Tent camping near Millbury, Massachusetts offers secluded woodland experiences within an hour's drive of the town. Sites range from primitive backcountry spots to more established campgrounds with basic facilities. The camping season typically runs May through October, with July and August experiencing higher humidity and temperatures averaging 80-85°F during daytime.
What to do
Paddle the waterways: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the lake's islands and shoreline. "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," shares Ben P.
Hike to waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer access to cascades and falls within walking distance. "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," notes a Tully Lake visitor.
Disc golf near dam areas: Some recreation areas maintain disc golf courses that see regular use during summer months. "Near the dam is a larger boat launch with parking. I was there in July and wildflowers were blooming. A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," explains Jean C.
Explore historic ruins: The Boston Harbor Islands State Park features abandoned military structures to discover. "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house," writes Jess G. who camped at Lovells Island.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the spacing and natural barriers at campgrounds. "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," notes Megan G. about her Tully Lake experience.
No-vehicle policies: Tent sites without direct car access create a more peaceful experience. "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," explains a visitor to Barton Cove Campground.
Swimming access: Waterfront sites allow for direct water entry at several campgrounds. "The water is clean and fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry into the water (including the 'beach')," explains Greg R. about Buck Hill Campground.
Rustic camping with basic amenities: Most sites balance wilderness with essential facilities. "The sites here are great, if you aren't bringing too much with you. There is no parking at each site, but a parking lot, then you can use a cart to truck your things in, anywhere from a few yards to about a mile," shares Kris M. about island sites.
What you should know
Reservation timelines: Popular sites book up months in advance, especially waterfront locations. "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 Kris M.
Cart-based gear transport: Many campgrounds require hauling equipment from parking areas. "This is a 'Carry In' campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site," explains a reviewer at Tully Lake.
Limited cell coverage: Expect spotty or non-existent service at most campgrounds. "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out," warns Jean C. about Federated Womens Club State Forest.
Water availability varies: Some sites require bringing all drinking water. "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," notes a Federated Womens Club State Forest visitor about their facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites close to facilities: With young children, bathroom proximity matters. "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," shares Lauren A. about their Memorial Day experience.
Consider group sites: Camp Nihan Education Center offers family-friendly group camping options. "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.
Check for lifeguarded swimming: Some recreation areas offer supervised swimming areas. "The camp is also 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," notes a Camp Nihan visitor.
Pack light for walk-in sites: Minimize gear when using walk-in tent sites. "Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea," advises Miguel B., noting that "though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough."
Tips from RVers
Consider alternative accommodations: For those seeking RV amenities without towing, some areas offer cabins or yurts. "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," explains Martha H. about Peddocks Island.
Limited hookup options: Most campgrounds near Millbury focus primarily on tent camping with few RV amenities. "Rustic camping only- sites have tent platforms, grill, fire pit and picnic tables," notes Brie B. about Barton Cove's facilities.
Gate access considerations: Some campgrounds have complex entry procedures. "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite- you check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key," explains a Barton Cove visitor.
