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Tent Camping near Shirley, MA

1 campground with availability this weekend

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    Tent camping opportunities near Shirley, Massachusetts range from walk-in sites to lakeside tent campsites at established campgrounds. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston, about 25 miles northwest of Shirley, offers a particularly notable tent-only camping experience with multiple waterfront sites. The Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham provides more rustic backcountry tent camping with minimal amenities for those seeking a more primitive experience.

    Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months. Tully Lake Recreation Area features a distinct car-free camping experience, with vehicles parked in a central lot and gear transported to sites via provided wooden carts. Sites at Tully Lake include picnic tables and fire rings, with centralized amenities like flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and dishwashing stations. The Federated Women's Club State Forest offers much more primitive tent sites with composting toilets but no running water. A camper noted that "The sites here are great, if you aren't bringing too much with you (or are staying long enough you don't mind the multiple treks to and from the car for various stretches)."

    Walk-in tent sites predominate at campgrounds in the region, creating quieter, more immersive outdoor experiences than typical drive-up camping. At Tully Lake, waterfront tent sites provide direct lake access for swimming and paddling, while more secluded sites are positioned on small rises offering both privacy and views. Site distances from parking areas vary significantly, from a few yards to approximately a mile at the farthest sites. A visitor commented that "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." Some backcountry tent sites in the area require advance reservations that can fill quickly during peak summer months, particularly for holiday weekends.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Shirley (14)

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      1. Country Barn Motel & Campground

      4.0(1)16mi from ShirleyTents

      2. Shady Point Beach & Campgrounds

      Be the first to review2mi from ShirleyTents
      Check Availability

      3. Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

      4.7(10)29mi from ShirleyTents

      "Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them."

      "Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."

      from $40 / night

      4. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area

      5.0(1)28mi from ShirleyTents
      Check Availability

      5. Cape Ann Camp Site

      4.1(17)49mi from ShirleyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful rural setting w/ open & tree shaded sites. Full, partial & no hook-up sites for rv’s & tent camping."

      "Location works well. Very narrow road coming in after 128. More for smaller RVs and tent camping. Picnic tables could be replaced."

      from $36 - $44 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Camp Nihan Education Center

      5.0(2)33mi from ShirleyTents, Cabins

      "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."

      Check Availability

      7. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

      4.0(8)41mi from Shirley16 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."

      "This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."

      Campground full this weekend

      Get a text when available

      from $8 - $55 / night

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      8. Federated Womens Club State Forest

      3.0(1)31mi from ShirleyTents
      Check Availability

      9. Lost Boys Hideout

      3.7(3)40mi from Shirley3 sitesTents

      Available this weekend

      from $49 - $149 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Buck Hill Campground

      4.0(1)40mi from ShirleyTents

      "All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."

    View all 14 campgrounds

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shirley, MA

    23 Photos of 14 Shirley Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Shirley, MA

    785 Reviews of 14 Shirley Campgrounds

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 30, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Basically a parking lot but with great views!

      I’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard. 

      No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained. 

      There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.

    • Renee R.
      Oct. 15, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Cool location!

      Hard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse!  But it's kind of a kooky campground.

      Pros:

      - Gorgeous views.

      - Cute little trails.

      - Super friendly staff.

      - The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.

      Cons:
      - It's just an odd arrangement of sites.  The RV area is a parking lot.  Some tent sites don't allow cars on them.  Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.

      - As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central.  There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.

      - As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.

    • Renee R.
      Oct. 15, 2026

      Spacious Skies Minute Man

      Probably great, if you're looking to enterain kids.

      Let me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you. 

      Pros:

      - Easy to book and accommodating staff.

      - Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).

      - Nice, tall trees. 

      Cons:

      - My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great!  It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for.  But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.

    • Jen J.
      Oct. 6, 2026

      Shir-Roy Camping Area

      Peaceful

      Love this place. We were the only ones there during a weekday visit in October. It’s incredibly peaceful with wooded sites and the lake is just gorgeous with the fall foliage. Bonus that they deliver firewood to the campsite. My only wish and I wouldn’t knock a star off because we were literally the only ones there is I wish they didn’t lock the showers. I would have loved to have a shower but the office was closed and I wasn’t able to find anyone to unlock a shower. Just be prepared and bring your dude wipes 🤣 Other than that amazing place.

    • Kyle P.
      Oct. 2, 2026

      Normandy Farms Campground

      Best Campground in the Northeast!

      I can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!

    • gary C.
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Good view

      Best part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.

      Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.

      A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.

      If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

      Lorraine Campground

      What a gem of a campground. The park staff are very helpful and friendly. The facilities: bathrooms, showers, dump station and trash receptacles are spotless. They offer nature oriented fun activities for all ages! And they even have playgrounds for the littles to play on. The sites are are mixed use, offering tent only, RV with electric, and group sites. They also have yurts that can rented, which come with a full size bed and bunk beds.

    Guide to Shirley

    Tent campsites near Shirley, Massachusetts range from primitive backcountry sites to family-friendly established campgrounds within 30 miles of town. The region sits in north-central Massachusetts where the elevation varies between 300-1200 feet, creating diverse terrain for camping and hiking. Summer temperatures typically reach 80°F during day and drop to 60°F at night, making tents comfortable with proper bedding.

    What to do

    Explore lake activities: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent kayaks and paddleboards directly from the campground. "We take 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. The lake allows fishing and exploration of multiple small islands.

    Visit nearby waterfalls: Doane's Falls is located a short walk from Tully Lake campground and features five cascading waterfalls along an ascending woodland path. "The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls," reports Nancy R. The trail is rated easy enough for children but offers impressive scenery.

    Hiking opportunities: Boston Harbor Islands State Park offers multiple islands with trails and historic exploration. "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house," shares Jess G. Many trails provide scenic views of Boston's skyline, particularly from Spectacle Island's hill.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: Cape Ann Camp Site offers secluded camping spaces with natural separation. "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," mentions Cristina P. The tent sites at Cape Ann are particularly noted for being more secluded than the RV sites, with large boulders and mature trees creating natural boundaries.

    Car-free camping experience: Several campers appreciate the vehicle-free camping at Tully Lake. "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. This policy creates a more peaceful outdoor experience without vehicle noise or traffic.

    Waterfront options: Waterfront tent sites let campers wake up with immediate lake access. "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," explains Megan G. These premium sites typically require booking well in advance due to popularity.

    What you should know

    Site selection considerations: At Federated Women's Club State Forest, camping is primitive with varying accessibility. "Some of the sites are definitely walk-in, with a narrow trail leading from the road. It's possible to park at other sites; I'm guessing the gate at the beginning of the road toward the campground is open when the campground is open," explains Jean C. High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing certain sites.

    Reservation timing: Many campgrounds in the region require advance planning. For Boston Harbor Islands, one camper advises, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings."

    Water and bathroom facilities: Bathroom access and water availability vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom," reports Doris C. Federated Women's Club State Forest has only composting toilets and requires campers to bring their own water.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shirley, MA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shirley, MA is Country Barn Motel & Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Shirley, MA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Shirley, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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