Best Tent Camping near Goshen, MA
State forests and public lands surrounding Goshen, Massachusetts offer diverse tent camping opportunities within the Berkshire foothills. Tully Lake Recreation Area, located 25 miles northeast in Royalston, provides tent-only campsites with walk-in access and waterfront options. Barton Cove Campground in Gill features rustic tent platforms with views of the Connecticut River. Closer to Goshen, Federated Women's Club State Forest offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities and trail access. Zoar Outdoor provides tent sites near whitewater activities on the Deerfield River, while Chester Railway Station offers a unique tent camping experience near active rail lines.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require some degree of gear hauling from parking areas to campsites. Tully Lake provides wooden carts to transport equipment along color-coded paths to tent sites. Surface conditions vary from established tent platforms at Barton Cove to natural forest floor at more primitive locations. Fire regulations differ significantly between sites - Zoar Outdoor prohibits campfires while most state forest campsites include fire rings. Seasonal access typically runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, though some primitive backcountry tent sites remain open year-round. Campers should bring water containers as drinking water access points are limited at most locations.
Walk-in tent sites throughout the region offer exceptional privacy compared to standard campgrounds. A camper at Tully Lake noted, "Sites closer to the water were less private but still peaceful and spread out. No cars at the campsites made for a super quiet stay." The absence of vehicle access creates a more authentic tent camping experience. At Barton Cove, one visitor reported that despite the "hassle" of the gate system for unloading gear, "it was worth it" for the quiet and privacy. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for water activities, with Tully Lake offering canoe and kayak rentals directly from the campground. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at most primitive tent camping locations, allowing for a true disconnect from daily routines.