Best Tent Camping near Sunderland, MA
State parks and public lands surrounding Sunderland, Massachusetts offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston provides walk-in tent campsites managed by the Trustees of Reservations, with some sites offering direct lake access. Barton Cove Campground in Gill, just 15 minutes north of Sunderland, features tent platforms overlooking the Connecticut River. Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham offers more primitive tent camping with walk-in access and minimal facilities. These established tent campgrounds range from developed sites with central facilities to more secluded backcountry options.
Most tent campsites in the region require some planning and physical effort to access. At Tully Lake, campers park at a central lot and use provided carts to transport gear to their sites, which can be anywhere from 50 yards to a mile from parking. Barton Cove features a complex gate system that limits vehicle access, creating a quieter tent camping experience. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with central bathroom facilities that may be a considerable walk from some campsites. Composting toilets are common at more primitive locations like Federated Women's Club State Forest, where campers must bring their own water. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most tent campgrounds in the area.
The walk-in nature of these tent-only sites creates a distinctive camping experience. According to reviews, Tully Lake's island site offers exceptional privacy and views, though it requires advance planning as "sites fill up weeks out and can completely fill the day registration opens." One camper at Barton Cove noted that despite the "hassle" of the gate system, "it was very quiet and private with only one other occupied campsite." Summer weekends tend to be busier, particularly at Tully Lake where waterfront tent sites are highly sought after. Many tent campsites provide access to hiking trails, swimming, and paddling opportunities, with Tully Lake offering canoe and kayak rentals directly from the campground.