Tent camping near Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts puts visitors within reach of the Mohawk Trail region, an area known for its dense forests and elevation ranges from 400-1700 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm summers around 75-80°F and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season. Most campgrounds in this region offer varying levels of privacy between sites and access to water activities on nearby rivers and lakes.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the lake's islands. "We took our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes Ben P. about Tully Lake Recreation Area.
Whitewater activities: Located near the Deerfield River, Zoar Outdoor connects campers with guided rafting and tubing experiences. According to Dominick V., "Overall had a wonderful experience at zoar campsite in charlemont ma. Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting."
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking opportunities, including trails near the Quabbin Reservoir. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "If you continue past site 15, you'll head through Gate 36 out toward Soapstone Hill which offers a great view of Quabbin Reservoir and sunsets," reports Jean C.
Waterfall viewing: Several campgrounds provide access to waterfall trails, with Doane's Falls being particularly accessible. Nancy R. describes it as "an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The best tent camping near Shelburne Falls offers varying degrees of seclusion. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, Megan G. shares, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out."
Car-free camping environment: Many campers appreciate the walk-in nature of several campgrounds. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," notes Megan G. about Tully Lake.
Unique camping experiences: The region offers non-traditional camping options. At Chester Railway Station, Esther L. reports, "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too."
Access to water recreation: Many campsites in the area are situated near lakes or rivers. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," explains Seth K. about Zoar Outdoor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds book quickly. For Barton Cove Campground, Brie B. notes, "The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite."
Limited facilities at rustic sites: Some campgrounds have minimal amenities. Jean C. shares about Federated Womens Club State Forest: "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. Barton Cove Campground runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, while other sites have weather-dependent seasons.
Cell phone limitations: Limited connectivity is common throughout the region. Jean C. reports, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Fire restrictions vary: Not all campgrounds allow fires. Seth K. mentions about Zoar Outdoor: "They don't allow fired at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive."
Tips for camping with families
Cart availability for gear transport: When tent camping near Shelburne Falls with kids, wheeled transport helps at walk-in sites. "Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site," explains Nancy R. about Tully Lake, adding "This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites."
Consider site distance from facilities: With small children, bathroom proximity matters. Lauren A. shares about her Tully Lake experience: "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night. Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site and neighboring campers."
Visit during weekdays: Weekends and holidays can be busier and noisier. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay," notes Lauren A.
Water safety considerations: Maple Ridge Farm offers a more controlled environment for families. Les R. describes, "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping near Shelburne Falls focuses on tent camping, with few RV-friendly sites. Consider state parks further afield for RV accommodations.
Parking limitations: Even campgrounds that accommodate vehicles have restrictions. At Tully Lake, Jean C. explains, "There's a canoe/kayak launch near the campground, so if you have a waterfront site you may choose to paddle your gear over. Some of the sites do not have waterfront access, however, and you'll definitely want to take advantage of the carts provided."
Accessibility challenges: Road conditions vary significantly. "It's a long curvy road that ends with a small parking lot at a T junction," notes Jean C. about Federated Womens Club State Forest, adding "If so, high clearance vehicle is definitely preferred."
