Near the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts, New Braintree sits within a landscape of forested hills and rural farmland. The area contains multiple recreation sites with camping options across Worcester County. Camping season generally runs April through mid-October, with most facilities closing during winter months due to freezing temperatures and limited demand.
What to do
Fishing access: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort in Oakham offers catch-and-release fishing on their lake with designated dog beach areas nearby. "Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you'll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground...hiking trails and even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water," notes one visitor.
Arcade and game facilities: Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resort provides indoor recreation options during inclement weather. "The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!" reports a camper, with multiple visitors noting the potential for family entertainment despite mixed reviews about facility condition.
Historic site visits: Thousand Trails Sturbridge provides camping near Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum 30 minutes from camp. "Close to Old Sturbridge Village and many cool hikes and MA cities," writes a visitor who appreciated the cultural attractions despite noting "not my favorite place" regarding the campground itself.
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort receives consistent praise for its wooded setting and outdoor opportunities. "Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim," writes one reviewer who regularly visits the facility.
Pool facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming pools as central attractions. "Great pool and very clean beach. Highly recommend this campground," notes a visitor to Pine Acres, while another adds it has "beautiful and fun" aquatic areas including "pool and splash pad along with sandy beach."
Weekend entertainment: Spacious Skies Minute Man offers planned activities throughout the camping season. "Heated pool was great!" writes one visitor, while another notes "ping pong table! Also have arcade, volleyball, and pet walk area," highlighting the diverse recreation options at this location.
What you should know
Electrical concerns: Several campgrounds have reported infrastructure challenges. At Douglas Forest RV Resort, reviews note significant electrical problems: "The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips."
Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly between facilities, affecting comfort and accessibility. "Site seems level for the most part, made of gravel," reports a Spacious Skies Minute Man visitor, while others note some parks feature primarily dirt surfaces with limited grass.
Reservation requirements: Most facilities require advance booking, particularly for weekend stays during summer and fall foliage season. "Stayed for one week. If you stay for 6 days, the 7th is free," notes a visitor to Spacious Skies Minute Man, indicating potential discounts for longer stays.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Pine Acres consistently ranks highest for family-oriented camping. "Clean and updated. Beautiful and fun. Live music and food trucks were available," writes a camper who enjoyed the organized events with children.
Pool considerations: Woodmore Family Campground provides water recreation options though rule enforcement varies. "It's great, although I was leery because of the rules they are not strict at all, you have to follow the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience," notes one visitor about their family stay.
Noise levels: Campgrounds differ significantly in ambient sound levels. Some reviewers report "quiet time is quiet time" at Pine Acres, while others note weekend crowds can create considerable noise at facilities closer to major highways.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RV parks near New Braintree, Massachusetts vary in pad construction and levelness. "Sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines," notes a visitor to Camp Coldbrook, though reviews about electrical reliability at this location remain mixed.
Hookup reliability: The most consistently positive RV campground reviews focus on infrastructure dependability. "Good level site water and electric (full hook ups also available) electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord," advises a camper at Spacious Skies Minute Man, providing practical information about layout challenges.
Seasonal considerations: Many rv parks around New Braintree maintain winter restrictions. "Water is turned off October 15-April 15. Water available from rest room spigot. You will need at least 25' hose," advises a visitor to Westover ARB Military FamCamp, which operates year-round with modified winter services.
