Otter River State Forest and Willard Brook State Forest provide yurt camping opportunities near Gardner, Massachusetts, where the terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,300 feet. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forest conditions. Campsites in these state forests typically include flat, compact soil surfaces surrounded by mature pine and hardwood trees.
What to do
Hiking trails: Several miles of trails at Bear Brook State Park Campground offer varied terrain for day hikes. "There are hiking trails in the area and, of course, swimming at the small pond. A nearby roadside waterfall offers another picnic area opportunity. For a longer hike, you can hike to and from Pearl Lake State Park," notes one Bear Brook State Park Campground visitor.
Water recreation: Paddling opportunities exist at multiple locations including Ashuelot River. "The river is wide and looks great for floating when the weather is warmer. We didn't catch any fish but there's always next time," shares a camper who stayed at Ashuelot River Campground.
Historical exploration: Visit the CCC museum at Bear Brook to learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps that built much of the park infrastructure. "For history, check out the antique snowmobile museum and the Civilian Conservation Corp(CCC) museum. The CCC built much of the infrastructure here and elsewhere in the country," explains a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering more seclusion than others. At Willard Brook State Forest Campground, "Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers. They are level and there's not a lot of brush between sites, so not much privacy either. I liked site 3 for a bit more privacy."
Natural soundscapes: Several campgrounds feature running water that creates peaceful background noise. At The Pine Campground, "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night," according to one camper.
Facility cleanliness: Many visitors comment on bathroom maintenance. At George Washington State Campground, a camper noted, "Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer weekends, especially at smaller campgrounds like Erving State Forest with limited sites. "This is a very small campground with only 27 sites and only 13 sites open during the 2020 / Covid Season," reports a visitor to Erving State Forest Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At Erving State Forest, one camper warns, "There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine... but wished we knew ahead of time."
Price considerations: Non-resident fees can be substantial at Massachusetts state parks. "If you are from out of state, check fees carefully. In 2020 MA increased fees significantly in light of the pandemic. Prices are steep for what you get if you are out of state," advises a Willard Brook visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple beach areas provide opportunities for water play. At Wells State Park Campground, "The campground is clean and well kept. The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy."
Playground access: Choose sites strategically based on playground proximity. At The Pine Campground, one camper shared, "We were pleasantly surprised to find this campground local to us. 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."
Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds offer special amenities for children. "This campground is clean and well-maintained. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both)," reports an Otter River State Forest visitor.
Tips for RVers
Site selection: Pay close attention to site dimensions and access when booking. At Willard Brook, "Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units... Site 11 is larger and can accommodate a larger unit."
Hookup availability: Most state forest campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. At Erving State Forest, there are no hookups available, while at George Washington State Campground, a visitor noted: "no hook-ups yet it cost $36 for out of state residents plus the fees which put it up to $44."
Road access considerations: Research routes carefully before arrival. "I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area... I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner," advises a Bear Brook visitor.
