Best Tent Camping near Leyden, MA
Tent campsites near Leyden, Massachusetts include established, walk-in options at several locations within 20 miles of town. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offers tent-only sites with walk-in access and central facilities, while Barton Cove Campground in Gill provides tent platforms near the Connecticut River. Federated Womens Club State Forest in Petersham maintains primitive tent sites that require walk-in access and advance registration through Erving State Forest.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require campers to park in designated lots and transport gear to their sites. Tully Lake provides wooden wheelbarrows for hauling equipment from the parking area to tent sites, which can be up to a mile away. According to a review on The Dyrt, "You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site." Basic amenities typically include a fire ring and picnic table. Several campgrounds restrict alcohol consumption, and many enforce quiet hours. The camping season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some sites requiring reservations well in advance.
In early fall, tent campers find reduced crowds and more peaceful experiences at many sites. Tully Lake's tent sites offer varying degrees of privacy, with some providing direct lake access for swimming and paddling. A camper noted that "Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites." Barton Cove tent sites feature platform camping and are fenced in due to the steep terrain leading to the water. Zoar Outdoor provides tent camping with access to the Deerfield River for paddling, though fires are not permitted at campsites. Tent campers should download maps before arrival as cell service is spotty or nonexistent throughout much of the region, especially at Federated Womens Club State Forest and other more remote locations.
