Gardner, Massachusetts sits at an elevation of 1,100 feet in the north-central part of the state. The region, often called "Chair City" due to its furniture-making history, features a blend of deciduous and coniferous forests with a continental climate that brings four distinct seasons. Camping opportunities near Gardner are concentrated within a 15-mile radius, with most sites available from mid-May through early October when temperatures range from 45°F at night to 85°F during peak summer days.
What to do
Paddle sports on Tully Lake: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities. "Tully Lake had closed for the season before an early October snowstorm, but it was a beautiful day to explore and enjoy... You can get in here with a smaller RV, but the campground isn't built for larger units with the turns and curves," notes one Tully Lake Recreation Area visitor.
Visit Doane's Falls: Located near the Tully Lake campground entrance, this natural attraction features five cascading waterfalls. "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. The views are beautiful," shares a camper.
Mountain hiking at Monadnock: About 20 miles northwest of Gardner, Monadnock State Park offers challenging trails leading to panoramic views. "Mount Monadnock is 3,165 feet tall and is best known because of its cameos in writings by both Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's quite a prominent peak in southern New Hampshire, and I've heard tell that it's the second most hiked mountain in the world, after Mount Fuji in Japan."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Pearl Hill State Park's campground offers secluded camping under tall pines and oaks. "We really lucked out with getting one of a few sites left on Memorial Day weekend - after walking the campground, I think we would have chosen the same one again! #18 is right next to a ravine, so it was wooded on one side, and the two adjacent camps were visible but not on top of us," writes a visitor to Pearl Hill State Park.
Heated pool facilities: Some private campgrounds offer swimming options beyond natural bodies of water. A camper at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort notes, "The facilities are excellent, one night a brick oven pizza vendor came in. Great pools, lake, store, very clean and well maintained. Lots of little ones having a great time here."
Nighttime quiet: Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly. "This is one of the quietest and most peaceful campgrounds I've ever stayed at. The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly, and the mosquitoes are ferocious, but I can't give a campground a bad review because of the mosquitoes," mentions a Lake Dennison visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "I lost cell coverage (Verizon) as I approached the campground, so you may want to ensure you have maps downloaded for offline use if you'll be out exploring," reports a Pearl Hill camper. At Willard Brook State Forest, another camper advises, "Cell coverage 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."
Insect preparedness: Bug protection is essential, particularly in summer months. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay. Loud throughout. Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," a Tully Lake visitor notes.
Shower availability varies: Not all state park campgrounds offer full facilities. One Willard Brook camper reports, "A nice and quiet Campground- we were there alone... But no showers and the men's restroom was a complete mess! Disgusting. For 40 US-Dollar far too expensive."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "This campground is clean and well kept. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both)," shares a camper from Otter River State Forest.
Activity variety: Resort-style campgrounds provide numerous entertainment options. "They have everything from go-kart/kayak rentals to mini-golf/arcade, but it all costs extra on top of the camp ground being pretty pricey, @80$/night for a tent site," explains a Pine Acres visitor. The added amenities often justify higher rates for families seeking entertainment options.
Site selection strategy: Choose campsites strategically based on bathroom proximity when camping with young children. "Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream. Playground was a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun," notes a visitor to The Pines Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Many campgrounds near Gardner have limited space for larger rigs. At Spacious Skies Minute Man, a camper advises, "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map! Good fire pit and nice facilities."
Hook-up availability: While full hookups exist at some private campgrounds, state parks offer more limited options. "Clean sites and facilities. Staff was very helpful. Sites are a bit on the smaller side and not very private. Great location to see some of the historical sites in the area. Heated pool was great!" reports a Minute Man visitor.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site waste disposal. One Otter River visitor notes, "Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison." RVers should plan ahead for service availability.
