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Best Tent Camping near Templeton, MA

582 Reviews

Tent camping near Templeton, Massachusetts provides access to several rustic, tent-only campgrounds within a short drive. Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston stands out as a premier tent camping destination, offering walk-in tent sites managed by the Trustees of Reservations on Army Corps of Engineers land. Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, approximately 10 miles south of Templeton, provides more primitive tent camping options with basic amenities. Both locations offer tent campers a genuine woodland experience without the noise and disturbance of RVs or cabins.

Most tent campgrounds in the Templeton area feature walk-in access rather than drive-up sites. At Tully Lake, campers park at a central lot and use provided carts to transport gear to their sites, which range from a few yards to nearly a mile from parking. Each tent site typically includes a fire ring and picnic table. Firewood must be purchased on-site at Tully Lake to prevent the spread of invasive species. Bathroom facilities vary by location - Tully Lake offers a central bathhouse with flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and dishwashing stations, while Federated Women's Club State Forest provides only composting toilets. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most locations, so downloading offline maps before arrival is recommended.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Templeton features waterfront opportunities and woodland seclusion. Tully Lake's tent sites offer varying levels of privacy, with some directly on the water and others set back in the forest. One camper noted, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water were less private, but still peaceful and spread out." Another visitor highlighted the unique island site at Tully Lake: "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods." Reservations for prime tent sites fill quickly, especially for holiday weekends, so booking well in advance is essential for securing the best primitive tent camping locations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Templeton, Massachusetts (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Templeton, MA

37 Photos of 17 Templeton Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Templeton, MA

582 Reviews of 17 Templeton Campgrounds

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. 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. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

  • Jessica N.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Great Park, big sites

    Stayed for a weekend (1 night). Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud. Very respectful drivers made biking feel fun and safe for kids. Campers beach was lovely. Sure the water was a little weedy, but we didn’t mind. The lake is a great spot for kayaking (although it is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot with a heavy boat) and the sunset on the lake definitely didn’t disappoint. Nice partially shaded and level site with good access for backing in our small trailer. Playground, camp store, convenient check-in at office, firewood available for $6, lots of trails and fairly level for easy biking. State park camping (no hookups) but there’s a dump station near the exit and water spigots dispersed around the campsites. Absolutely would go again.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Quiet, secluded & nestled in the woods

    We stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!

  • D
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Otter River State Forest

    Some sites are hit or miss with privacy

    My site (number 1) was good for not being on top of my neighbor but it was next to the tanger station. Some sites are pretty out in the open, close to the campsite road so they feel less like the woods. I would say the best site that feels most like you are in the woods and have the most space is 28. I would book there. The pond is kind of deceiving. There are 2 roped off spots where you can swim and those spots are small and not deep.  You cannot have floats. So its better for a quick dip than a hang out. Bathrooms are fine. Could use one more as its a hike in the morning when you really have to go(!) depending on your site. One thing with my site (1), it was listed as a shaded site but it absolutely was not a shade site. During mid day there is no shade at all. In the morning, as the sun rose (when I took the pics) there was some shade but thats because the sun was still rising. It was big enough to fit a 10 and 12 person tent with a canopy. Not all sites are that big but this one worked. Verizon service was limited to none depending on location, ATT was good

Guide to Templeton

Tent camping near Templeton, Massachusetts sits in the north-central region of the state at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, characterized by dense woodlands and numerous waterways. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from late May through September due to New England's cold winters. The region's summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, making sleeping bags rated for cooler temperatures advisable even in summer.

What to do

Waterfront paddling opportunities: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards directly at 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 camper Ben P.

Local hiking trails: Several moderate trails wind through the region, including the 4-mile loop around Tully Lake. "From the main entrance, collect a cart, load your gear, and following the appropriate divergent path from the parking lot or bath house (they are color coded)," explains Jean C., who adds that "The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area."

White water rafting: For those seeking more adventure, Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont (about 40 miles west) offers guided rafting trips. According to Reilly L., "This place is great. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful and kind. They really seem to care about what they do, and it shows."

What campers like

Natural swimming spots: Many campers appreciate the swimming opportunities at Tully Lake. "There's no formal swimming area and you can't swim at the boat launches, but you are able to swim from your campsites if you so desire," explains Jean C., highlighting a feature many visitors enjoy.

Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings around Templeton provide habitat for various wildlife. At Lost Boys Hideout (across the NH border), campers note the natural setting. "Simplicity at its best," says Steve K., who also mentioned recent upgrades: "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"

Rustic camping experience: The tent camping sites near Templeton typically offer a more primitive experience. At Federated Womens Club State Forest in Petersham, Jean C. notes: "It's very hard to find information about this campground... 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."

What you should know

Cart system for gear transportation: Many campgrounds in the area use a cart system rather than allowing vehicles at sites. At Barton Cove Campground, Brie B. explains the process: "You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key, drive back to campground, walk to your site."

Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the Templeton region have poor to non-existent cell coverage. Jean C. advises: "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here. If you're into geocaching, download those, too."

Water availability considerations: While some campgrounds provide water sources, they're often centralized. Brie B. notes about Barton Cove: "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers."

Tips for camping with families

Consider site distance from facilities: When tent camping with children near Templeton, bathroom distance matters. At Tully Lake, Lauren A. cautions: "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."

Pack appropriate bug protection: The wooded areas around Templeton can get buggy, especially in early summer. A Tully Lake camper mentioned: "Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that's all I got for now :)"

Seek out family-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer specific amenities for families. Miguel B. notes about Tully Lake Recreation Area: "You can hike and bike (mtb). Nearby there are waterfalls (gorgeous) and a local mountain (I've not been there—yet). The staff is friendly and know the locale, they were able to give us tips on good hikes."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most campgrounds near Templeton cater specifically to tent campers, with few accommodating RVs. Many use walk-in or carry-in systems incompatible with RV camping. The majority of tent-only campgrounds like Tully Lake specifically prohibit RVs to maintain the rustic atmosphere.

Consider alternate accommodations: For those preferring not to tent camp, some sites offer alternative options. Zoar Outdoor provides "tent, cabin, glamping, yurt" accommodations according to their listing, making it a potential option for those wanting more comfort than traditional tent camping near Templeton.

Fire restrictions vary: Some campgrounds don't permit fires at individual sites. Seth K. notes about Zoar Outdoor: "They don't allow fired at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Templeton, MA is Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Templeton, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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