Searching for the best camping near Rutland, MA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Rutland, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Massachusetts camping adventure.
$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."
$17 - $55 / night
"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."
"Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."
$28 - $58 / night
"The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!"
$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"
$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."
"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."
$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."
$40 - $65 / night
"Cute quiet place with a lake. Family run very friendly. They only thing I didnt love is they remodeled one set of bathrooms in the back and the front was the old set."
"Cabins and RV sites across the lake, along with beaches for swimming. Bathrooms located on P1 peninsula. Canoe rentals on-site. Lovely picnic dining area alongside covered bridge and waterfall."
$40 / night
"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."
ScoutWe 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.
GuideNice quiet place for all the sites showers could be better bathrooms were clean but out dated
ScoutThis place is just great! They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless. There are numerous pools and hot tubs, activities and the people that work there are just the nicest! Our kids were never scolded for being loud and neither were the adults. We have booked our return trip already and can't wait to go back!
TravelerThis campground is pretty and offers many private site options. We didn't use the bathrooms so can't speak on that. But overall it's a clean campground.
There are two loops. 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. The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy. All of the sites are good size and the fire pits are placed well.
The other loop farther away from the entrance has a lot more lakeside sites. But there's very little privacy. The sites with higher numbers by the lake are all on top of each other with little to no trees or shrubs between sites, and you can't really decipher where one site ends and the next begins. We would not stay on that loop if we visited again. Unless it was site 101 which seemed more private for that loop.
Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us. We only had neighbors across from us. The site was spacious , peaceful and pretty. There was a little trail from our site that went down to a marsh. That was absolutely beautiful.
We will definitely stay here again.
ScoutWe camped here one night on a pit stop and it exceeded our expectations! We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake. However, there is limited privacy between sites so hope for good neighbors :) also cell service was fine with AT&T.
GuideDon't expect to go swimming in the so called pond its all weeds and muck dear flies are killer but a little smokey fire takes care of them showers and bathrooms were always super clean id go back
ScoutWe ended up at Indian Ranch Campground after leaving another local campground under less-than-ideal circumstances… and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best accidental discoveries we’ve ever made.
From the moment we arrived, the energy here was completely different—welcoming, relaxed, and full of life. The campground is beautifully laid out with well-kept sites, plenty of trees, and easy access to Webster Lake(aka Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg—yes, really).
🎶 The concerts? Incredible. Being able to walk from our campsite to watch national music acts perform live at the Indian Ranch Amphitheater is a game-changer. It’s like a music festival that doesn’t require you to sleep in a muddy field. Huge bonus for music lovers!
🛺 Golf cart rentals make exploring the campground easy and fun, especially if you're hauling chairs, coolers, or just want to cruise around and enjoy the views.
🏊♂️ The pool is clean and inviting—perfect for relaxing after a show or just enjoying a sunny afternoon.
🌅 The lake itself is stunning, with spots to sit and watch the boats, fish, or just take in the view. The vibe is very“lake life meets concert culture,” and it works perfectly.
🍔 There’s also an on-site restaurant inside the gates with great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back patio atmosphere that completes the experience.
🤝 The people here? Fantastic. Campers were friendly, staff was helpful, and there was an overall sense of community that you just don’t get at every park. In Summary: Awesome mix of camping+ concerts Clean facilities, full hookups, and spacious sites Golf cart rentals= a must! Pool, lake, and great food on-site Walkable access to live shows= chef’s kiss🎶 We stumbled in… and didn’t want to leave If you're looking for more than just a campsite—if you want an experience—this is it. We'll be back. Probably more than once.
ScoutI wish I wasn’t writing this.
Truly. But if sharing our experience helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth it.
We booked two full weeks at Douglas Forest RV Resort, drawn in by its wooded setting and supposed family-friendly charm. The photos looked peaceful. The location sounded perfect. But within hours of arrival, we realized we had walked into something completely different.
Almost immediately, we witnessed aggressive, disturbing behavior—adults yelling and chasing children through the park. At one point, a child was literally being pursued by a vehicle. In a campground. On the roads where people walk, dogs are walked, and kids ride bikes. We were shocked. We kept expecting someone from staff to step in—but no one did. When we brought it up to another guest, they just nodded and said,“Yeah… it’s always like this.” Turns out, management is known to overlook certain behavior from“regulars.”
As we walked the grounds, we also noticed**several people clearly living out of tents—**not camping, not weekend warriors, but living there long-term. It gave the entire campground an uneasy, off-kilter feel. The line between traveler and transient is not well-maintained here, and it adds to the overall lack of safety and structure.
We were ready to leave that night, but with tight, poorly lit roads, towing out after dark just wasn’t safe. So we locked up, barely slept, and pulled out at first light. We had paid for 14 nights. We stayed one. And we didn’t ask for a refund—because honestly, we just wanted out.
And yes, we later discovered that many of the glowing reviews online were written by someone who works at the campground. That’s not just misleading—it’s reckless. Campers rely on those reviews to make informed choices.
Douglas Forest RV Resort could be something special, but it’s not. Not right now. Not while safety is ignored, accountability is non-existent, and some guests are clearly treated as untouchable. Please, do your homework before booking here.
We wish we had—just one day earlier.
GuideMixed Experience- Potential Hindered by Operational Issues
The new ownership appears committed to improvements, though the focus seems more on revenue generation than guest experience at this time.
Infrastructure Concerns: The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips. The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders.
Accommodations& Atmosphere: This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel. For those seeking a transient camping experience, this may not align with expectations.
Facilities: The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable. However, other amenities need attention- the playground equipment shows its age, and laundry facilities, while clean, have mechanical reliability issues. Currently, only one restroom facility is fully operational, with others being gradually brought online.
Accessibility: Most sites feature loose gravel surfaces that may present challenges for guests with mobility equipment. The playground uses mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility.
Management: Communication with management regarding concerns can be challenging, and families should be prepared for a more relaxed supervision environment.
Bottom Line: While the location has natural beauty and potential, current operational challenges and pricing don't align well with the amenity level provided. Those seeking a quiet, well-maintained camping experience might find better value elsewhere until improvements are completed. Positive reviews seem to be coming from investors of the campground or people with personal interest.
Camping near Rutland, Massachusetts, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
With these insights, you're all set for a great camping experience near Rutland, MA!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rutland State Park camping located?
Rutland State Park camping is located in central Massachusetts, not far from Worcester. While Rutland itself is situated in Worcester County, camping enthusiasts can find excellent options in the surrounding area. Pout and Trout is near Rutland and offers both drive-in and walk-in access. For those willing to venture a bit further, Otter River State Forest in Winchendon (north central Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border) provides a serene camping experience with clean facilities and access to swimming areas.
What facilities are available at Rutland campgrounds for tent camping?
Tent campers in the Rutland area can enjoy several well-equipped campgrounds. Wells State Park Campground in nearby Sturbridge offers excellent facilities including newly renovated bathroom and shower facilities, along with hiking trails, swimming, and fishing opportunities at Walker Pond. Willard Brook State Forest Campground features level sites around a small loop with towering pines, though cell service can be limited. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like restrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables, with access to recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Do I need reservations for camping in Rutland, MA?
Yes, reservations are generally recommended for camping in and around Rutland, MA, especially during peak summer months and weekends. Tully Lake Recreation Area requires reservations through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations, with members receiving small discounts. Similarly, Pine Acres Family Camping Resort near Oakham is reservable. Massachusetts state parks and forests typically accept reservations, which are strongly advised for summer weekends when campgrounds fill quickly. For the most reliable camping experience, book your site well in advance, particularly for holidays and prime camping season (May through October).
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