Tent camping near Fiskdale, Massachusetts offers a true New England woodland camping experience where most locations sit at elevations between 500-1,200 feet. The region experiences typical northeastern seasonal changes with camping typically running from May through October when temperatures range from 50-80°F. Most tent sites in this region require campers to transport gear from parking areas to their sites using designated paths.
What to do
Lake activities: At Tully Lake Recreation Area visitors can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to explore the 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," shares camper Ben P.
Waterfall hiking: Doane's Falls near Tully Lake offers accessible hiking with multiple cascades. "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 Nancy R.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to ponds and lakes with fishing opportunities. At Buck Hill Campground, campers enjoy Wakefield Pond. One visitor reports, "The area is heavily wooded without much else around and very few amenities... Thos is the type of campground to just come and unwind, fish, cook, etc don't expect much else."
What campers like
Quiet, vehicle-free camping: Tent campers appreciate the separation from vehicles at many sites. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, one reviewer noted, "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."
Private waterfront sites: Barton Cove Campground offers tent platforms with views through the trees. A visitor explains, "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."
Rustic, natural settings: Onion Mountain Park provides primitive camping that feels more remote. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent but has a firepit already set up," says camper Nora S.
What you should know
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds require walking gear in from parking areas. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, "Some of the sites are definitely walk-in, with a narrow trail leading from the road. It's possible to park at other sites; I'm guessing the gate at the beginning of the road toward the campground is open when the campground is open."
Limited amenities: Most primitive sites have minimal facilities. Jean C. notes about Federated Women's Club State Forest: "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field."
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly during peak seasons. For Tully Lake Recreation Area, one visitor advises, "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."
Cell service limitations: Many woodland camping areas have poor connectivity. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Cart availability: River Highlands State Park River Campground and other sites provide transport assistance. At Tully Lake, "You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them," notes Sa R., making gear transport more manageable with children.
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities. Lauren A. shares about Tully Lake: "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 and neighboring campers."
Wildlife awareness: Natural settings mean insect and wildlife encounters. Alicia B. warns about River Highlands: "As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders (which might be expected in a natural setting like this)."
First-timer friendly options: Some sites work better for novice campers. Marshall S. says about Onion Mountain Park: "It is a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it."
Tips from RVers
Unique alternatives: For campers wanting RV comforts without driving an RV, Chester Railway Station offers caboose lodging. "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night," reports Esther L.
Improvements at established grounds: Some private campgrounds are upgrading facilities. At Sodom Mountain Campground, a camper notes, "This campground has improved with the new owners as of 2021... All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back."
Campground regulations: Be aware that rules vary significantly between locations. One Barton Cove camper stated, "It seemed like there were a lot of restrictive rules compared to other campgrounds that made camping more stressful."
