Tent camping options near Holden, Massachusetts range from secluded forest sites to waterfront locations along lakes and reservoirs. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 500-1000 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during daytime hours. Several locations don't permit cars directly at campsites, creating quieter environments and preserving the natural setting.
What to do
Paddle on Tully Lake: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to explore the 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.
Hike to scenic waterfalls: Several trails near Tully Lake lead to Doane's Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls accessible via a short 10-minute walk from the campground. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," a visitor mentions.
Island exploration: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers unique exploration opportunities via inter-island ferries. "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," shares Martha H. Campers can access multiple islands with their ferry pass.
Berry picking: In mid-summer, wild blackberries grow abundantly throughout wooded areas near campgrounds. At Tully Lake and Peddocks Island, visitors collect ripe berries along hiking trails during July and August.
What campers like
Waterfront camping access: Many campsites at Tully Lake Recreation Area offer direct water access. "Sites at Tully Lake provide waterfront access for swimming and paddling, with some campsites offering direct entry into the lake," a camper notes. "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," shares Megan G.
Vehicle-free camping environments: The absence of cars creates a quieter atmosphere at several campgrounds. At Tully Lake, "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," according to a visitor.
Historic exploration: Barton Cove Campground and other area sites feature remnants of local history. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets," writes a Boston Harbor Islands visitor.
Solitude opportunities: Campgrounds like Federated Womens Club State Forest offer remote, rustic experiences with minimal crowds. "It's a long curvy road that ends with a small parking lot at a T junction," notes Jean C., adding that "cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon."
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "They 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," advises Kris M. about Federated Womens Club State Forest.
Bathroom accessibility varies: The distance from campsites to restroom facilities can be significant. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," notes Lauren A. about Tully Lake, while another camper mentions "From some of the sites, this will be a long walk during the night."
Water availability challenges: Many primitive sites require bringing your own drinking water. "If you want to grill, bring your own charcoal; otherwise bring a stove or bring food that doesn't need to be cooked. You may scavenge wood to build fires below the high tide line only," advises a Boston Harbor Islands camper.
Transportation logistics: Several campgrounds require specialized transportation planning. At Boston Harbor Islands, "Getting to the island was a bit of a hassle. We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium."
Tips for camping with families
Consider site distance from facilities: When camping with young children, select sites closer to restrooms. "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 and neighboring campers," notes a Tully Lake visitor.
Look for ranger programs: Several campgrounds offer family-oriented educational activities. "There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only," shares a camper about Camp Nihan Education Center.
Prepare for gear transportation: Many sites require carrying equipment from parking areas. "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," explains Miguel B. about Tully Lake. "The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea."
Pack swimming gear: Several locations offer swimming opportunities for children. "Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes," notes a Camp Nihan visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options near Holden: Most campgrounds in the immediate vicinity don't accommodate RVs or provide hookups. Tent camping predominates at popular sites like Tully Lake and Federated Womens Club State Forest.
Consider tent platforms as alternatives: At Buck Hill Campground, tent platforms provide stable ground for larger tents. "I'm pretty sure this is a scouting campground (Cub Scout). All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents)," reports Greg R.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant seasonal variation. "Some of the sites are located on a small rise; I suspect that was appreciated the night 4" of rain fell recently!" notes a Tully Lake camper about site elevation during heavy rainfall.
