Tent campsites near Goshen, Massachusetts sit within the western highlands region where elevations range from 1,400 to 2,000 feet. The higher terrain creates cooler temperatures with evening lows frequently dropping into the 50s even during summer months. Most primitive camping areas require advance reservations during peak season with many facilities closing after October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: Campers staying at Zoar Outdoor can book guided rafting and tubing trips directly from the campground. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," notes Seth K. Many sites lack river views but provide convenient access to outfitted water excursions.
Railroad watching: The Chester Railway Station offers a unique camping experience adjacent to active rail lines. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. You hear the trains running at night," writes Esther L. Campers can pitch tents on the field surrounding the caboose accommodation.
Waterfalls exploration: Multiple cascading waterfalls can be accessed within a 30-minute drive from most Goshen-area campsites. Doane's Falls near Tully Lake features a series of five distinct drops along an easy hiking path. "From the main entrance, collect a cart, load your gear, and following the appropriate divergent path from the parking lot or bath house. The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area," reports Jean C.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Many campers praise the privacy at Tully Lake Recreation Area. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private," writes Megan G. The campground's walk-in layout prevents vehicles from accessing individual campsites, creating a more rustic experience with minimal noise.
Swimming access: Multiple tent camping areas provide direct water access without formal swimming beaches. "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," says Ben P. about Tully Lake. Site selection significantly impacts water access, with waterfront locations typically booking months in advance.
No-hassle camping equipment transport: Several campgrounds offer assistance with moving gear. At Maple Ridge Farm, "They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," reports Les R. Similarly, Tully Lake provides wooden carts for equipment hauling, with color-coded paths leading to individual sites.
What you should know
Walk-in requirements: Nearly all tent campgrounds near Goshen require some gear hauling. At Barton Cove Campground, "The 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, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key, drive back to campground, walk to your site," explains Brie B.
Fire restrictions: Policies vary significantly between sites. Zoar Outdoor prohibits campfires entirely, with one camper noting, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive." Most state forest sites permit fires in designated rings when seasonal fire danger is low.
Limited amenities: Most tent sites offer basic facilities only. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," advises Jean C. Cell service remains poor or non-existent at many locations, particularly in state forest campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Tully Lake offers equipment rentals directly from the campground. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip!" writes Megan G. The lake features multiple small islands to explore, with shallow protected coves suitable for younger swimmers.
Bathroom proximity: When booking with children, prioritize sites closer to facilities. At Seth Warner Shelter, tent spots are located some distance from composting toilets, which can be challenging with small children. At Tully Lake, one camper noted their site was "fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night."
Weather preparation: The elevated terrain around Goshen experiences significant temperature fluctuations, particularly in spring and fall. Evening temperatures often drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs. Pack additional layers even for summer camping, as nighttime temperatures can fall into the 50s.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Goshen cannot accommodate RVs due to access limitations. At Sodom Mountain Campground, "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired," notes Brad N., but many forest camping areas have rougher access roads requiring higher clearance vehicles.
Alternating accommodations: Several campgrounds offer both tent sites and cabin options. At Zoar Outdoor, cabins provide a more comfortable experience with the same access to activities. "Overall had a wonderful experience at Zoar campsite in Charlemont MA. Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting," reports Dominick V.
