Best Tent Camping near Holden, MA

Are you planning a tent camping trip to Holden? We've got you covered. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Holden campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Holden, MA (17)

    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    1. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    31 Reviews
    380 Photos
    310 Saves
    North Reading, Massachusetts

    The campground, also known as Lorraine Campground, has 91 campsites that are spread out sufficiently to provide a real "forest" camping experience. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and a pedestal grill. A water spigot is located on each campsite and a dumping station is available. We are pleased to inform you that we now have eleven campsites with 20/30/50 AMP hookups! The comfort stations have showers and flush toilets. Comfort station 3 and 4 are accessible.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $17 - $54 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    2. Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    9 Reviews
    90 Photos
    3 Saves
    Royalston, Massachusetts

    Overview

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to come relax at Tully Lake. There are a variety of outdoor recreation activities for you and you family. Although the dam was built primarily to reduce flood damages on the Millers and Connecticut Rivers, the 1,300-acre reservoir area provides a place for you to get away from it all and connect with nature.

    Recreation

    Tully Lake offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Activities in and around the lake include mountain biking, camping, disc golf, hiking, picnicking, boating, and fishing and hunting in the appropriate seasons.

    Facilities

    The Tully Lake Pavilion is located in the recreation area and offers picnic tables and grills. Maximum group size is 50 people with parking for 25 passenger vehicles at the upper gravel lot. The recreation area has a small playground for young children, volleyball court, and a horseshoe pit. Bathrooms are provided, but there is no running water.

    Natural Features

    The 1,262-acre Tully Lake property is managed to sustain a healthy ecosystem for future generations. The thriving biodiversity of the Tully River Valley and the interconnections of our forests, wetlands, waters, and wildlife are valued and managed for the long term. Tully Lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from tiny insects and song birds, to large mammals such as deer and moose. Fifty-five percent of the reservoir area is wetlands, providing habitat for fish, waterfowl, song birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals such as beaver, mink and otter. The rest of the property provides habitat for upland species such as deer, coyote, fisher, owl, fox, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, rabbit, and squirrel. The forest within Tully Dam's reservoir area is composed primarily of white pine, providing habitat for owls and woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, and white-tailed deer.

    Nearby Attractions

    When visiting Tully Lake there are several opportunities for visitors to explore in the surrounding area. At the north end of the lake there is a tent only campground run by the Trustees of the Reservations which provides a perfect launching point to enjoy the outdoor attractions nearby. Ten miles away is the Birch Hill Dam, another Army Corps project that provides miles of trails and river to explore. The Quabbin Reservoir is also within a short ten mile drive of Tully Lake and serves the city of Boston as its water supply. The Quabbin is a unique area; there were four towns flooded to create it, and it has some of the most interesting blends of human and natural history in the region.

    Charges & Cancellations

    Please review the cancellation and refund policy at the bottom of the webpage. In general, we will require at least two weeks prior to your reservation to consider a request.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash

    $40 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Greenfield State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Willard Brook State Forest

    4. Willard Brook State Forest

    4 Reviews
    38 Photos
    69 Saves
    Ashby, Massachusetts
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)

    $14 - $23 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Federated Womens Club State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Buck Hill Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Buck Hill Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

    7. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    67 Photos
    88 Saves
    Hull, Massachusetts

    Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park welcomes campers to one of many campsites located on Peddocks Island.

    Enjoy a night under the stars at Boston Harbor’s second largest island, featuring wooded campsites, miles of trails, and scenic beaches. Campers can reserve a tent site or one of many newly installed yurts featuring bunk beds and electricity.

    Peddocks Island can be accessed by park ferry from Hingham or by private boat.

    Experience the ultimate urban escape with an overnight camping stay on the Boston Harbor Islands!

    Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park welcomes campers to one of many campsites located on Peddocks Island.

    2023 camping reservations open on Wednesday, April 19!

    Enjoy a night under the stars at Boston Harbor’s second largest island, featuring wooded campsites, miles of trails, and scenic beaches. Campers can reserve a tent site or one of many newly installed yurts featuring bunk beds and electricity.

    Peddocks Island can be accessed by park ferry from Hingham or by private boat. Island Campgrounds

    Peddocks Island tent campsites can accommodate up to 4 adults or 2 adults and their dependent children. Group sites are also available and can accommodate up to 30 people.

    Yurt campgrounds are also available on Peddocks Island. Yurts accommodate up to 6 people and feature bunk beds and electricity.

    All campsites feature composting toilets and picnic tables. Running water and flush toilets are available at the Visitor Center near the ferry dock. Grills and shade shelters are available within close walking distance of most sites.

    Resident staff live on the Island during the visiting season and provide Island supervision, emergency communication, park and campground management

    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Yurts
    • Glamping

    $8 - $70 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities

    8. Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    3 Saves
    Edward MacDowell Lake, New Hampshire

    Overview

    Edward MacDowell Lake is situated in a quiet corner of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.

    This day-use area lies just off State Route 101 on the shores of the picturesque lake named after the famous composer and concert pianist, Edward Alexander MacDowell.

    Natural Features:

    The 165-acre lake is surrounded by densely forested rolling hills. Shady pine, birch, poplar, maple, oak, beech, hemlock and alder trees cover the area.

    Wildlife is abundant in and around the park. White-tailed deer, moose, beaver, fisher, muskrat, otter and many other mammals make their homes around the lake. Birders may observe many species including osprey, hawks, owls, great blue herons, woodpeckers, waterfowl and songbirds.

    Recreation:

    Visitors can spend days kayaking and canoeing on the scenic lake, and a boat ramp is provided for easy lake access.

    Fishing is also a popular activity. Largemouth bass, pickerel, perch and horned pout are all found in abundance.

    Several hiking trails link up around the lake as well, including the West Ridge Trail, which runs along the entire western edge of the lake and up through the surrounding wetlands.

    Younger visitors enjoy the parks Junior Ranger Program, which focuses on the surrounding forest, its wildlife and waterways and protecting the environment. Kids ages six through 12 become honorary park rangers upon completion and receive a patch and certificate.

    Facilities:

    This year-round park is open from sunrise to sunset. It offers two day-use picnic shelters, perfect for large parties or family functions. Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and grills are provided.

    A swim beach, playground, horseshoe pits and volleyball court offer additional recreation opportunities.

    Nearby Attractions:

    Educational programs are offered by park rangers, and the nearby ranger station contains interpretive exhibits.

    • Pets
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Barton Cove Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Barton Cove Campground

    9. Barton Cove Campground

    2 Reviews
    2 Photos
    69 Saves
    Greenfield, Massachusetts

    Barton Cove specializes in rustic tent-only camping. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Each campsite has a picnic table, grills and campfire ring. Vehicle use in the campground is restricted to unloading during arrival and loading during departure. Showers are available near the ranger station, and there are two group sites available for larger parties interested in camping together. Two sites suitable for pop-up trailers or class C camper vans are also available. The sites have no utility hookups. Scout groups can camp by special arrangement through November.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $22 - $30 / night

    • No image available
    Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

    Recent Tent Reviews in Holden

    538 Reviews of 17 Holden Campgrounds


    • R M.
      Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
      Nov. 1, 2024

      Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

      Hidden jewel in Andover Ma

      I use up my two weeks allotted here at Harold Parker every year. A great place to enjoy family in the outdoors .clean sites. clean bathrooms and friendly staff. I live in a neighboring town to Andover. It’s so easy to get to.

    • Missi N.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Northampton / Springfield KOA
      Oct. 11, 2024

      Northampton / Springfield KOA

      Cute little campground

      Quiet (besides occasional plane overhead) lots of trees, spacious sites, clean and modern bathrooms and showers, nice friendly helpful staff.

    • Lorrie W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Ashuelot River Campground
      Oct. 5, 2024

      Ashuelot River Campground

      Ashuelot campground

      Site 47 pull thru. Nice clean campground ! No neighbors left and right. Staff very nice. Very noisy tho in sites by the river due to Rte 10. We enjoyed the campground. Small and cozy. Nice size sites

    • f
      Camper-submitted photo from Sunset View Farms
      Sep. 21, 2024

      Sunset View Farms

      Lovely spot in the woods

      We booked last minute (2 hours before we arrived) and were met with the friendliest staff ready to help us at 7:30PM and get us checked in. Perfect spot if you don’t mind a 40 minute ride over to The Big E fair which is what brought us out to this part of MA. The restaurant was so nice, and to my surprise more than accommodating as I have celiac, they really went above and beyond. We will definitely be back next summer for a longer stay.

    • katherine B.
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Lake Campgrounds
      Sep. 17, 2024

      Forest Lake Campgrounds

      People who run it are rude and of their word

      Paid in full for a week in July, we stay here every year. Learned in May that I had cancer and would need surgery and weekly chemo until the end of September. Contacted Forest Lake Campground in May to cancel reservation, discussed options and was told we could carry our week over for later. Just received the all clear from my Dr today. Called to make reservations and was told they would not honor our already paid week. They said we would not get our money back either. Won’t stay here again as they are not people of their word.

    • Jacob D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
      Sep. 16, 2024

      Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

      Quiet but expensive for out of state

      Need to make reservations before 2pm!! This campground is nice and calm with a lot of space and bathrooms. There are water hookups at tent sites. Didn’t have any issues, just it is a little expensive for someone from out of state. We paid $54 because we are from Ohio

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
      Sep. 5, 2024

      Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

      Wonderful

      This is one of the best places we saw. We were here during a quiet period in August. The pitches are spacious and shaded.

      The sanitary building is clean with good showers.

      There is a lovely pond in which you can swim. It is somewhat small when crowded but nevertheless very lovely.

      The water in the pond is not streaming so be prepared for mosquitoes when camping close to the water.

      There is a well maintained playground for kids and there are activities planned for kids and adults.

      We would definitely return.

    • G
      Camper-submitted photo from Ponkapoag Camp
      Aug. 30, 2024

      Ponkapoag Camp

      Beautiful

      Had an amazing stay, cabin was perfect and comfortable. Water was nice and fish were biting. Can’t wait to come back.

    • Tracy W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Autumn Hills Campground
      Jul. 31, 2024

      Autumn Hills Campground

      Enjoyable and memorable experience

      Autumn Hills Campground is AWESOME! It’s remotely located and the amenities and activities are amazing, something for everyone! The staff is so friendly and helpful and I can’t say enough how clean the bathrooms, laundry room and store are! The super nice owners, Adam& Jennifer are constantly making upgrades and changes and have really created a beautiful, family oriented campground! I recommend you take the virtual tour online so you can pick a sight that works for you and book it soon.

    • L
      Camper-submitted photo from Peppertree Camping
      Jul. 23, 2024

      Peppertree Camping

      Amazing stay

      We had our very first camping experience with our new camper at this campground and it was everything we could have imagined and more. It’s a beautiful campground, the gentleman and his family who own it are sooooo nice and they helped us a lot when it came to learning how to properly use our camper. All the fellow campers that we met were extremely nice. It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning.

    • Laura D.
      Camper-submitted photo from Brialee Family Campground
      Jul. 10, 2024

      Brialee Family Campground

      Best Camping Experience

      This was our families first time staying at Brialee Campground.  The cabin was absolutely beautiful and clean.  The staff were friendly and helpful. The activities were great and kept my grand children busy.  Swimming and the lake were fun.  I cannot say enough wonderful things.  We had such a great time I booked my reservations for Next July 2025 before I left.

      A special thank you to Sherri for the personal tour and showing us the ropes!  She is the best.

      The D'Avanzo Family

    • aThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Normandy Farms Campground
      Jul. 8, 2024

      Normandy Farms Campground

      Very Enjoyable 1 night stay

      We enjoyed our tent site with a wooden lean-to. Overall very private and peaceful, however the only drawback is that people took frequent casual walks pass the area all day long. There's really no way around that.

      We did not get a chance to enjoy the amenities, but they all looked nice and well thought out.

      We will return.

    • aThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Canoe River Campground
      Jul. 8, 2024

      Canoe River Campground

      Good But Not Ideal for us

      The campground was very busy with families events activities, etc. If you prefer a noisy fun experience and a more social experience with your very close neighbors, this is the pot for you. Our preferred style of camping requires more space and less noise. The pool bathrooms were gross, but the other facilities area near the tent sites was very nice and clean.

      The food was great and the staff is friendly. Overall we had a great time, but its unlikely we’ll return mostly due to the noise level.

    • A
      Camper-submitted photo from Spacious Skies Seven Maples
      Jul. 7, 2024

      Spacious Skies Seven Maples

      Fiddleheads and Moose

      The seven maple trees that greeted guests may be gone, but not the spirit of the campground. Staff were helpful and cheerful along with the chain saw carved bears that greeted me. A very nice shady campground with clean bathhouses - one with a moose guarding the entry - and common areas.

    • M
      Camper-submitted photo from Charlie Brown Campground
      Jul. 1, 2024

      Charlie Brown Campground

      Riverside Delight!

      This was our first time visiting and my entire family enjoyed themselves so  much, that we've already reserved a site for a few weeks from now. Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids! The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly.  We did a late checkout for $5 extra, but the noon checkout and two dump stations would make leaving on time a non-issue as well. 

      Of note: We camped with friends, who were given a spot next to a large group of people (weekend prior to 4th of July is to be expected). The group were very polite and abided by quiet hours, but they were having fun and a bit loud for my buddy's 2 month of baby. They requested to move sites, and the management was super accommodating and apologetic. Helped him move his site and threw in some firewood for the troubles.

    • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from West Thompson Lake Campground
      Jun. 27, 2024

      West Thompson Lake Campground

      Pleasantly surprised

      We had an excellent experience at this camp ground. The Staff and Rangers were polite and welcoming. We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful. Had a great weekend

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Hanscom AFB FamCamp
      Jun. 19, 2024

      Hanscom AFB FamCamp

      Recreation camping close to Lexingtin and Concord

      The HanscomField Fam Camp is a wooded recreational camp for military families and retirees, as well as for RV camping for active duty military on temporary orders. The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB. Proximity to the base provides access to the base exchange and other facilities, but the quiet location is a recreational retreat centered around several indoor and outdoor gathering spaces such as basketball and outdoor sports, and an indoor game and recreation room complete with crafts supplies for the kiddos and tourism info for the lical area. In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond, so the campground makes a great basecamp for exploration of the area’s rich culture and history. You are also not too far from Cambridge, and can easily access Boston from there if you like.

      There are several clean modern bath houses, with hot showers and flush toilets. The office staff is very helpful and friendly!

      Dogs are welcome too.

    • A
      Camper-submitted photo from Spacious Skies Minute Man
      Jun. 3, 2024

      Spacious Skies Minute Man

      A little bit of heaven

      Spacious Skies Minute Man is a forested haven so close to Boston that you think you are in the country. There are so many cool things to do just a short drive away. The nearby town of Ayer is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord so spend a morning in this special city.

    • M
      Camper-submitted photo from Nickerson Park Family Campground
      May. 30, 2024

      Nickerson Park Family Campground

      Quiet and friendly all around.

      We visited for a our kids' spring break. Not many campgrounds open that early here in CT. The staff were super pleasant and helpful, and were all working hard the entire time we were there to prep that campground for their official "opening weekend". 

      The sites were all clean and seemed well spaced. The kids loved the playground, and they were putting a fresh coat of paint on things while we were there. The river that flows the length of the campground seemed clean and awesome. Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again. 

      Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away. Pizza places/breakfast spots in the same area as well. Lots of state land to explore nearby.

    • Rae-Ann W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Ashuelot River Campground
      May. 25, 2024

      Ashuelot River Campground

      Nice quiet weekend

      We took our new to us hybrid camper out for its inaugural trip.

      We chose to stay in the wooded loop of the campground and we were very happy with our site, #66. That section has about 12 sites, some big and some on the smaller side. Our site was easy to back into, even more so since no one was in the site across from us. Our site was very spacious, level and included a picnic table, fire ring, and nicely placed hookups for water and electric. We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river.

      Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful. There are quiet hours from 10pm-8am that are enforced. We were grateful to not have to hear loud partying going on into the night. There was car noise from nearby Rt 10 on the other side of the river, but nothing you can do about that.

      We asked for assistance at the office with our first time using a pumping station at the end of the trip. We were given friendly helpful assistance and some great tips and advice for the future.

      This was a nice enjoyable first visit for us. We will definitely be adding it to our list of places to visit again, but likely later in the year when we can enjoy the river and activities a bit more. We did not explore the options for bike, kayak, and canoe rentals but would like to in the future.

    • Ryan A.
      Camper-submitted photo from George Washington State Campground
      May. 15, 2024

      George Washington State Campground

      An OK Campground but not Great

      Camped out here for two nights after reading about this place in the"Best Tent Camping: New England" book. It's better than the other campgrounds in Rhode Island that I looked at (Burlingame, Fort Getty) but isn't my favorite campground. 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. 

      It does have some great things going for it, namely the hiking trails and views of the lake. There are some tent-only sites which are numbered T1-T5. I stayed in T5 and it was the best of the bunch because it had the most privacy and space, including a grassy area. The other tent-only sites were fairly small and if you go to any mixed use sites you run the risk of having an RV next to you. The A1-A7 sites are remote and hike in, but you're going to have to hike either 0.4 or 0.6 miles through some uneven terrain. The next best group of sites would be 19-24 which are on their own small loop near the lake. 

      The things I didn't like were the streetlights over the port-a-potties that shine all night. There is a manned gate where you check in and you have to get let into the campground during the day, but at night the gates are wide open and it seems like some people know this because there are a few oddballs around in the early morning. There is swimming at the lake but it looked way too dirty. 

      Overall the place was managed very well, the sites were cleanish and the grounds were taken care of. The employees drove by at least once an hour, I thought they were collecting trash from dumpsters but the only place with a dumpster is near the entrance. I couldn't figure out why they kept driving by so often. I had a good time, it was relaxing and scratched the camping itch.

    • Irish M.
      Camper-submitted photo from Friendly Beaver Campground
      Apr. 12, 2024

      Friendly Beaver Campground

      Not Recommendable

      Unfortunately, this place is poorly run. The staff appears friendly at first, but if you need any help with anything, they run the other way. I agree with the previous review of the campground being underfunded. I suspect it is intentional so the greedy owner can put more money in his pocket because they charge and overcharge for everything. There are a lot of full-time, year-round rowdies that live and drink excessively here. If you want your kids exposed to that, then go for it. The outdoor pool is way too small for the number of seasonal and short-term guests. If it happens to rain while you're there, then prepare for roads to be 3 inches of mud. There is no gravel or sand on them. Sites are very close together, so there is no privacy. I do not recommend staying here. NH offers many very nice and well maintained rustic and resort style campgrounds. The only positive is decent showers.



    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Holden, MA?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Holden, MA is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.

    • What is the best site to find tent camping near Holden, MA?

      TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Holden, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.