Glamping close to Harvard, Massachusetts offers options within a 35-mile radius in Massachusetts and neighboring New Hampshire. The region features hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 300-1,000 feet with hot summers reaching the mid-80s and cold winters dropping below freezing. Campgrounds typically operate from May through October when temperatures are most conducive to outdoor recreation and facilities remain open.
What to do
Hiking trails at Willard Brook: Sites are positioned near multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "The trails in the park are nice and well maintained. The larger pond has a nice beach and picnic area. Hang out by the stream with a little bridge and be lullaby-ed by the whooshing waters," notes a visitor to Willard Brook State Forest Campground.
Swimming at Otter River: The pond at Otter River provides summer cooling options when temperatures rise. "I stayed here in the summer of 2020. The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground," shares a camper at Otter River State Forest.
Paddling on Pawtuckaway Lake: Explore multiple islands by canoe or kayak when glamping near Harvard. "This a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," explains a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park.
Visit historic sites: Combine your glamping adventure with Revolutionary War history exploration. "Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston," mentions a camper at Hanscom AFB FamCamp.
What campers like
Private waterfront glamping: Sites along ponds and lakes offer natural sounds and views. "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night," shares a reviewer at The Pine Campground.
Clean bathroom facilities: Recent renovations at several campgrounds have improved shower and restroom options. "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space," notes a visitor to Wells State Park Campground.
Accessibility to Boston: Many glamping sites provide convenient bases for day trips to Boston and surrounding areas. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)," reports a camper at George Washington State Campground.
Seasonal variation: Fall foliage creates spectacular backdrops for glamping experiences. "It is absolutely lovely in the fall, especially on the water at the campers' beach. Quite calm and scenic. Site 2, right nearby, is a great spot. Fairly large and literally feet away from the beach," describes a visitor at Wells State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Waterfront sites book fastest, especially on weekends. "The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller and most of them are designated for tents only or tents/popups," advises a camper at Otter River.
Site specifications: Many glamping yurts accommodate larger groups but have specific limitations. "We stayed from thursday thru tuesday and the police drove through at least once a day that i noticed. not that they needed to. we are going back in aug and renting the yurt that they have there and bringing the whole family," mentions a visitor to Willard Brook.
Variable pricing: Non-residents often pay higher fees at state parks. "If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is $36/night. Is it worth it? Eh, probably not unless you're really jonesing to camp for a weekend in the Ocean State," notes a reviewer at George Washington State Campground.
Road noise: Some sites experience traffic sounds despite natural settings. "There is a nice beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe. The dogs cannot go on the beach, but they can go in the boats. I stayed at a hike in camp site. It is a difficult hike in and I only recommend for backpackers. It is very noisy, the road has heavy traffic," cautions a camper at George Washington.
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Multiple swimming facilities provide alternatives during hot weather. "We've been back her a few times because my girls love it. They have 3 outdoor pools(sports,toddler,regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days. They have a few animals the kids can feed," shares a visitor at Friendly Beaver Campground.
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer organized children's programs. "They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events. Separate and Clean bathrooms with showers. Store has all you need," continues the same Friendly Beaver reviewer.
Beach access: Sandy areas provide easier water entry for younger children. "This campground is small - but its conveniently located near a larger city if you decide you want to venture back to civilization. The trails in the park are nice and well maintained. The larger pond has a nice beach and picnic area," explains a visitor to Willard Brook.
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities when glamping with small children. "The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space. Camp sites are clearly labeled and none are that far of a walk from the beach or bathrooms," advises a Wells State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. "We unexpectedly arrived at the campground around 10pm, after a long and grueling day on the road. The site (or what we could see of it) seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway," cautions a visitor to Wells State Park.
Pull-through availability: Limited options exist for larger rigs. "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. They are level and there's not a lot of brush between sites," notes a Willard Brook reviewer.
Hookup variations: Electric access differs between campgrounds. "Small camp ground, close to Boston, only 25 miles out. Kinda cool watching the airplanes take off and land with the small airport next door. No playground but a few open grassy fields," explains a visitor to Hanscom AFB FamCamp.
Limited dump stations: Plan ahead for wastewater disposal when glamping in an RV. "The yurt does offer electricity, but there are no hookups nor a dump station at the campground. There are flush toilets, but no showers. The small bathroom was under renovation autumn 2020. There is a dishwashing sink," warns a camper at Willard Brook.
