Best Tent Camping near North Grafton, MA
State parks and public lands surrounding North Grafton, Massachusetts offer several tent-only camping options within a 90-minute drive. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston stands out as a premier tent camping destination, operated by the Trustees of Reservations on Army Corps of Engineers land. Barton Cove Campground in Gill provides rustic tent sites with platform setups along the Connecticut River. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham offers walk-in sites with minimal amenities and proximity to the Quabbin Reservoir.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying access types. Tully Lake requires campers to park at the entrance and use provided carts to transport gear to walk-in tent sites, which range from a few yards to nearly a mile from parking. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, but limited services beyond that. Barton Cove features tent platforms, clean porta-potties, and limited water access points, requiring campers to bring refillable containers. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at most locations, particularly at Federated Women's Club State Forest, where campers should download offline maps before arrival and bring their own water.
Tent campers frequently praise the quiet atmosphere that walk-in sites provide. According to reviews, Tully Lake's car-free environment creates a notably peaceful experience, with one camper noting that "no cars at the campsites made for a super quiet stay" even with children present. The island site at Tully Lake offers exceptional views and privacy, though it requires advance planning as sites fill quickly, often on the first day reservations open. Waterfront sites at several campgrounds allow direct lake access for swimming and paddling. Visitors to Barton Cove reported that despite the somewhat complex check-in process involving gate keys, the privacy and quiet atmosphere made the extra effort worthwhile. Buck Hill Campground in nearby Rhode Island offers large group tent sites in a heavily wooded setting with basic facilities for those seeking a no-frills backcountry tent camping experience.