Otter River State Forest and Willard Brook State Forest offer year-round and seasonal yurt camping near Sterling, Massachusetts, about 30-40 minutes from the town. The area sits at approximately 600-800 feet elevation in north-central Massachusetts, with dense pine forests and multiple water features. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 20s, while summer highs average in the 80s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking at Wells State Park: Access multiple trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "There are plenty of hiking trails that we have yet to explore, but from the trail heads they look very well maintained," notes one visitor to West Thompson Lake Campground.
Disc golf courses: Play through wooded fairways at several locations. "There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course," shares a camper who visited West Thompson Lake.
Fishing opportunities: Cast in local ponds with seasonal catch options. The Pines Campground offers a different water experience as "some sites have nice sound of river right behind the sites," according to one reviewer.
Swimming alternatives: Find water recreation beyond the main beaches. At The Pine Campground, "We enjoyed our stay and will be back," mentions a visitor who appreciated that "they have a pool that we enjoyed on a few of the hot days."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Sites vary significantly in seclusion. "Site 3 is a great site. Large and separated enough from others," reports a visitor to Willard Brook State Forest Campground.
Forest immersion: Dense pine surroundings create natural shade. A guest at Otter River State Forest shared, "I loved this little campground, it was relaxing, beautiful, and had enough to keep us busy!"
Bathroom facilities: Newer facilities at certain locations. "The new bathrooms are great!" reports a camper about Wells State Park Campground, while another points out that "brand new bathroom/shower facility this year" was a highlight.
Off-season tranquility: Significantly fewer crowds during shoulder seasons. "We were there in summer of 2020. The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground," explains an Otter River visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies by provider and location. At Sutton Falls Camping Area, "Only problem was the cell signal. My wife works remotely and needs to be connected. Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint."
Site size constraints: Some locations cannot accommodate larger RVs. "Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units," explains a reviewer about Willard Brook State Forest.
Seasonal access restrictions: Several campgrounds have limited operating windows. "We were pleasantly surprised to find this campground local to us. The staff is very friendly and willing to assist. Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream," notes a camper at The Pines Campground, which operates year-round.
Gate closure times: Entry points may close early at certain locations. "Large campsites, Nice basketball court, Decent bathrooms for a state campground, only complain is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm," warns a visitor to West Thompson Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Seek out campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At The Pine Campground, "The staff is very friendly and willing to assist. Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream. Playground was a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun."
Swimming options: Not all water features permit swimming. At West Thompson Lake Campground, "The lake is pretty but you cannot swim or eat the fish. There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course."
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. At Wells State Park, "Site 2, right nearby, is a great spot. Fairly large and literally feet away from the beach," shares a visitor who appreciated the convenience for families.
Alternative activities: Plan for non-water recreation when swimming isn't available. "We had an excellent experience at this camp ground. The Staff and Rangers were polite and welcoming. We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property," reports a West Thompson Lake camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electrical service differs between campgrounds. "The yurt does offer electricity, but there are no hookups nor a dump station at the campground," notes a camper at Willard Brook State Forest.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at certain locations. A visitor to Wells State Park Campground reported: "We booked site #39 online, based on proximity to bath house. No pictures of individual campsites on the ReserveAmerica booking site, so we were kind of winging it. We unexpectedly arrived at the campground around 10pm, after a long and grueling day on the road. The site seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway."
Site selection recommendations: Several reviewers recommend specific sites for larger rigs. "I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area. Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines," suggests a Willard Brook visitor.
