Best Tent Camping near North Hatfield, MA

Tent campsites near North Hatfield, Massachusetts range from established campgrounds to more primitive walk-in sites, with several options within 30 miles. Barton Cove Campground in Gill and Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston both offer tent-specific camping experiences with varying amenities and natural settings. Federated Womens Club State Forest provides more rustic tent camping options for those seeking a more secluded experience.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, though facilities vary considerably between locations. At Tully Lake, campsites are walk-in only, with no vehicle access directly to sites - campers use provided carts to transport gear from the parking area to their campsite. Many sites require reservations, especially during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Barton Cove features tent platforms, grills, and picnic tables, but limited water access points require campers to bring refillable containers. As one camper noted, "The sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping."

The tent camping experience in this region offers notable privacy and natural surroundings. Tully Lake provides waterfront sites where campers can swim directly from their campsite or explore the lake by canoe or kayak. Many campgrounds maintain distance between sites, allowing for a more secluded experience. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, the primitive nature of the campground appeals to those seeking a true wilderness experience, though it requires more self-sufficiency. A camper at Tully Lake mentioned, "Site 1 was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out. No cars at all at the campsites, which made for a super quiet stay."

Best Tent Sites Near North Hatfield, Massachusetts (22)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 22 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near North Hatfield, MA

617 Reviews of 22 North Hatfield Campgrounds


  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    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.

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    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. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. 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. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • K
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Quiet, secluded & nestled in the woods

    We stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!


Guide to North Hatfield

Tent camping options near North Hatfield, Massachusetts cluster primarily around the Connecticut River Valley at elevations ranging from 100-500 feet. The region features a humid continental climate with warm summers (75-85°F) and cold winters, with peak camping season running May through October. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, requiring campers to pack accordingly.

What to do

Water recreation opportunities: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, visitors can swim, paddle, and explore. "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," notes camper Ben P.

Hiking trails: Multiple hiking options exist within a 30-minute drive of North Hatfield. The trail around Tully Lake spans 4 miles with moderate terrain. "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," explains Nancy R.

Whitewater activities: Zoar Outdoor offers organized water adventures for those seeking more excitement. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," states Seth K.

Historical exploration: The area surrounding Quabbin Reservoir contains remnants of towns submerged in the 1930s. Hikers can discover old cellar holes and foundations throughout the region, particularly near Federated Womens Club State Forest.

What campers like

Cart-based camping: The no-vehicle policy at select campgrounds creates a quieter experience. "No cars at all at the campsites, which made for a super quiet stay," reports one Tully Lake visitor. Carts are provided for transporting gear from parking areas.

Site privacy: Many campgrounds offer significant space between sites. At Maple Ridge Farm, "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," according to Les R.

Waterfront access: Direct lake access is available at select sites. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip! We will be returning," states Megan G.

Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain clean amenities. At Barton Cove, one camper noted: "Porta potties and latrines were very clean. There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: The best tent camping near North Hatfield requires advance planning. For Tully Lake, "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year)," explains Kris M.

Water access limitations: Water sources are limited at many campgrounds. At Barton Cove Campground, "You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water) and sites are fenced in due to how steep it is to the water," notes Brie B.

Transportation logistics: Some campgrounds have specific entry procedures. One camper described Barton Cove's process: "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."

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on bathroom proximity when camping with children. At Tully Lake, one camper mentioned: "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."

Weather preparation: The Connecticut River Valley can experience significant temperature fluctuations and unexpected rain. Pack extra layers and rain gear, especially for spring and fall camping trips.

Unique accommodations: For families seeking alternatives to standard tent camping, Chester Railway Station offers a novel option. "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night," shares Esther L.

Activity planning: During holiday weekends, some campgrounds become busy with younger crowds. A Tully Lake visitor noted: "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay."

Tips for RVers

Limited RV options: Traditional RV camping is limited near North Hatfield. Most campgrounds cater primarily to tent camping, with few offering hookups or RV-specific amenities.

Campground improvements: Some campgrounds are upgrading facilities. At Sodom Mountain Campground, "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer," reports Brad N.

Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically closing after Labor Day. Limited winter camping options exist, with most facilities shutting down water sources and bathrooms during colder months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near North Hatfield, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near North Hatfield, MA is Barton Cove Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near North Hatfield, MA?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near North Hatfield, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.