Tent camping near Harvard, Massachusetts provides access to wooded terrain within New England's distinctive seasonal landscape. The area falls within USDA hardiness zone 5b, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Campgrounds in this region typically operate from May through October, with some sites requiring advanced booking up to 6 months ahead during peak summer weekends.
What to do
Paddling experiences: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards directly at the campground. "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. The lake features several islands and protected coves for exploration.
Beach access: Cape Ann Camp Site offers proximity to nearby beaches for day trips. "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," writes camper Ron C. The campground sits approximately 1.5 miles from Good Harbor Beach, which features soft sand and moderate surf conditions.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks surround the camping areas. "If you continue past site 15, you'll head through Gate 36 out toward Soapstone Hill which offers a great view of Quabbin Reservoir and sunsets," explains a reviewer of Federated Womens Club State Forest. Many sites connect to trail networks ranging from easy 1-mile loops to more challenging 4-7 mile routes with moderate elevation changes.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Cape Ann Camp Site receives positive reviews for site separation. "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome," notes Lajaun C., while another camper mentions "it was clean & secluded enough but close enough to others to meet & greet if you wanted." Most tent sites feature natural buffers of trees or rock formations.
Island camping experience: Boston Harbor Islands provides a unique camping option. "Unless you book one of the 12 yurts on Peddocks island, the camping is rustic; you'll need to bring everything, including water," explains one camper. Martha H. notes, "During the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore. This is a great adventure for kids."
Natural features: Many campgrounds incorporate distinctive landscape elements. "The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits. We were tent camping and were very happy with our site," writes Dan about Cape Ann Camp Site. Wildlife sightings commonly include wild turkeys, deer, and various bird species across campgrounds in the region.
What you should know
Cart-hauling requirements: Tully Lake Recreation Area uses a parking lot system requiring gear transportation. "The sites here are great, if you aren't bringing too much with you (or are staying long enough you don't mind the multiple treks to and from the car for various streches)," explains Kris M. Sites range from 50 yards to nearly a mile from parking, with carts provided but potentially difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain.
Limited amenities at some locations: Federated Womens Club State Forest offers minimal facilities. "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," advises Jean C. Cell coverage at this location is "faint to nonexistent on Verizon," suggesting downloading offline maps before arrival.
Reservation timelines: Peak season requires advance planning. For Tully Lake, a camper notes, "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." Boston Harbor Islands reservations open 6 months in advance with sites filling quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Camp Nihan Education Center provides structured learning experiences. "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods," reports Michael V. The camp's proximity to Breakheart Reservation adds "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails."
Island exploration with kids: Boston Harbor Islands offers unique family adventures despite logistical challenges. "This is a great adventure for kids. On peddocks island there is plenty of drinking water available and a ranger station," explains Martha H. Children can earn Junior Ranger badges from the National Park Service while exploring historic forts.
Water access considerations: For families with small children, site selection matters. At Tully Lake, "Quiet, peaceful, great people! We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out. No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around," writes Megan G.
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers limited RV options. A visitor notes, "The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads." Sites typically accommodate smaller RVs with limited hookup options.
Hookup availability: Cape Ann Camp Site offers water and electric connections for RVs. "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," reports Ben E. The campground provides a dump station near the entrance rather than full sewer hookups at individual sites.
Shower facilities: Pay showers are common at campgrounds in the region. According to a Cape Ann camper, "The showers require payment with quarters." Another notes costs are typically "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower" at facilities, suggesting bringing adequate change for longer stays.
