Northfield, Massachusetts offers multiple pet-friendly camping options within the Connecticut River Valley region. Located at 216 feet of elevation, the area experiences mild summers with average temperatures of 70-85°F and cool nights, making it ideal for outdoor activities with pets. Camping sites range from river-adjacent locations to forest settings, with several accommodating both tent and RV campers who travel with animals.
What to do
Swimming at Lake Dennison: Lake Dennison Recreation Area features a clean swimming beach and lake perfect for cooling off during summer camping trips. "The lake is clean and the beach is clean and soft(ish)," notes Alan, who visited in August.
Kayaking on Ashuelot River: Ashuelot River Campground offers river access for kayaking with pets. "We brought our kayaks and had no problem kayaking on the flat surface river," reports Karen O., while Michael M. adds, "Beautiful river to float down or paddle up. Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground."
Hiking with dogs: Several trails near Monadnock State Park offer hiking opportunities where leashed pets are permitted in surrounding areas. "There are several lookouts on the journey to the summit, and the view from the top is amazing," explains Jake F. Note that pets are not allowed within Monadnock State Park itself.
Off-leash trails: Some campgrounds provide dedicated areas for dogs to run freely. Camie S. mentions at Ashuelot River Campground: "Nice trail to let the dogs go off leash and get their energy out."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping areas. At Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground, "Campsites had nice spacing in between," according to Emily H., while Rachael K. notes, "Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain sanitary conditions even during busy periods. "The bathrooms are immaculate. The showers take coins but the facilities are some of the best I've seen while camping on State Park grounds," reports Jess G. about Gilson Pond Campground.
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the diverse landscapes. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, Megan G. explains, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out."
Kayak and canoe rentals: Several campgrounds offer on-site equipment rental. "Canoes and kayaks are available for rental. Volleyball and horseshoes are near the entrance," notes Jean C. about Tully Lake.
What you should know
Varying levels of site privacy: Not all campgrounds offer equal seclusion. At Otter River State Forest, Taylor R. observes, "The sites are quite small and close together. There were a ton of kids and it was pretty noisy until about 11pm and then starting again around 7am."
Seasonal usage factors: Weekends and holidays can be crowded. Regarding Tully Lake, Lauren A. shares, "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."
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have limited connectivity. Tim S. at Erving State Forest Campground cautions, "There is zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine... but wished we knew ahead of time."
Reserve early for prime sites: Water-adjacent camping spots book quickly. Kris M. advises about Tully Lake, "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April), so you have to be on your game."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Kampfires, Chris H. recommends, "Our family loves this campground. We come here for softball and they are so accommodating. Plus they have an amazing Ice cream stand."
Consider tent-only campgrounds: These often provide a quieter experience. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, Megan G. notes, "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."
Choose sites away from highways: Road noise can be an issue at certain locations. At Lake Dennison, Rachael K. explains, "The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds."
Check bathroom distance: Some campsites are far from facilities. Nancy R. mentions about Tully Lake, "The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. From some of the sites, this will be a long walk during the night."
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RVers should verify campsite size before booking. At Ashuelot River Campground, John C. shares, "Sites big enough for our 42' 5th wheel and 2 cars. Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups."
Approach routes matter: Some access roads have restrictions. Camie S. warns about Ashuelot River Campground, "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru. Some of the turns aren't so friendly either."
Seasonal site options: Many campgrounds offer different amenities by season. Jason A. from Travelers Woods Of New England notes, "All campsites are grass, fire rings and different size lots from tents to big rigs."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer this service. Jean C. points out about Otter River State Forest, "Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison."
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