Tent camping near Northborough, Massachusetts centers around a collection of lakes, reservoirs, and forested areas at elevations between 400-1,100 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping often requires extra layers for nighttime temperatures that can drop below 50°F. Campers should prepare for spotty cell service throughout the region, as several campgrounds report limited to no connectivity even with major carriers.
What to Do
Paddling exploration: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to explore the lake's islands and shoreline. "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 Ben P.
Disc golf: Located near the Tully Lake dam, the disc golf course provides an alternative recreation option during summer months. One visitor reported, "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity" during their July visit.
Island camping adventure: Boston Harbor Islands State Park offers a unique camping experience accessible only by ferry from Boston or Hingham. "Just getting to the island is a fun adventure. The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets," shares Martha H.
Swimming at Breakheart Reservation: Adjacent to Camp Nihan Education Center, Breakheart Reservation features a shallow pond with lifeguards during summer months. "A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy...adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails," says Michael V.
What Campers Like
Private waterfront access: Many sites at Tully Lake offer direct water access. "Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," notes Megan G. This creates opportunities for swimming and paddling directly from your campsite.
Car-free camping environment: Barton Cove Campground maintains a gated tent camping area that requires a specific entry process. "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite - 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... It's a bit of a hassle but worth it," explains Brie B.
Group camping options: Several campgrounds accommodate larger groups. "Each site has a table and a fire ring. The sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping," reports Miguel B. about Tully Lake.
Sunset views: Boston Harbor Islands provides spectacular sunset viewing opportunities. "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it," shares Jess G. about their Lovells Island experience.
What You Should Know
Primitive facilities: Federated Womens Club State Forest offers truly primitive camping with minimal amenities. "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," advises Jean C., who also notes "It's very hard to find information about this campground" and "cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon."
Reservation timing: Campgrounds in the region book quickly during summer months. For Boston Harbor Islands, Martha H. advises, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings."
Ferry logistics: Island camping requires coordination with ferry schedules. "We took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells," describes Jess G., who also warns, "Make sure that you bring enough drinking water."
Site allocation issues: Some campers report arrival challenges. "When we got to the island we found that all of the sites had already been taken even though we had booked online months ahead," notes Jess G. about Boston Harbor Islands.
Tips for Camping with Families
Consider walk distances: When camping with young children, consider proximity to bathrooms. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," notes Lauren A. about their Tully Lake experience.
Child-friendly campground layout: Buck Hill Campground provides cluster-style sites ideal for family groups. "All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). Many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond," describes Greg R.
No-vehicle camping benefits: The car-free nature of several campgrounds creates safer environments for children. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," shares Megan G. about Tully Lake.
Urban-accessible outdoor experience: Camp Nihan offers a convenient introduction to camping for families near Boston. "All of this right in Saugus MA, less than 30 minutes from Boston," notes Michael V., who describes it as the "Perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping near Northborough focuses on tent camping with few dedicated RV facilities. Tent-only campgrounds like Tully Lake prohibit RVs entirely. "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," explains Nancy R.
Alternative accommodation options: For those seeking more comfort than tent camping provides, consider yurts at Boston Harbor Islands. "The yurts on Peddocks are great, providing shelter from the elements, bunks with mattresses, electricity, a ceiling fan, table with benches, and a grill," explains Jean C.
