Best Tent Camping near New Salem, MA
Tent campgrounds near New Salem, Massachusetts offer several rustic and walk-in options throughout the region. Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston provides tent-only sites that require campers to park and walk in with their gear. Federated Womens Club State Forest in Petersham offers primitive backcountry tent camping approximately 15 minutes from New Salem, with significantly fewer amenities but greater solitude.
Most tent sites in the region require some level of self-sufficiency. At Tully Lake, campers must use provided wooden carts to transport equipment from the central parking area to their sites, with distances ranging from a few yards to nearly a mile. Federated Womens Club State Forest requires campers to check in at Erving State Forest first and has walk-in only sites with a composting toilet near the group camping area. Sites generally include fire rings and picnic tables, though firewood availability varies by location. Water access is limited or non-existent at more primitive locations. One visitor noted, "The entrance road is marked with signs, but I accidentally drove past it the first time."
Tent campsites around New Salem provide a range of experiences from moderately developed to highly primitive. At Tully Lake, sites offer privacy with some near the water and others on bluffs, creating a more secluded camping experience without vehicle noise. The lack of RVs and cars at the sites creates a quieter environment for tent campers. Several areas provide access to hiking trails, with Tully Lake featuring paths along Doane's Falls and around the lake itself. In early summer, sites can be buggy, so repellent is recommended. A camper observed that "Some of the sites are definitely walk-in, with a narrow trail leading from the road. It's possible to park at other sites; high clearance vehicles are definitely preferred."
