, we were in a different site. It was fine, but not near the water. This time, we chose a site near the water, but it's literally surrounded by three other sites. It's not shown like that on the map. We had to drive through someone else's setup to get to our site. There's no privacy as there was in our previous site. This is one of the few state parks in Massachusetts with a dump station
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
ScoutBeautiful campground. Private spaces. Staff is very friendly.
Camping sites near Erving, Massachusetts are concentrated along the Millers River valley at elevations between 400-600 feet. The area marks the transition zone between the Connecticut River Valley and the higher elevations of north-central Massachusetts, creating a diverse landscape of rolling hills, ponds, and mixed forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with July and August seeing average highs around 82°F and nighttime lows in the mid-50s.
Kayaking on Tully Lake: This man-made lake provides excellent flat-water paddling opportunities with islands to explore. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip! We will be returning," says Megan G. about Tully Lake Recreation Area.
Hiking to Doane's Falls: Located near Tully Lake, this series of waterfalls offers a scenic and relatively easy hiking experience. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," notes a visitor.
Paddle boarding on Lake Dennison: The calm waters make this an ideal spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. "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," explains Juliet P. about Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground.
Rail trail access: The Ashuelot Rail Trail connects directly to some campgrounds in the region. "You can pick up the Ashuelot Rail Trail at the campground. They have canoes and kayaks on site, plus a shuttle service for water sports or biking," reports Carry M.
Spacious wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer good separation between campsites. "Sites on the North side are spacious & quiet. The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road which is used by logging trucks," notes Bonnie B. about Lake Dennison Recreation Area.
Direct lake access: Waterfront sites are particularly valued at Otter River State Forest. "The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent," explains Jean C., adding that sites 65, 67, and 68 are walk-in sites with "the tent area lower, closer to the water."
Hiking trail connections: The region offers many interconnected trails. "There are several lookouts on the journey to the summit, and the view from the top is amazing," shares Jake F. about hiking at Monadnock State Park, which includes the Gilson Pond Area Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms/showers are centrally located, but there are pit toilets distributed throughout the campground. The pit toilets are clean and, this early in the season at least, odorless, with waterless hand cleanser available," notes a camper.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. "There is zero cell service at Erving State Forest, which is fine, but wished we knew ahead of time," reports Tim S. at Erving State Forest Campground. At Tully Lake, "cell service is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive."
Reservation timing: The most desirable sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day reservations can be made if you want one of the prime sites," advises a Tully Lake visitor.
Water system issues: Occasional maintenance problems can affect water availability. Jean C. notes at Monadnock State Park: "Before I left I received a call notifying me that there was a problem with the water system, so there would be no running water during my stay. Upon arrival they provided me with a gallon of water and a bundle of firewood to compensate."
Off-season limitations: Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from late May through mid-October. Lake Dennison is open "late May to early September" while Otter River State Forest operates from "mid May to mid October."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "There is a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games," notes a visitor to Fort Dummer State Park Campground.
Biking opportunities: The relatively flat terrain at some campgrounds makes for kid-friendly biking. At Lake Dennison, "the lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. There are ample trails for hiking and kids can ride their bikes."
Car-free camping: At Tully Lake, "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," reports Megan G.
Quiet campground sections: Some campgrounds have areas that are better suited for families seeking peace. At Otter River State Forest, one visitor noted it was "relaxing, beautiful, and had enough to keep us busy!"
Site selection for larger RVs: Not all campgrounds accommodate bigger rigs. At Ashuelot River Campground, "Sites big enough for our 42' 5th wheel and 2 cars. Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups," reports John C.
Bridge restrictions: Some access roads have covered bridges that restrict RV passage. "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru," warns Camie S. about Ashuelot River Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric options vary widely between campgrounds. Wayne B. notes that Ashuelot River Campground offers "huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want?"
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. Jean C. notes that for Otter River State Forest, "Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping facilities are available at Erving State Forest?
Erving State Forest Campground offers basic camping facilities in a peaceful woodland setting. The campground features well-maintained campsites tucked into the forest with tent pads and fire rings. Bathroom facilities with showers are available for campers. The campground is arranged in a traditional layout with sites that accommodate both tents and small RVs. For those seeking similar facilities nearby, Federated Womens Club State Forest offers primitive walk-in campsites, though you'll need to check in at Erving State Forest first when this campground is operational.
What recreational activities can I enjoy while camping at Erving State Forest?
Erving State Forest offers numerous recreational activities for campers. The area features excellent hiking trails through beautiful woodlands. Swimming is available in the forest's pond, perfect for cooling off during summer months. Similar to Otter River State Forest, which offers swimming in a pond with the camping pass, Erving provides water recreation opportunities. Fishing is popular in the area's waterways. For more diverse recreation, nearby Wells State Park Campground offers an extensive trail system with varying difficulty levels for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts, demonstrating the rich recreational options available in Massachusetts state forests.
Do I need reservations for camping at Erving State Forest?
Yes, reservations are recommended for camping at Erving State Forest, especially during peak summer months. Similar to Tully Lake Recreation Area, which requires reservations through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations, Erving State Forest's reservation system helps ensure site availability. At Willard Brook State Forest Campground, another Massachusetts state forest campground, downloading reservation information and maps beforehand is advised since cell service can be unreliable in these forested areas.
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