Tent campsites near Buffumville Lake offer primitive to semi-developed options within forested settings. Winter camping remains available at select locations when temperatures drop below freezing, with snow-covered trails requiring additional preparation. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, closing during periods of heaviest rainfall when access roads become difficult to navigate.
What to do
Paddling exploration: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers access numerous islands and shoreline areas by 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," notes camper Ben P.
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails from tent camping areas lead to cascading water features within walking distance. According to Jean C. at Tully Lake, "The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area," providing accessible natural attractions without driving.
Disc golf: The course near Tully Lake dam serves as a popular activity center during summer months. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," reports a camper who visited in July.
Historical exploration: Campers at Federated Women's Club State Forest can discover remnants of towns flooded during reservoir creation. "You'll find cellar holes throughout, remnants of the towns lost in the 30s to create the reservoir," explains Jean C., highlighting unusual historical features accessible from the campground.
What campers like
Car-free environment: Many tent campsites prohibit vehicles at individual sites, creating quieter surroundings. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, camper Megan G. appreciates that "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."
Isolation from technology: Limited cellular reception provides a genuine disconnect. 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," advises one visitor.
Island camping: Several locations feature tent sites on small islands accessible only by water. "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods," reports Kris M. about Tully Lake.
Simple rustic settings: Buck Hill Campground emphasizes basic outdoor experiences without distractions. One camper notes, "The area is heavily wooded without much else around and very few amenities. A few of the clusters have a covered patio area with electricity."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular tent sites book quickly during peak seasons. "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," warns Kris M. about Tully Lake.
Bathroom distances: Many tent sites require substantial walks to reach toilet facilities. At Barton Cove Campground, "Porta potties and latrines were very clean. There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers," advises camper Brie B.
Site access logistics: Most tent campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas to campsites. At Barton Cove, the process involves multiple steps: "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."
Holiday crowds: Weekend and holiday periods bring significantly different camping experiences. At Tully Lake, one camper reported, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Cart availability: Several campgrounds provide wheeled carts to transport children and equipment from parking areas. At Tully Lake, stacey W. notes "They have carts to haul your stuff. Everything is clean and well maintained, and the staff was helpful and friendly."
Site selection for bathroom access: Families with young children benefit from sites closer to facilities. As Lauren A. from Tully Lake explains, "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."
Swimming access considerations: Water's Edge Campground and similar locations provide direct water entry points from tent sites, eliminating need for dedicated beach areas with young children.
Program availability: Ranger-led activities supplement family camping experiences at select locations. Nancy R. mentions that at Tully Lake, "There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only," providing structured activities beyond self-directed exploration.
Tips from RVers
Campground renovations: Sodom Mountain Campground has undergone significant improvements under new ownership. According to Brad N., "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer."
Tent-only designation: Many campgrounds near Buffumville Lake explicitly restrict RVs or large trailers, focusing exclusively on tent camping experiences without hookup infrastructure.
Size restrictions: Access roads to tent camping areas often contain tight turns and limited clearance. Miguel B. notes at Tully Lake, "If you are a car camper this is going to be more rustic as there is no driving up to the sites, but there is a main parking area and a few sites 50-100 yards away from it."
Off-season considerations: Tent campgrounds typically close between November and April with restricted access and limited services during shoulder seasons.
