Top Tent Camping near New Salem, MA
Looking for the best tent campgrounds near New Salem? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near New Salem. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near New Salem, MA (20)
1. Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
Royalston, Massachusetts9 Reviews•90 Photos•2 SavesOverview
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to come relax at Tully Lake. There are a variety of outdoor recreation activities for you and you family. Although the dam was built primarily to reduce flood damages on the Millers and Connecticut Rivers, the 1,300-acre reservoir area provides a place for you to get away from it all and connect with nature.
Recreation
Tully Lake offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Activities in and around the lake include mountain biking, camping, disc golf, hiking, picnicking, boating, and fishing and hunting in the appropriate seasons.
Facilities
The Tully Lake Pavilion is located in the recreation area and offers picnic tables and grills. Maximum group size is 50 people with parking for 25 passenger vehicles at the upper gravel lot. The recreation area has a small playground for young children, volleyball court, and a horseshoe pit. Bathrooms are provided, but there is no running water.
Natural Features
The 1,262-acre Tully Lake property is managed to sustain a healthy ecosystem for future generations. The thriving biodiversity of the Tully River Valley and the interconnections of our forests, wetlands, waters, and wildlife are valued and managed for the long term. Tully Lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from tiny insects and song birds, to large mammals such as deer and moose. Fifty-five percent of the reservoir area is wetlands, providing habitat for fish, waterfowl, song birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals such as beaver, mink and otter. The rest of the property provides habitat for upland species such as deer, coyote, fisher, owl, fox, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, rabbit, and squirrel. The forest within Tully Dam's reservoir area is composed primarily of white pine, providing habitat for owls and woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, and white-tailed deer.
Nearby Attractions
When visiting Tully Lake there are several opportunities for visitors to explore in the surrounding area. At the north end of the lake there is a tent only campground run by the Trustees of the Reservations which provides a perfect launching point to enjoy the outdoor attractions nearby. Ten miles away is the Birch Hill Dam, another Army Corps project that provides miles of trails and river to explore. The Quabbin Reservoir is also within a short ten mile drive of Tully Lake and serves the city of Boston as its water supply. The Quabbin is a unique area; there were four towns flooded to create it, and it has some of the most interesting blends of human and natural history in the region.
Charges & Cancellations
Please review the cancellation and refund policy at the bottom of the webpage. In general, we will require at least two weeks prior to your reservation to consider a request.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
$40 / night
2. Greenfield State Park Campground
Bennington, New Hampshire19 Reviews•41 Photos•96 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
3. Barton Cove Campground
Greenfield, Massachusetts2 Reviews•2 Photos•68 SavesBarton Cove specializes in rustic tent-only camping. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Each campsite has a picnic table, grills and campfire ring. Vehicle use in the campground is restricted to unloading during arrival and loading during departure. Showers are available near the ranger station, and there are two group sites available for larger parties interested in camping together. Two sites suitable for pop-up trailers or class C camper vans are also available. The sites have no utility hookups. Scout groups can camp by special arrangement through November.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$22 - $30 / night
4. Federated Womens Club State Forest
Petersham, Massachusetts1 Review•22 Photos•25 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
5. Maple Ridge Farm
Vernon, Vermont1 Review•9 Photos•8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$25 - $30 / night
6. Zoar Outdoor
Charlemont, Massachusetts3 Reviews•4 Photos•13 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Cabins
7. Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities
Edward MacDowell Lake, New Hampshire1 Review•1 Photo•3 SavesOverview
Edward MacDowell Lake is situated in a quiet corner of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.
This day-use area lies just off State Route 101 on the shores of the picturesque lake named after the famous composer and concert pianist, Edward Alexander MacDowell.
Natural Features:
The 165-acre lake is surrounded by densely forested rolling hills. Shady pine, birch, poplar, maple, oak, beech, hemlock and alder trees cover the area.
Wildlife is abundant in and around the park. White-tailed deer, moose, beaver, fisher, muskrat, otter and many other mammals make their homes around the lake. Birders may observe many species including osprey, hawks, owls, great blue herons, woodpeckers, waterfowl and songbirds.
Recreation:
Visitors can spend days kayaking and canoeing on the scenic lake, and a boat ramp is provided for easy lake access.
Fishing is also a popular activity. Largemouth bass, pickerel, perch and horned pout are all found in abundance.
Several hiking trails link up around the lake as well, including the West Ridge Trail, which runs along the entire western edge of the lake and up through the surrounding wetlands.
Younger visitors enjoy the parks Junior Ranger Program, which focuses on the surrounding forest, its wildlife and waterways and protecting the environment. Kids ages six through 12 become honorary park rangers upon completion and receive a patch and certificate.
Facilities:
This year-round park is open from sunrise to sunset. It offers two day-use picnic shelters, perfect for large parties or family functions. Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and grills are provided.
A swim beach, playground, horseshoe pits and volleyball court offer additional recreation opportunities.
Nearby Attractions:
Educational programs are offered by park rangers, and the nearby ranger station contains interpretive exhibits.
- Pets
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
8. Lovers Lyn
Be the first to review!New Salem, Massachusetts•2 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Cabins
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
9. Chester Railway Station
Chester, Massachusetts1 Review•2 Photos•14 SavesCaboose Camper Rental! Camp in an authentic 1919 railroad caboose! Drive right to the site. Electricity available. Outdoor cooking/eating facilities. Camp beside the busy CSX Boston Line. Need more room? Set up tents on the lawn.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
$50 - $100 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In New Salem
549 Reviews of 20 New Salem Campgrounds
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Wonderful spot
I just got here. Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area.
Somerset Vt Dispersed on the Deerfield River
No camping signs all along road
No camping signs. Private property
Sunset View Farms
Lovely spot in the woods
We booked last minute (2 hours before we arrived) and were met with the friendliest staff ready to help us at 7:30PM and get us checked in. Perfect spot if you don’t mind a 40 minute ride over to The Big E fair which is what brought us out to this part of MA. The restaurant was so nice, and to my surprise more than accommodating as I have celiac, they really went above and beyond. We will definitely be back next summer for a longer stay.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Campground — D.A.R. State Forest
Ridiculous out of state markup
I don’t mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane.
Forest Lake Campgrounds
People who run it are rude and of their word
Paid in full for a week in July, we stay here every year. Learned in May that I had cancer and would need surgery and weekly chemo until the end of September. Contacted Forest Lake Campground in May to cancel reservation, discussed options and was told we could carry our week over for later. Just received the all clear from my Dr today. Called to make reservations and was told they would not honor our already paid week. They said we would not get our money back either. Won’t stay here again as they are not people of their word.
Fernwood Forest Campground
Great and Friendly
This campground has a lot of amenities for what you pay. You can get a site with just water, or electric and water. Can do RV or tent. Warm showers and playground for kids with communal areas. Quiet and dark both nights and the staff is very friendly, the campground is in the family. Will definitely stay here again!
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Easy and Desolate
Great spot for quiet desolate camping. Several spots to choose from.
Somerset Airfield
Good stopover location
Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.
Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.
There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.
Otter River State Forest
Perfect escape
Very peaceful! Little hidden gem! We loved our weekend away
Woodford State Park Campground
3 night getaway
Had a pleasant stay at Woodford State Park. Sites near T38 have a great elevated view of the reservoir. Also a nice loop trail for those looking to do a little bit of hiking.
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Large sites
Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain.
Granville State Forest
Gotta chance
Dyrt says $17-$54 went through all the hoops to book one for tonight said $17 per night went to check out expecting a few extra fees, $58.50.....that's over the max advertised....DYRT YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH AND DELETE BAD ENTRIES. YOU ARE A DISSAPOINTMENT.
October Mountain State Forest
WHAT!?
First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed, second it yells you that the fee is $17.50 per site, I expected a little added extra fee for booking etc.... check out was $58.50 per night. I would have if they weren't so manipulative about it.
Peppertree Camping
Amazing stay
We had our very first camping experience with our new camper at this campground and it was everything we could have imagined and more. It’s a beautiful campground, the gentleman and his family who own it are sooooo nice and they helped us a lot when it came to learning how to properly use our camper. All the fellow campers that we met were extremely nice. It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning.
Jamaica State Park Campground
Large level campsites
This campground was perfect for our group that had 5 small children. The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads, sites were large and well spaced out from each other, great playground and fun playing in the river. Amazing programming options from the ranger staff each day
Mohawk Trail State Forest
Great little camp
We got a sit right on the river, so that adds to this. But this place is great, a river, hiking trails, no phone signal, what else could yoy ask for? Oh yeah clean bathrooms, and guess what, they have those too!
But honestly this place is great, the staff is the most friendly DCR staff I've met, the buildings are well kept, the sites a large! I'd gladly go back, and I am!
Charlie Brown Campground
Riverside Delight!
This was our first time visiting and my entire family enjoyed themselves so much, that we've already reserved a site for a few weeks from now. Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids! The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly. We did a late checkout for $5 extra, but the noon checkout and two dump stations would make leaving on time a non-issue as well.
Of note: We camped with friends, who were given a spot next to a large group of people (weekend prior to 4th of July is to be expected). The group were very polite and abided by quiet hours, but they were having fun and a bit loud for my buddy's 2 month of baby. They requested to move sites, and the management was super accommodating and apologetic. Helped him move his site and threw in some firewood for the troubles.
West Thompson Lake Campground
Pleasantly surprised
We had an excellent experience at this camp ground. The Staff and Rangers were polite and welcoming. We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful. Had a great weekend
Peppermint Park Camping Resort
Relaxing & family friendly
We had a nice weekend at Peppermint Park. This was our 2nd visit with a camper (2022 & 2024) and stayed about 20 years ago in tents.
It's family and dog friendly, has a pool, hot tub, newer playground with a sandbox, camp store with large lodge attached, horseshoe, volleyball and other outdoor game areas. There were several activities planned for father's day weekend including a BBQ food truck, BINGO, corn hole, horseshoes, and kids crafts. There is also wifi, but the signal is not great. It did save me on data usage though so I appreciated it.
There is a large number of seasonal's and everyone we interacted with was very friendly. My 11 year old granddaughter quickly made friends with some of the seasonal children. We attended BINGO, which was packed, and it was clear they are a friendly group. The grounds, pool, buildings and bathroom are all well maintained.
Our site, 111, was a nice flat grassy site with water and 20amp electric. We were sunny in the morning and got nice shade starting late in the morning. We had season sites all around us with only a few of them occupied so it was pretty quiet in our section. Sites are a bit closer together than we prefer, but do have trees and brush in between.
We were in between 2 bathroom buildings. One of them having only 1 shower, 1 toilet and sink in each side and the other had 1 shower, and 2 toilets on each side. I believe there is larger bathrooms with more showers in the lodge but we did not check them out.
Our only negative is the wood for sale is on the greener side so it takes a bit to get it going. We had the same issue 2 years ago and ended up buying lighter fluid from the store then. We did not have any with us this trip and did not want to pay camp store prices so we used sticks from the area and some match light charcoal to get it going well.
We did not venture outside of the campground this trip, but do know there are some nice ponds/lakes close by and hiking trails.
Overall it's a nice friendly campground that we will continue to visit.
West Thompson Lake Campground
Great campground
Came for the boat races, very relaxing weekend
Molly Stark State Park Campground
Very nice clean and quiet campground
I loved my stay here! I just stayed 1 night passing through, the drive to the campground was gorgeous. checking in was super easy. Finding my site and the bathroom was a breeze. THE BATHROOM was the best I’ve seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous. Everyone else there was super nice and quiet. Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing. I would definitely stay again!
Clarksburg State Park Campground
Hidden gem
I've stayed at Clarksburg State Park with my young son for a few years in a row and have always been consistently impressed with how clean and peaceful it is. Maybe we've just gotten lucky, but each time we've stayed, no matter how busy the campground is, it's quiet, especially at night. The park and the campground feel quite secluded for the location - very close to North Adams and other towns in that part of the Berkshires. The pond and the hiking trail around it are beautiful. We'll definitely return! My only complaint is that Massachusetts charges out-of-state residents 3x as much to camp.
NF 83 - riverside
Enchanting
Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit! The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side. The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks we have substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two! Live by the motto leave nicer than you found it so we all can continue to enjoy the beauty!
Mohawk Trail State Forest
Great Campground in Western Mass
This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk.
The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided.
The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
Not the same as it used to be
This used to be my favorite campground! Short hike in, well for water, composting toilets, secluded campsites where you can't see or hear other people, lot's of hiking, cheap and easy. However, they've been closed for four years and have no idea when it will open again - not anytime in 2024. Worse, they're doing construction so that it will no longer be a primitive campsite! Adding bathrooms with running water, buildings, etc. I have called and emailed and hoped every spring that this would be the year, but with the renovations I am no longer interested in camping here. Very disappointed.
Nickerson Park Family Campground
Quiet and friendly all around.
We visited for a our kids' spring break. Not many campgrounds open that early here in CT. The staff were super pleasant and helpful, and were all working hard the entire time we were there to prep that campground for their official "opening weekend".
The sites were all clean and seemed well spaced. The kids loved the playground, and they were putting a fresh coat of paint on things while we were there. The river that flows the length of the campground seemed clean and awesome. Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again.
Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away. Pizza places/breakfast spots in the same area as well. Lots of state land to explore nearby.
Woodford State Park Campground
beautiful campground
This is a very nice campground.
We stayed in site 64 which is set back more than 2 car lengths from the road and is pretty well surrounded with trees so it feels very private and secluded. Could see one neighboring site slightly through the trees but that neighboring site was lower down so it still felt private. It was a good sized site. Not sure if we could hear any noise from route 9 or not. If we did, it was very faint and did not disturb us.
Site 64 is across the road from a water spigot and the path to the bathrooms/showers. It was very convenient and we didn't feel like we were right by the bathrooms (no compromise to our site's privacy, no noise, etc). Our site wasn't waterfront but wasn't far from path down to reservoir.
The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! the nicest I've seen yet. Very clean, well stocked with toilet paper and soap- convenient shelf and hooks for toiletries/towels.
The showers are beautiful as well. There are 3 individual shower rooms that lock. Each one has a bench/chair and hooks to hang towels etc. There is also a small shelf in the actual shower for soap.
NEW for 2024: the showers do not accept quarters anymore. You need to buy tokens from the campground. It is 1 token for 5 minutes and it is 50 cents a token. The issue we encountered was that apparently people still try to put in quarters and this jams the machine. Therefore, when we put in our tokens, though we thought everything worked fine, in fact the machine did not register the tokens and we were left taking ice cold showers. When we told the office in the morning, they explained the issue and said that had we called them they could have fixed the shower. They are going to try to put some guard over the slot to prevent quarters from going in. Hopefully, this is implemented soon. They were very apologetic and gave us new tokens to replace the ones we had lost on cold showers.
The office sells wood for $6 a bundle and you can get free kindling from their leftover cuttings/sweepings. They also sell ice and some "merch"/"swag".
We really enjoyed our stay here.
Guide to New Salem
Camping near New Salem, Massachusetts, offers a mix of beautiful nature and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: There are great trails nearby, especially at October Mountain State Forest. One camper mentioned, "The trails were completely perfectly maintained with some 2x6 boards over the muddy bits so our boots didn't get wet."
- Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, October Mountain State Forest is close to the Housatonic River, which is perfect for catch-and-release fishing. A reviewer noted, "This campground was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside."
- Exploring Local History: The area is rich in history, with nearby towns offering historical sites and charming shops. One visitor said, "Concord is only a 30-minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites."
What campers like:
- Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Spacious Skies Minute Man. A reviewer shared, "The sites were ample size and space for our rig and needs."
- Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the welcoming atmosphere. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, one guest said, "Pat and Gordon are incredibly welcoming hosts."
- Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and well-maintained grounds are a big plus. A camper at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! the nicest I've seen yet."
What you should know:
- No Same-Day Reservations: Many campgrounds, like October Mountain State Forest, do not allow same-day reservations. A frustrated camper noted, "First off no same day reservations or walk-ups allowed."
- Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Monadnock State Park Campground said, "I wish this were clearer on their website as we needed service to do some work."
- Mosquitoes: The area can have a lot of mosquitoes, especially in warmer months. One camper warned, "The mosquitoes here were something out of a Soviet lab."
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Camping On The Battenkill, a reviewer said, "A big playground for kids."
- Plan for Rain: Be ready for sudden weather changes. One family at Wells State Park Campground experienced a storm but still had fun, saying, "Even with the heavy downpour, the site soaked it up and we had one small puddle."
- Bring Extra Lights: It can get very dark at night. A camper at Wells State Park Campground advised, "Bring two lights at night!"
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Accessibility: Some sites may not be RV-friendly. A camper at Wells State Park Campground mentioned, "The driveway to site 38 was a mess."
- Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. A reviewer at Camping On The Battenkill noted, "They have tent sites to full hookup sites."
- Be Prepared for Fees: Some campgrounds have additional fees for non-residents. A visitor at October Mountain State Forest shared, "It cost me $52 because I am not a Massachusetts resident, per night."
Camping near New Salem, Massachusetts, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Salem, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Salem, MA is Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near New Salem, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near New Salem, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.