Best Campgrounds near Princeton, MA

Campgrounds near Princeton, Massachusetts feature a mix of developed facilities and rustic experiences within central Massachusetts. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort in Oakham, approximately 10 miles west of Princeton, provides extensive family-oriented amenities including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. The region includes state parks and recreation areas such as Otter River State Forest and Pearl Hill State Park, both offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping. Several campgrounds maintain both seasonal and year-round operations, with most state-managed properties operating from May through October.

Access to campgrounds varies significantly by property type and location. Most established campgrounds near Princeton require reservations, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. State forest campgrounds like Willard Brook State Forest and Pearl Hill State Park maintain specific seasonal operating schedules, typically mid-May through mid-October. Private campgrounds such as Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts and Pout and Trout enforce specific entry protocols and amenity fees. Weather conditions influence camping experiences throughout the year, with many facilities reducing operations during colder months. One camper noted of Pine Acres, "Clean and updated. Beautiful and fun. Live music and food trucks were available. Pool and splash pad along with sandy beach."

Amenities and experiences differ substantially across the region's camping options. Developed campgrounds like Spacious Skies Minute Man and Pine Acres Family Camping Resort provide electric hookups, water, showers, and organized activities, appealing to families seeking convenience. More basic facilities exist at state forest campgrounds, where the natural setting takes precedence over amenities. Reviews indicate mixed experiences with management and rule enforcement at some properties. According to visitor feedback, "The tent sites are a distance from anything, the main areas of the campground are fantastic. With a full calendar of events you will never be bored." Several campgrounds feature water access, with lakes or ponds for swimming and fishing. State forest properties typically offer trail networks connecting camping areas with natural features, though maintenance quality varies by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Princeton, Massachusetts (124)

    1. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

    15 Reviews
    Rutland, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 882-9509

    $70 - $115 / 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."

    2. Spacious Skies Minute Man

    28 Reviews
    Ayer, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 772-0042

    $39 - $999 / night

    "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."

    "Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."

    3. Otter River State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Baldwinville, MA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 939-8962

    $17 - $55 / night

    "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"

    4. Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    14 Reviews
    Foster Lake, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 297-1609

    $17 - $35 / night

    "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."

    5. Pout and Trout

    4 Reviews
    Hubbardston, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (774) 441-3248

    "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. Pearl Hill State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    West Townsend, MA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 597-2850

    $17 - $35 / night

    "We really lucked out with getting one of a few sites left on Memorial Day weekend - after walking the campground, I think we would have chosen the same one again! "

    "It was like walking with fur on the bottom of our shoes. The dog also got needles stuck all over and we had to use our COVID alcohol gel to get the glue off. "

    7. Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts

    4 Reviews
    Barre, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 355-2090

    $28 - $58 / night

    "The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!"

    8. The Pine Campground

    7 Reviews
    Ashby, MA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 386-7702

    "Small river/ brook rind behind the campground.   Some shots have nice sound of river right behind the sites.  No pond or pool for swimming."

    9. Wells State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Sturbridge, MA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 347-9257

    $17 - $55 / night

    "Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."

    "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."

    10. Willard Brook State Forest Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ashby, MA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 597-8802

    $14 - $55 / night

    "This small state forest campground in north/central Massachusetts is just up the hill from Damon Pond. I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area.  "

    "This campground is small - but its conveniently located near a larger city if you decide you want to venture back to civilization. The trails in the park are nice and well maintained."

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Recent Reviews near Princeton, MA

610 Reviews of 124 Princeton Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Nice ‘n Easy campground

    We stayed for 3 days off season so not busy. Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night. Sites have fire rings with excellent airflow for good burning with low smoke. Hook ups are in great condition for power, water, sewer. Showers and bath house on site. Laundry and game room at office area. Office staff was very helpful and they’re open later into the day til 7 PM. Good firewood and large bundle delivered for $15 to your site. We passed over this site on our first trip to the area but are glad we came here and we’re planning to return. Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits.

  • Kathleen S.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Loud and crowded!

    Know what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it,$20 for her and$20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!

  • Rae-Ann W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Another great trip to Ashuelot River Campground

    We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground. We recently purchased a new-to-us camper and wanted to get in a trip or two before putting it away for the winter. This was our 2nd visit to Ashuelot.

    We were in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park. We were in a fully wooded area on the left side of the campground, which we prefer. They have sites located in fully open areas, as well as some that are partially wooded and have river access. There is a nice mix.

    Having good weather, we took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit. We were able to enjoy a nice, slow drift around the campground.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our time again and will definitely be back.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    Great stop

    Lovely campground. Clean, good WiFi. Kind campers. Will be back

  • Michael
    Sep. 20, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    The Quarry Campground

    Very quiet. At night all you can hear is the crackling of the campfire.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park

    Good Campground

    Stayed for over a week off season , mid September. Very quiet during the week , weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night. Very loud until after 10:00 on Friday / Saturday. 50 percent or more is seasonal camp sites. Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy. Owners are exceptionally helpful and work hard to keep the site functioning and clean. Coin operated showers with hot water, mostly nice and clean except after a crowd gets packed and checks out Sunday AM. Laundry room takes quarters for machines. Small store at office which was open every day. Game room with wi fi. Pool , playground , volleyball area. Good size wood bundle for $10 , delivered directly to your site. Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.


Guide to Princeton

Campgrounds around Princeton, Massachusetts occupy central Massachusetts' forested landscapes. The camping season typically runs from late May through October, with many facilities reducing operations or closing entirely during colder months. Average summer temperatures range 65-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for wider temperature swings and potential frost.

What to do

Hiking trails and waterways: Willard Brook State Forest campground connects to Pearl Hill State Park through a network of hiking paths. "There are hiking trails in the area and, of course, swimming at the small pond. A nearby roadside waterfall offers another picnic area opportunity. For a longer hike, you can hike to and from Pearl Lake State Park," notes a visitor to Willard Brook State Forest Campground.

Fishing opportunities: Lake Dennison Recreation Area offers shoreline fishing with multiple access points. "We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake. There is a tiny swimming beach on the campground side and we try to stay as close as possible to it," shares a camper at Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground. The 85-acre lake provides habitat for bass, pickerel, and other species.

Local attractions: Campgrounds near Princeton provide access to regional attractions. "White Mountains, New Hampshire, is a must, worth the short drive especially if you can go in early October, when the leaves are changing. Boston is only 40 minutes away, and the best of Maine is also very close," reports a visitor to Spacious Skies Minute Man.

What campers like

Swimming areas: Pearl Hill State Park offers swimming options, though not all are equally maintained. "The beach side of the pond with picnic tables and grills. And there's also a nice little area on the opposite side of the pond with a small entry area to the pond that we bring the dogs to," reports one visitor to Pearl Hill State Park Campground.

Woodland settings: Most campgrounds feature heavily wooded sites that provide shade and separation. "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space," notes a camper from Wells State Park Campground.

Seasonal events: Many campgrounds organize regular activities during peak season. A visitor to Pine Acres noted, "This campground is in a league of their own. Beautiful landscaping and extremely well taken care of. Staff is wonderful. Plenty of activities to keep kids and adults busy all weekend and then some."

What you should know

Variable site conditions: Campsite quality and privacy vary significantly, even within the same campground. At Otter River State Forest, "With the exception of a handful of the sites at this campground (mainly, the ones on the pond that go exceptionally quickly), the sites are too small, too close together," advises one camper.

Bathroom facilities: Facility maintenance is inconsistent across campgrounds. One visitor to Willard Brook noted, "No showers and the men's restroom was a complete mess!!!! Disgusting. For 40 US-Dollar far too expensive."

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, with waterfront sites booking months in advance. "The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent," observes a visitor to Otter River State Forest.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches with gradual entry points. At Lake Dennison, "The lake is clean and the beach is clean and soft(ish)," notes a visitor, making it suitable for younger children.

Playground access: Select campgrounds maintain playground equipment for children. "Playground was a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun," reports a camper at The Pine Campground. Proximity to playgrounds should factor into site selection for families with children.

Noise considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds typically enforce quiet hours. At Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, "Quiet time is quiet time which is great for families," explains a visitor. Sites farther from main roads and recreation areas offer greater noise reduction for families with early bedtimes.

Tips from RVers

Electrical service variations: Electrical stability issues affect some campgrounds. A camper at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts warned, "The electrical system has claimed countless RV components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years."

Site accessibility: Many campgrounds have tight access roads and limited turning radius. At Spacious Skies Minute Man, "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map! Good fire pit and nice facilities," shares one RVer.

Limited large rig options: Most campgrounds limit RV length to under 35 feet. Willard Brook State Forest "Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Princeton, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Princeton, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Princeton, MA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Princeton, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Princeton, MA is Pine Acres Family Camping Resort with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Princeton, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Princeton, MA.

What parks are near Princeton, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Princeton, MA that allow camping, notably Tully Lake and Buffumville Lake.