Several campgrounds near Princeton, Massachusetts accommodate pets within a 30-minute drive. The area sits at roughly 1,000 feet elevation in Worcester County, featuring pine forests and small lakes typical of central Massachusetts. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler evenings that drop into the 50s.
What to do
Paddle on Walker Pond: At Wells State Park Campground, the small pond provides calm waters perfect for beginners. "We drove over to said site, and it was much better. 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," notes camper Jen V.
Explore hiking trails: Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground connects to numerous wooded paths with minimal elevation changes. "Loved this place. Campsites had nice spacing in between. Perfect sized lake to swim and kayak," shares Emily H. The trails surrounding the lake offer easy walks for all ability levels.
Enjoy water activities: Pearl Hill State Park Campground includes swimming areas suitable for dogs. "There is a beach side of the pond with picnic tables and grills. And theres 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 Ali B.
Try disc golf: Near Pout and Trout Campground, visitors can access nearby courses. "This campground is located near two beautiful disc golf courses and the reason we stayed," writes Megan B. The courses accommodate various skill levels and can be played year-round, weather permitting.
What campers like
Quiet camping areas: Willard Brook State Forest Campground offers peaceful sites away from road noise. "A nice and quiet Campground- we were there alone.... Site 3 is a great site. Large and separated enough from others," reports Susanne V. The campground's smaller size means fewer neighbors and more tranquility.
Clean facilities: Newer bathroom facilities at some locations receive positive reviews. "Brand new bathroom/shower facility this year. Offers hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Nice and quiet also," reports John L. about Wells State Park Campground.
Waterfront sites: Spacious Skies Minute Man provides lakeside camping opportunities. "Site seems level for the most part, made of gravel. Heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU. Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map! Good fire pit and nice facilities," notes Brittany V.
Dog-specific amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated pet areas. "Beautiful clean campground! Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim," shares Rob G. about a local campground's accommodations for four-legged visitors.
What you should know
Site placement matters: At Otter River State Forest, site locations affect your experience. "This is a smaller campground with 50 sites, no hookups, but bathrooms offering flush toilets and showers. The towering pines and oaks provide wonderful shade. I think sites 9-14 offer better privacy than some of the ones closer to the rest rooms," advises Jean C.
Varying bathroom quality: Facility conditions differ widely between campgrounds. "I stayed here in the summer of 2020. The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground," reports Jamal C. about Otter River.
Seasonal restrictions: Most state-managed campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October, with limited shoulder season availability. "The lake is clean and the beach is clean and soft(ish). Sites are wooded and shady and not RIGHT on top of each other, but pretty close together," notes Alan about Lake Dennison.
Variable cell service: Signal strength varies significantly across campgrounds. "I lost cell coverage (Verizon) as I approached the campground, so you may want to ensure you have maps downloaded for offline use if you'll be out exploring," recommends Jean C. about Pearl Hill State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: The Pine Campground offers entertainment options beyond hiking. "We were pleasantly surprised to find this campground local to us. The staff is very friendly and willing to assist. 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," shares Joe D.
Swimming options: Multiple bodies of water provide different experiences. "Clean and updated. Beautiful and fun. Live music and food trucks were available. Pool and splash pad along with sandy beach," reports Katelyn D. about Pine Acres Family Camping Resort.
Choose sites strategically: Campgrounds differ in layout and noise levels. "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. Quiet time is quiet time which is great for families," advises Brian G.
Pack insect protection: Mosquitoes can be persistent in wooded areas. "One word of caution however, our site and many others were completely covered with sticky pine needles. They get stuck on your shoes to a depth of almost a half-inch!" warns Alan about Pearl Hill.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "You can get in here with a smaller RV, but the campground isn't built for larger units with the turns and curves. They've only designated 3 sites for 35' rigs; everything else is 15-20'," warns Jean C. about Willard Brook.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "We booked site #39 online, based on proximity to bath house. No pictures of individual campsites on the ReserveAmerica booking site, so we were kind of winging it. The site seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway," shares Jen V. about Wells State Park.
Electrical issues: Some campgrounds have power challenges. "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 Camp Coldbrook.
Access roads: Navigation can be difficult at certain campgrounds. "Combined with the winding, tree-lined loop road, there was no way we were going to be able to back into that site in the dark," notes Jen V. about her experience at Wells State Park.
