Tent camping near Manchaug, Massachusetts provides access to woodland and lakefront sites throughout central Massachusetts and nearby Rhode Island. The region sits within the Blackstone River watershed at approximately 500-700 feet elevation, with moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Most tent-specific campgrounds in this area require campers to carry gear varying distances from parking areas, creating more secluded experiences than traditional drive-up sites.
What to do
Paddle on Tully Lake: The extensive waterways at Tully Lake Recreation Area offer excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities. "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 overlooks: Trails near tent campsites lead to elevated viewpoints. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, continuing past site 15 through Gate 36 leads to Soapstone Hill with views of Quabbin Reservoir. One reviewer mentions, "This website provides some general information about hikes and exploration in the area that surrounds the Quabbin Reservoir. You'll find cellar holes throughout, remnants of the towns lost in the 30s to create the reservoir."
Island exploration: For a unique tent camping experience, Boston Harbor Islands offers multiple tent sites across different islands. "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house. We ended up making a fire pit on the beach and a flat rock 'grill' to make our burgers," shares Jess G. about Lovells Island.
What campers like
Cart-based camping system: Many campers appreciate the vehicle-free environment at Tully Lake Recreation Area. "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," notes Megan G. Tully Lake provides wooden carts to transport gear from the parking area to sites.
Rustic group camping options: Larger tent groups can find accommodations at Buck Hill Campground, which features camping clusters rather than individual sites. "All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). Many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc," shares Greg R.
Site privacy variations: Tent sites offer different privacy levels based on location and terrain. "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," reports a camper at Tully Lake. Site selection can significantly impact your camping experience in the Manchaug area.
What you should know
Water access considerations: While most tent campgrounds advertise water access, swimming areas vary significantly. At Buck Hill, one camper notes, "There's a small somewhat sandy area that perhaps used to be a beach of sorts, though no lifeguards or anything. The water is clean and fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry into the water."
Limited or non-existent cell service: Most tent camping areas around Manchaug have poor connectivity. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here." Similar conditions exist at other campgrounds in the region.
Advance booking requirements: Many tent sites in the region fill quickly. For Boston Harbor Islands State Park, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings," advises Martha H.
Transportation logistics: Some campgrounds require multi-step transportation. For Boston Harbor Islands tent camping, "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. We then took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites based on bathroom proximity: When tent camping with children, bathroom location becomes important. One Tully Lake camper noted, "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."
Consider urban-adjacent options: Camp Nihan Education Center offers tent camping surprisingly close to Boston. "We went camping here with our SpiralScout Circle, kids aged 4-8. 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.
Pack minimally for walk-in sites: For tent sites requiring gear transport, bring only essentials. "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 stretches)," advises Kris M. about Tully Lake camping.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options near Manchaug: Most campgrounds in this guide primarily accommodate tent camping with few RV-friendly sites. The tent-focused campgrounds intentionally limit vehicle access to create a more natural experience.
Consider Water's Edge as an alternative: For those with small campers seeking a combination of tent camping atmosphere with some hookups, Water's Edge Campground in Coventry, RI (formerly Colwell's) offers electric and water hookups while maintaining a tent camping feel.
