Petersham, Massachusetts sits in north central Massachusetts at around 800 feet elevation, offering relatively mild summer temperatures compared to lowland areas. The region features mixed hardwood forests intersected by small streams and ponds. Camping options include state-managed facilities with yurt accommodations that provide electrical amenities while maintaining a rustic feel in woodland settings.
What to do
Trail exploration: Erving State Forest Campground offers multiple hiking paths with varied difficulty levels around Laurel Lake. "There's a separate boat launch at the far end of the road from the beach. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy," notes one camper who visited the area.
Water activities: Campers at Wells State Park Campground can enjoy swimming at Walker Pond. A visitor mentioned, "This is a great campground located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts on walker pond. Offers hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Nice and quiet also."
Seasonal outdoor activities: Fall foliage viewing becomes a primary attraction from late September through October. "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides," reported a visitor to Northampton/Springfield KOA.
What campers like
Quiet environment: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at Ashuelot River Campground. "Nice, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests," one reviewer shared about their experience.
Natural water features: Streams provide ambiance at several sites. A camper at The Pine Campground said, "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night."
Affordable pricing: State parks offer reasonable rates, especially for Massachusetts residents. "Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters," noted a visitor to Erving State Forest, highlighting the significant price difference based on residency.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across the region. At Erving State Forest, one visitor warned, "Download your maps for offline use! Cell connection was horrible heading up here."
Reservation requirements: Peak season demands advance planning for yurt camping in Petersham, Massachusetts and surrounding areas. At Willard Brook State Forest Campground, the limited number of sites and single yurt fill quickly, particularly weekend dates.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness vary between locations. "There are flush toilets, but no showers. The small bathroom was under renovation autumn 2020. There is a dishwashing sink," reported a visitor to Willard Brook State Forest.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on vehicle types. "Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units," explained a camper at Willard Brook State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategies: For families with young children, consider proximity to amenities. A visitor to The Pine Campground mentioned, "Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream. Playground was a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun."
Campground activities: Some locations offer structured entertainment. "The campground had a Halloween/trick or treat night, fire truck rides it's very kid friendly," noted a camper at Northampton/Springfield KOA.
Safety considerations: State parks often have ranger patrols. At Willard Brook State Forest, a camper reported, "We stayed from Thursday thru Tuesday and the police drove through at least once a day that I noticed. Not that they needed to."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many state forest campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. A reviewer at Willard Brook noted, "There are only 27 sites and only 13 sites open during the 2020/Covid Season... most sites are best suited to tents and small trailers."
Hookup availability: Full service sites exist but are limited. A camper at The Pine Campground mentioned, "We picked a site down the road from the playground, if you have kids you may want to be closer. Site 6 backs onto a little creek with full hookups."
Access challenges: Some areas have restrictions that affect RV routing. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low clearance and low weight limits," advised a visitor to Ashuelot River Campground.
