147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The central Massachusetts region around Phillipston contains several established campgrounds offering a mix of accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground and Otter River State Forest serve as primary camping destinations, both located within 10 miles of Phillipston. These state-managed properties provide options for tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and in some cases cabin or yurt rentals. Many campgrounds in the area feature waterfront access to lakes and ponds, with facilities ranging from primitive tent sites to developed RV camping with electric, water, and sewer connections.
Most campgrounds in the Phillipston area operate seasonally from May through September or October, with limited or no winter accessibility. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cellular service varies significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds reporting minimal connectivity. The terrain is generally wooded with moderate elevation changes, and camping areas are typically situated around small lakes and ponds. Sites range from open and exposed to deeply shaded. One camper noted: "Cell phone coverage was nearly nonexistent. We could get maybe 1 bar on Verizon, sometimes 3G, sometimes not even that."
Waterfront locations consistently receive higher ratings from visitors, with Lake Dennison and Tully Lake offering popular swimming and paddling opportunities. Sites along ponds or with water views command premium positions and tend to book earliest. Visitors consistently mention the natural setting and peaceful atmosphere as primary draws. Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with beaches, though water access varies by location. Campers appreciate the mix of privacy and community these mixed-use campgrounds provide. As one review explained: "It is so convenient to camp right on the lake. We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake." Bathroom and shower facilities vary in quality and maintenance across properties, with some locations offering modern amenities while others maintain more basic facilities.
"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"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 Availability"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"Volleyball and horseshoes are near the entrance. You may purchase firewood. The bathrooms offer flush toilets and a single shower on each site, plus a dishwashing sink outside."
from $40 / night
"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 Availability"Campsites are well shaded but if you have an RV take the time to rent an RV site otherwise backing in will put you in and awkward position as the mixed use “standard” sites are oriented towards tent camping"
"The campsite is big and away from another site. You can easilly access to hiking trails. The staff there are friendly and helpful. It's definitely a plus."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!"
from $28 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart."
"the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake"
from $42 - $65 / night
Check Availability"We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river. Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful."
"Large, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests given the pandemic right now."
from $47 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
ScoutThis year we returned to Clarksburg state park, and again, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Plenty of families stayed during the weekend, but the site never fails to give the isolation needed from the noise.
TravelerPublished 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
ScoutThis camp is very family and let friendly. From the check-in to check-out everyone was so friendly. We will be back
ScoutIf you stay in the eagles nest and get. Perimeter spot you overlook a lake, it’s nice and quiet. Everyone waves, nice lake to fish on. Front desk/owner? is a sweetheart.
ScoutWe spent the weekend here with our 4 kiddos ages 8,6,4, and 3. The kids had a blast. The bathrooms are spotless. They are in the process if renovating but that didnt interfere with our visit. They have a playground, pool, and yard games for the kiddos to use. Wish they had bigger grass sites. I think they will have some in the future.
GuideWe had a great stay despite the rain from May 29 - June 1st. We had the entire loop to ourselves for 2 of 3 nights. The restroom was clean. Showers took tokens and there was plenty of water. The manager Julia and staff member Aiden were great. All the sites in the upper loop were large and had platforms. The lower loop smaller with no platforms. There are some lean tos as well. They have a small discovery room for families. There were trails nearby and the dam was a short drive away. The only downside is that there is no washing station for dishes and the sites are close together. The staff did say that the park does not get crowded.
ScoutI stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
ScoutAmazing place and community, unfortunately very expensive.
Camping spots near Phillipston, Massachusetts occupy the hilly terrain of north central Massachusetts where elevations range from 900 to 1,300 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging between 70-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds in this area feature wooded settings with moderate to steep terrain, creating natural drainage during the frequent summer thunderstorms common to the region.
Paddle on Tully Lake: Explore the calm waters at Tully Lake Recreation Area where canoe and kayak rentals are available on-site. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip!" notes Megan G., who appreciated the water access directly from the campground.
Hike to Doane's Falls: A short, family-friendly hike from Tully Lake campground leads to a series of five cascading waterfalls. "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," shares Nancy R.
Summit Mount Monadnock: Located about 25 miles from Phillipston, Gilson Pond Area Campground serves as a perfect base camp for hiking this famous peak. "Mount Monadnock may not be the tallest mountain in New Hampshire, but it's rocky and bald, and provides 365-degree views of the surrounding valley and distant mountains," explains Tara S.
Golf and swim: For families seeking more developed recreation, Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts offers an on-site 9-hole golf course, though recent guests note it "needs maintenance" while still providing a casual option for campers.
Private island camping: At Tully Lake, campers can reserve unique island sites. "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods," reports Kris M. about the secluded experience.
Convenient lake access: Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground features multiple waterfront sites. "We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake," writes Gabe N. The lake offers swimming and fishing opportunities throughout the camping season.
Quiet woodland settings: Many campers value the peace and privacy found at Otter River State Forest. "So clean, quiet, friendly staff, great trails and lots of exploring and lounging by the fire," notes Anna B., highlighting the natural setting that attracts repeat visitors.
Car-free camping: Several campgrounds in the region feature walk-in sites that enhance the natural experience. "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," explains Nancy R. about Tully Lake.
Mosquito intensity: The wooded, pond-rich environment creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent," advises Sa R. about Tully Lake. Multiple campers mention insect activity as a significant consideration throughout the region.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book extremely early, especially waterfront locations. "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," notes Kris M.
Road noise impacts: When selecting a campsite, consider proximity to roads. "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," warns Rachael K. at Lake Dennison.
Variable site sizes: Ashuelot River Campground and others in the region offer diverse site configurations. "Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night," explains John L., noting the tradeoffs between privacy and views.
Beach access priority: "The lake is clean and the beach is clean and soft(ish)," notes Alan about Lake Dennison's swimming area, making it popular for families with small children. Several campgrounds in the region offer designated swimming beaches with varying quality.
Playground availability: Gilson Pond Campground includes "a nice playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games," according to Jean C., providing options for keeping children entertained.
Site selection for families: At Tully Lake, "Site 1 was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out. No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around," shares Megan G.
Seasonal activities: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort runs scheduled events throughout summer. "With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored. Quiet time is quiet time which is great for families," notes Brian G., making it suitable for longer family stays.
Electrical protection: Campgrounds in the region vary in electrical reliability. "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical," warns Glenn M. about potential issues at some facilities.
Site access considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have narrow, curved roads. "Pretty tight to maneuver bigger rigs. Sites are small-ish, but they work," notes Steve K. about Pine Acres, reflecting a common challenge in this densely wooded region.
Water hookup proximity: At some campgrounds, amenities may be distributed unevenly. "This campground has two sides. The side we stayed on didn't have a dishwashing station. The nearest one was over a mile away in the other half of the campground making it very inconvenient," explains Nicole P.
Seasonal limitations: Most RV sites in the area operate from May through October, with varying seasonal opening dates. "We stayed for 3 days off season, mid September. Very quiet during the week, weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night," reports John L. about Woodmore Campground, highlighting how the experience changes seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Phillipston, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Phillipston, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Phillipston, MA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Phillipston, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Phillipston, MA is Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Phillipston, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Phillipston, MA.
What parks are near Phillipston, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Phillipston, MA that allow camping, notably Tully Lake and Edward MacDowell Lake.
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