M
Maggie B.
Scout
ScoutOtter River State Forest
Highly Recommend
Great place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
Camping near Paxton, MA
135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Paxton, Massachusetts encompasses a mix of state parks, family resorts, and RV-friendly facilities throughout central Massachusetts. The area is situated within easy reach of several established campgrounds, including Wells State Park in Sturbridge and Pine Acres Family Camping Resort in Oakham. Pout and Trout in nearby Rutland provides additional camping options, while Cold Brook Campground in Barre offers tent and RV sites with various amenities. Most campgrounds in the region feature wooded settings with access to ponds or lakes, providing opportunities for water recreation alongside hiking trails through the forested New England landscape.
Most campgrounds in the Paxton area operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Reservations are typically required and should be made well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with many campgrounds reporting limited or spotty coverage. Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, even at campsites. Summer brings warm days and cool nights, while spring and fall camping offers comfortable temperatures but occasional rain. Mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive at some locations, especially near water features.
The camping experience varies significantly between private resorts and state parks in the region. Private campgrounds like Pine Acres and Camp Coldbrook offer more amenities including full hookups, camp stores, and organized activities, making them suitable for families seeking convenience. State parks such as Wells State Park provide a more natural setting with well-marked hiking trails and quieter surroundings. According to reviews, Wells State Park offers "some of the best hiking from a campground in the area, with a huge system of trails which are all very well marked." Many campgrounds feature waterfront sites, with ponds suitable for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Firewood is generally available for purchase on-site, as bringing outside wood is often prohibited to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Best Campgrounds near Paxton (135)
1. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort
"Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you’ll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground."
"Although the tent sites are a distance from anything, the main areas of the campground are fantastic. With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored."
from $70 - $115 / night
Check Availability2. Wells State Park Campground
"This is a great campground located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts on walker pond. Brand new bathroom/shower facility this year. Offers hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Nice and quiet also."
"Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts
"The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!"
from $28 - $58 / night
Check Availability4. Spacious Skies Minute Man
"The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."
"The location was perfect to see so much in the area (Minute Man National Historical Park, Boston, Salem, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Providence etc)."
from $44 - $999 / night
Check Availability5. Pout and Trout
"This campground is located near two beautiful disc golf courses and the reason we stayed. The campground itself was fantastic, the owner at the front building was very helpful and so sweet."
6. Sutton Falls Camping Area
"Cute quiet place with a lake. Family run very friendly. They only thing I didnt love is they remodeled one set of bathrooms in the back and the front was the old set."
"Cabins and RV sites across the lake, along with beaches for swimming. Bathrooms located on P1 peninsula. Canoe rentals on-site. Lovely picnic dining area alongside covered bridge and waterfall."
from $40 - $65 / night
Check Availability7. Otter River State Forest
"Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts."
"I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts"
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability8. George Washington State Campground
"So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first: This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."
"The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."
from $18 - $75 / night
Check Availability9. Cold brook Campground and Resort
from $77 / night
Check Availability10. Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground
"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. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."
"As a caveat, waterfront in this instance was more of a water view as the lake was on the other side of the campground road and a large open area with trees."
from $17 - $35 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 14 min from Worcester, MA
- 53 min from Providence, RI
- 53 min from Springfield, MA
- 1 hr 1 min from Amherst Center, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Paxton, MA
250 Photos of 135 Paxton Campgrounds
Shawn D.
Pine Acres Family Camping Resort
Keri H.
Cold brook Campground and Resort
Jacob S.
Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts
Ryan W.
Wells State Park Campground
Stephanie M.
Sutton Falls Camping Area
Travis
Douglas Forest RV Resort
Mara S.
Thousand Trails Sturbridge
Jessica L.
Lamb City Campground
fallon
Sunset View Farms
Rachel P.
Otter River State Forest
Eric LeBoeuf
Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground
Michael C.
West Thompson Lake Campground
Recent Reviews near Paxton, MA
617 Reviews of 135 Paxton Campgrounds
Greg S.
LegendTravelers Woods Of New England, Inc
4.3 stars
Pros- easy on off of the interstate. Very nice people! Nicely kept grounds. Cool camp store. Nice playground and green space. Scenic small river runs along the back of the property. Beautiful surrounding area! Cons- swimming isn't allowed in the river! It's crystal clear and deep in spots right next to camp sites. Crushing blow that we couldn't play in it. Sites pretty tight. Moderate highway noise. Only full hookup sites are up by the highway without any nature to speak of.
If you are like us and want to play in the creek, drive or walk a half a mile up the road and take a little path right before the low bridge. Great swimming hole in some of the clearest water I have ever seen.- A
Ashley H.
TravelerMashamoquet Brook Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Cozy Rustic Campground
Due to the heat wave, I opted not to spend the night, but we did roll through and check out the area. First thing we noticed is how close and open the sites were, with a few exceptions. I attached photos of the more secluded sites I plan to choose next time. Site 49 is what I had reserved and it was large and partially secluded. The bathroom buildings are boarded up across the campground and state park with port o potties in front. I was not eager to check those out… a bucket started feeling like the safer option lol It was quiet but on the more secluded sites, there was ample road noise and you could see the road from some sites. I didn’t get a chance to look for the walkway to the park and river, but I plan to next time. The state park and river nearby was beautiful and quiet and serene with smattering Fourth of July picnics. Overall, I plan to return here when the weather is more cooperative and my car camper is better equipped :)
Kaitlynn F.ScoutSunset View Farms
So fun!
I have 4 kids, 8 and under and they had an absolute blast. We will definitely be back.
Kyle G.ScoutTully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
Amazing
9/10 Have to cart everything to site but everything else good
- RRalph C.Traveler
Hanscom AFB FamCamp
Worst Military Campground
Published rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
- VVictoria V.Traveler
Hide-A-Way Cove Campground
Just okay
When we arrived at our site we were instantly greeted with an angry resident. He started shooing us away as we were trying to park our camper at our site. He needed to back out and leave but we had only been there no more than 3 minutes before he popped up angrily. There are a lot of long term campers there. Very very unkept campers. Broken down, damaged, some look unlivable. Some may not like the dozens of cats everywhere, but I did. It’s fun to spot a new cat roaming around the campground. The pool is nice and clean. The playground is cute. The Arcade is not worth going to. A lot of the games were broken or empty. Bikes are NOT allowed. My 8 year old son was riding his bike and we were told he couldn’t do that at this campground. The pond/beach area is beautiful. You can try fishing in it. We didn’t catch anything. I definitely don’t suggest swimming in it. It’s not clean enough for that. Camp “store” is very minimal in what they have. Mostly little candy and some minor essentials. There is also a little restaurant attached to the camp store. I like that the sites were grass and not dirt. Or site did not have sewer. We had to go to the dump station to empty black water.
- Richard A.Traveler
Gibson Hill RV Park
Worst I've Been To Blatant Deceptive Advertising
Let me save you from making a grave mistake. The campground was quiet. That's the best thing I can say about Gibson Hill after spending a week there. Totally unkempt and in disarray. The roads are a rocky, dusty rutted mess. The campsites while some newly graveled, not well I might add, are not level. The electric at my site kept tripping off. I finally discovered, with no help from the non-existent management, that the service disconnect breaker was bad. Luckily I had an extra 30A cord and was able to plug into the unoccupied adjacent site. How this abomination has any 5 star reviews is above my pay grade. During the week we were here we never saw a camp representative. We were not welcomed by anyone affiliated with the campground and I never saw anyone on duty in the office. The is NO weekly entertainment. There is NO weekly bonfire. THERE IS NO POOL. Our site had no picnic table and no fire ring and had areas dotted with clumps of gray fur. Obviously noone had inspected our site for cleanliness prior to our arrival. Our first visitor was a 4' rat snake. There was debris strewn all over the grounds. There was one trash container. Unlined and uncovered. No dog poop bags or signs regarding poop pickup. There was a lot of demolition but no new construction ongoing. The“pool” is a 4’ deep square under construction and far from being completed. The“resort” signage was a joke. It took me 3 tries to find my way out of the campground. The entrance sign is installed parallel to the road rather than perpendicular to it for visibility. The number of decrepit or abandoned trailers on site was unbelievable. We were never told if the campground was under new management and/or under going refurbishment. In any event it was missing the mark. Unfortunately we paid for a week in advance so we were stuck here. NEVER AGAIN. I’m leaving this truthful review so no other potential campers are duped into staying here. Definitely an absentee owner who doesn't have a clue. Really too bad because the location and grounds have enormous potential. I will let Happy Grounds and RV LIFE know of my great disappointment and suspect reviews. By the way, to the reviewer who said they enjoyed the pool. THERE IS NO POOL. There is NO on-site management.
nancy B.ScoutHoliday Acres Campground
Worse campground ever
There site map lies. Noisy people. Tons of loud kids. Uneven site. Marijuana smoke by me. Was to stay 3 nights but left the next morning. Total nightmare. And the dust. Even with everything shut up it fill the RV.
Guide to Paxton
The camping spots near Paxton, Massachusetts feature varied terrain across central Massachusetts with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in this region sit within the Worcester Hills ecoregion, characterized by mixed hardwood forests and small ponds. Cell reception varies widely between valleys and hilltops, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage throughout the area.
What to do
Paddle on Aldrich Mill Pond: At Sutton Falls Camping Area, visitors can rent canoes and explore the scenic waters. "People are real nice here. Pretty place. But very remote. Ok place for overnight stay but wouldn't stay longer," notes one visitor, highlighting its peaceful setting.
Hike well-maintained trails: The forested paths at Wells State Park Campground offer scenic walking opportunities. "Beautiful park! yes you will hear the road so plan accordingly and not all sites are level. The best plus aide ever....NEW HUGE bathrooms!!" mentions one camper who appreciated the renovated facilities.
Fish in stocked waters: Lake Dennison Recreation Area provides good fishing opportunities in a 85-acre lake. "Nice quiet place for all the sites showers could be better bathrooms were clean but out dated," explains one visitor, pointing to the well-maintained grounds despite basic facilities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground maintains well-kept grounds and bathhouses. "This is a gorgeous campground with clean facilities and responsive rangers. The sites on the North side are spacious & quiet," shares one camper who found the north shore particularly appealing.
Family-friendly activities: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort offers organized events and recreation options. "Although the tent sites are a distance from anything, the main areas of the campground are fantastic. With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored," notes one visitor.
Privacy between sites: George Washington State Campground provides spacious, separated campsites. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)," explains a camper, highlighting the good maintenance and clean facilities.
What you should know
Varying site quality: At Otter River State Forest, site locations significantly impact experience. "This is a smaller campground with a few loops of campsites. The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent," explains one camper who recommends waterfront locations.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds have traffic noise issues. "The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road which is used by logging trucks," notes a Lake Dennison visitor, suggesting campers select sites away from main roads.
Seasonal facilities: Most campgrounds operate from mid-May through October. "Stayed on an rv site for 1 week this past summer. Had a great time, kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing," shares a Sutton Falls visitor, pointing to summer being peak season for water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Spacious Skies Minute Man provides swimming facilities appropriate for children. "Clean sites and facilities. Staff was very helpful. Sites are a bit on the smaller side and not very private. Great location to see some of the historical sites in the area. Heated pool was great!" shares one family who appreciated the amenities.
Bug preparation: Pack insect repellent, especially for summer evenings. "Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you'll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground. AWESOME pools (very kid friendly), parks, dog park, hiking trails," mentions a Pine Acres visitor who enjoyed the extensive facilities despite the wooded setting.
Site selection for comfort: Choose sites away from common areas if seeking quiet. "This campground is pretty and offers many private site options. We didn't use the bathrooms so can't speak on that. But overall it's a clean campground," notes a Lake Dennison camper who found the layout accommodating.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts provides basic services for RVs. "Grounds well kept. Shaded sites. Quiet areas in lower roads with mostly seasonal. Reasonable cost. 30 amp only. Many full hookups. Pet friendly," explains an RV camper who found the electrical service sufficient despite limitations.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require leveling equipment. "We were able to pull in and get leveled relatively easily, even in the pitch-black. The site was very spacious, close to the bath house, and had a really nice view of Walker Pond through the surrounding trees," shares a Wells State Park visitor describing site preparation.
Water and sewer access: Most campgrounds offer water hookups but limited sewer connections. "The fire ring grill is NOT adjustable so I had to use my portable grate to make cooking over the live fire easy and pleasant," notes a Lake Dennison RVer who appreciated the amenities but found cooking accommodations basic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Paxton?
What campgrounds are available in Paxton?
While there aren't campgrounds directly in Paxton, several excellent options exist within a short drive in central Massachusetts. Wells State Park Campground in nearby Sturbridge offers beautiful sites on Walker Pond with hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing, plus updated shower facilities. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort near Oakham provides full-service camping with water and toilet facilities. Both are within reasonable driving distance from Paxton and offer reservable sites.
Are there any primitive campsites near Paxton?
Are there any primitive campsites near Paxton?
For primitive camping experiences near Paxton, Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake in Royalston offers paddle-in or walk-in sites with a more rustic experience. Managed by the Trustees of Reservations, some prime sites feature direct water access. Another option is Otter River State Forest in Winchendon, which provides a more secluded camping experience with basic amenities in a beautiful forest setting. Both locations are within driving distance from Paxton and offer a more back-to-nature camping experience.
What camping is available near Paxton, MA?
What camping is available near Paxton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Paxton, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 135 campgrounds and RV parks near Paxton, MA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Paxton, MA?
Which is the most popular campground near Paxton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paxton, MA is Pine Acres Family Camping Resort with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paxton, MA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paxton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Paxton, MA.
What parks are near Paxton, MA?
What parks are near Paxton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Paxton, MA that allow camping, notably Buffumville Lake and Westville Lake.
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