Best Tent Camping near Shelburne Falls, MA
Tent campsites around Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and access types. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offers tent-specific sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Zoar Outdoor provides tent camping with access to water activities on the Deerfield River. Barton Cove Campground in Gill features tent platforms overlooking the water, operating seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require campers to walk to their sites rather than park directly at them. Tully Lake is a carry-in campground where visitors park at the entrance and use provided wooden wheelbarrows to transport gear to their sites. According to one visitor, "You park and walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them." Sites typically include a picnic table and fire ring, with central bathhouses offering flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Barton Cove features tent platforms, grills, fire pits, and picnic tables, with clean porta-potties and latrines available.
"The campsites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping," noted one camper about Tully Lake. Many tent sites in the area offer privacy and natural settings, with some providing waterfront access for swimming and paddling. Tully Lake has canoe and kayak rentals available, allowing campers to explore the lake's islands and shoreline. Tent campers should note that cell service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds. Federated Womens Club State Forest offers more rustic walk-in tent sites with composting toilets but requires visitors to bring their own water. Seth Warner Shelter provides primitive tent camping along the Long Trail with a fire pit and space for 6-7 people, ideal for hikers seeking backcountry camping experiences.