1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping options are concentrated on the outskirts of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, with Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offering the most developed tent campsites within reasonable driving distance. Located approximately 20 miles northwest of Lunenburg, this Army Corps of Engineers property managed by the Trustees of Reservations features walk-in tent sites that provide a more rustic camping experience. Additional tent-friendly campgrounds include Barton Cove Campground near Gill and Federated Womens Club State Forest in Petersham, both providing primitive tent camping with varying levels of amenities.
Most tent campsites in the area require campers to park in designated lots and transport gear to their sites using provided carts or personal carrying equipment. At Tully Lake, campers must use wheeled carts to transport gear distances ranging from 50 yards to nearly a mile. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. A review mentioned that "there is one central restroom with showers and a place to wash dishes" at Tully Lake, though many of the more remote tent sites are a considerable distance from these facilities. Potable water is available at select locations, but tent campers should plan to bring or filter their own water supplies at more primitive sites.
Tent camping experiences near Lunenburg offer varying levels of privacy and natural settings. The walk-in nature of many sites provides a quieter atmosphere free from vehicle noise and traffic. According to one visitor at Tully Lake, "sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping." Many tent sites feature waterfront locations that provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling directly from camp. Summer weekends tend to be busiest, particularly at Tully Lake, where holiday weekends can become crowded. Fall camping provides cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it ideal for tent campers seeking solitude. Waterfront tent sites often fill quickly when reservations open, especially for summer dates, requiring advance planning for the most desirable locations.
"Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them."
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
from $40 / night
Available this weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
"Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."
"This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $55 / night
"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."
from $35 - $140 / night
"The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite"
from $22 - $30 / night
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
LegendI’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
TravelerGorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
ScoutShowers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
GuideHard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.
- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
TravelerLove this place. We were the only ones there during a weekday visit in October. It’s incredibly peaceful with wooded sites and the lake is just gorgeous with the fall foliage. Bonus that they deliver firewood to the campsite. My only wish and I wouldn’t knock a star off because we were literally the only ones there is I wish they didn’t lock the showers. I would have loved to have a shower but the office was closed and I wasn’t able to find anyone to unlock a shower. Just be prepared and bring your dude wipes 🤣 Other than that amazing place.
GuideI can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!
GuideBest part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.
Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.
A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.
If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.
Tent camping near Lunenburg, Massachusetts offers rustic outdoor experiences typically away from developed urban areas. Campsites in this region of north-central Massachusetts sit at elevations ranging from 400-1000 feet, creating varied terrain for hiking and exploration. Fall temperatures drop into the 30s-40s°F at night, requiring proper cold weather gear for camping beyond summer months.
Paddling adventures: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lake. "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," reports one visitor.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds connect to trail networks. "From the main entrance, collect a cart, load your gear, and following the appropriate divergent path from the parking lot or bath house (they are color coded)," notes a camper about the pathways at Tully Lake. Near the dam, hikers can access a 4-mile loop trail around the lake with Doane's Falls as the highlight.
Swimming options: Without designated swimming areas at many campgrounds, waterfront tent sites become valuable. At Barton Cove Campground, "You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water) and sites are fenced in due to how steep it is to the water which was a downside but views between the trees are nice."
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the separation between campsites. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, sites are walk-in with "a narrow trail leading from the road." This arrangement creates natural buffers between camping parties.
Cart systems: While initially seeming inconvenient, the cart systems at walk-in campgrounds receive positive feedback. "More rustic and you can't drive your vehicle to the site. They have carts to haul your stuff. Everything is clean and well maintained, and the staff was helpful and friendly," notes a Tully Lake camper.
Family-friendly activities: One visitor at Camp Nihan Education Center notes it provides "the perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping" with "terrain rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods" while maintaining convenient amenities.
Advance planning required: Reservations for popular campgrounds fill quickly. "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," advises a Tully Lake visitor.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal connectivity. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Site selection matters: Each campground offers varying site configurations. "The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite," reports a Barton Cove camper.
Choose accessible sites: With young children, consider campsite location carefully. At Tully Lake, one family noted their "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."
Site security: Families appreciate campgrounds where vehicle traffic is restricted. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "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."
Shallow swimming areas: When camping with children, look for safe water access. Some campgrounds connect to swimming areas with lifeguards, such as at Camp Nihan Education Center which is "adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."
Site logistics: While tent camping dominates in this region, campers with small trailers should note access limitations. Most tent sites require parking in designated lots and using carts to transport gear. At Tully Lake, sites range from 50 yards to nearly a mile from parking areas.
Facilities access: When considering a campground, assess bathroom proximity. At Tully Lake, "the bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lunenburg, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lunenburg, MA is Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lunenburg, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Lunenburg, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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