Best Tent Camping near Rowe, MA
Tent campsites in the Rowe, Massachusetts region offer a mix of established and primitive options for outdoor enthusiasts. Tully Lake Recreation Area provides tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Zoar Outdoor offers tent camping with access to water activities on the nearby Deerfield River. Barton Cove Campground, located in Gill, features tent platforms and waterfront views for those seeking a more structured camping experience.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require campers to park in designated lots and walk to their sites. At Tully Lake, wooden wheelbarrows are provided to transport gear from the parking area to campsites, which range from a short walk to nearly a mile from vehicles. According to one visitor, "You park and walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them." Many sites include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary widely. Barton Cove features porta-potties and latrines that reviewers note are "very clean," while Tully Lake offers flush toilets and coin-operated hot showers in a central bathhouse.
The tent camping experience near Rowe emphasizes natural settings and water access. Sites at Tully Lake provide opportunities for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, with some campsites offering direct water entry. A reviewer mentioned that "there are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake," though these fill quickly when reservations open. Tent campers at Barton Cove enjoy views between trees, though swimming is limited to those who rent watercraft. For more secluded backcountry tent camping, hikers can access the Seth Warner Shelter in Vermont, which offers both shelter space and tent spots about 6 miles from the nearest town. Most tent campgrounds in the region fill quickly during summer weekends, with holiday periods booking months in advance.