State parks and forests surrounding Tully Lake in north-central Massachusetts provide a range of camping experiences within the wooded New England landscape. Tully Lake Recreation Area, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and operated by the Trustees of Reservations, offers a distinctive car-free camping environment where visitors use provided wooden wheelbarrows to transport gear to their sites. Nearby Lake Dennison Recreation Area and Otter River State Forest provide more traditional drive-up camping options with varying levels of amenities. The region includes both waterfront sites with direct lake access and more secluded forest settings, with most campgrounds operating seasonally from May through October. Massachusetts state parks in this area typically accommodate tent camping primarily, though some sites can handle small to medium-sized RVs.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Tully Lake area, with waterfront sites booking quickly during peak summer months. Massachusetts state parks charge significantly higher fees for out-of-state visitors, sometimes triple the resident rate. Cell phone coverage is notably limited throughout the region, with many campers reporting "spotty to non-existent" service at Tully Lake and surrounding campgrounds. As one visitor noted, "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want before you arrive." Weather can change rapidly, with campers reporting occasional heavy rainfall that can affect site conditions. The terrain is generally wooded with moderate elevation changes, making some sites challenging to access with larger equipment.
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Tully Lake where some campsites offer direct water access. "Sites closer to the water were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," reported one camper. The car-free environment at Tully Lake creates a notably quiet atmosphere appreciated by families with young children. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with Doane's Falls near Tully Lake being a frequently mentioned highlight. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with most offering basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Bathroom facilities are typically centralized, sometimes requiring long walks from distant campsites. Wildlife sightings are common, with birds, beavers, and other small mammals frequently observed by campers exploring the lakes and surrounding forests.
$17 - $55 / night
"Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts."
"I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts"
$17 - $35 / night
"As a caveat, waterfront in this instance was more of a water view as the lake was on the other side of the campground road and a large open area with trees."
"The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."
$40 / night
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"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."
$29 - $45 / night
"Campsites are well shaded but if you have an RV take the time to rent an RV site otherwise backing in will put you in and awkward position as the mixed use “standard” sites are oriented towards tent camping"
"The campsite is big and away from another site. You can easilly access to hiking trails. The staff there are friendly and helpful. It's definitely a plus."
$47 - $70 / night
"We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river. Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful."
"Large, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests given the pandemic right now."
$42 - $65 / night
"Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart."
"the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake"
$17 / night
"Friends told me about this little gem in north central Massachusetts, not far from Rt 2. The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. "
"Situated by a beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails. "
$34 - $47 / night
"Good bathroom ,nice people, great lake."
$70 - $115 / night
"Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you’ll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground."
"Although the tent sites are a distance from anything, the main areas of the campground are fantastic. With a full calendar of events (some free, some cost $) you will never be bored."
"There are 3 nice and short trails, 2 with a great view and the other that is quite steep down to a swimming hole."
"We had site 30, which looked to be one of the best sites available (and the lean-tos next to site 30 also looked great). Most sites on this side of the loop were private, forested, and spacious."
TravelerI selected a semi shaded site about 25 feet off the road about 2 miles in. There are many sites but you may have to look as a lot are overgrown. I am glad I selected the site I did as it stayed “dry” through 48 hrs of torrential downpours. I had very few problems with the bugs: have a nice smoky fire…best repellant out there!
TravelerI have to say one of the best campgrounds in New England. All of the bathrooms, showers, site and other places were all clean and well cared for. We had a nice site by the pond. It was peaceful while still being busy withe plenty of kids. They have hundreds of sites, mostly seasonal but gives you nice walk to see the place. The pools were really nice and again clean. They have a snack shack with breakfast, lunch and dinner. A well stocked store with very nice staff. It was our second stay and will not be our last.
The only thing that wasn't great was the WIFI and cell service isn't great.
TravelerThis is one of the nicest state campgrounds I've ever been in. Typical state campground, they often no services at this sites. They do have a dump station and potable well water, and trash disposal. The public restrooms are nice. Token operated showers are nice too. Very quiet campground, some road noise during the day but not at night!. Sites around the open field offer good solar and open sky for Starlink.
ScoutExtremely well maintained and managed. We plan to return many more times this year.
ScoutMy family has camped here for three years and we love it. We rent a canoe and paddle all the way down to the furthest campsites. The ability to hike to your spot or canoe makes it a blast, and it is a nice stepping stone to full backpacking if you ever want to get there.
For the past two seasons there was a Loon on the which is always a plus.
The toilets are great and fresh water is available from a well were you park. One of the greatest spots we have found.
ScoutIt was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
TravelerWe had a great time during our stay on Labor Day Weekend. Even on the busier side, it was still quiet and our site was fairly private. Right on a stream and a short walk to the bathrooms and hiking trails. We drove a few minutes up the road to Lake Dennison to kayak and fish.
ScoutClean campground, lots of sites. Lots of activities for the family. No pool, but clean showers. Quiet.. but I was here when it was pretty empty. Close to highways.
TravelerSo peaceful and serene
Tully Lake campsites attract many outdoor enthusiasts from spring through fall. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations between 800-1,100 feet throughout the campgrounds surrounding this north-central Massachusetts destination. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with cooler nights in spring and fall that often dip into the 40s, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
Paddling adventures: Tully Lake offers excellent flat-water kayaking and canoeing opportunities. At Ashuelot River Campground, "We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground... We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other" while another visitor notes seeing "a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground."
Disc golf course: Located near the Tully Lake dam, this recreational option provides an alternative activity when you need a break from water sports. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," reports one Tully Lake camper who explored the area.
Hiking trails: Several trail networks connect camping areas to natural features. Gilson Pond Area Campground offers more challenging terrain with "a healthy 3,600 foot peak, or gentle, shorter pond walks—everyone happy!" Mount Monadnock provides "365-degree views of the surrounding valley and distant mountains" for those willing to make the climb.
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-separated sites. At Lake Dennison Recreation Area, "The sites on the North side are spacious & quiet. The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road." Another camper reports, "We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us."
Car-free camping experience: Tully Lake Recreation Area provides a unique no-vehicle camping environment. "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," explains one visitor. The campground supplies wooden wheelbarrows to transport gear to campsites.
Waterfront access: Sites with direct water access rank highly with campers. "Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night," notes a visitor to Ashuelot River Campground. At Lake Dennison, "The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. At Otter River State Forest, "Verizon cell service was pretty good," but most other campgrounds report limited service. One visitor to Tully Lake warns, "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want before you arrive."
Seasonal weather considerations: The region experiences significant weather variations. Spring camping often means dealing with mud and higher water levels. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago... Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," reports one Tully Lake camper.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Sites at Gilson Pond "fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April), so you have to be on your game."
Swimming options: Multiple lakes and ponds offer swimming opportunities. Erving State Forest Campground features a "beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails" with "swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both)."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds maintain stricter quiet hours than others. "Quiet time is quiet time which is great for families," notes a camper at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, while others report variable enforcement depending on the campground.
Playground amenities: Several locations provide dedicated play areas. At Gilson Pond, "There's a decent bathhouse with pay showers, a small playground, and a loop trail around Gilson Pond that leads right from the campground." Fort Dummer State Park has "a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs comfortably. At Woodmore Family Campground, "Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find." This contrasts with Lake Dennison where "sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake."
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by campground. At Ashuelot River, campers reported staying "in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park." Many state parks offer more limited hookups, if any.
Bridge restrictions: Some RVers note important cautions about local bridges. At Ashuelot River Campground, visitors are "highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross—we discovered this the hard way."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Tully Lake Campground?
Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake offers primitive, car-free camping with sites accessible by walking or paddling in. Amenities include clean restrooms, drinking water, and a canoe/kayak launch area near the campground. The sites are spacious and well-maintained, with many offering waterfront views. This state-managed campground requires reservations through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations, and Trustees membership provides a small discount. There are no electrical hookups or shower facilities, making it ideal for tent campers seeking a more natural experience.
What recreational activities are available at Tully Lake Recreation Area?
Tully Lake Recreation Area offers abundant water-based activities including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing from the convenient boat launch near the campground. Waterfront sites provide easy water access for paddlers. Hiking is popular with trail networks in the surrounding area. For families seeking alternatives, nearby Otter River State Forest offers swimming in a pond, and Willard Brook State Forest Campground provides access to Damon Pond. Both locations are in the scenic north-central Massachusetts region, making them great options for day trips while staying at Tully Lake.
How do Tully Lake Campground reviews compare to other Massachusetts lake camping options?
Tully Lake Campground consistently receives high marks for its privacy, spacious sites, and peaceful atmosphere. Compared to other options, Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground offers waterfront views at affordable rates ($17/night) but with less privacy. Wells State Park Campground is praised for its excellent hiking trails and central location near Sturbridge on Walker Pond with updated bathroom facilities. What sets Tully Lake apart is its car-free policy creating an exceptionally quiet experience, extremely private sites (especially site #1), and paddling opportunities directly from waterfront sites.
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