Searching for the best camping near Ware, MA? Ware is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$17 - $55 / night
"Beautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts."
"This is a great campground located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts on walker pond. Brand new bathroom/shower facility this year. Offers hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Nice and quiet also."
$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."
"Great location kids had a blast just wished they had more activities for them to do for the weekend we stay it poured everyday and they only had one craft and then an arcade to entertain them."
$45 - $65 / night
$70 - $78 / night
"Small campground on lake. lot of seasonal sites. Sites on beach are nice size."
"The manager was able to give me a great campsite away from all of the RVs and cabins. It was right at the entrance however you did have to hike up a short 50ft hill to get to the site."
"We had a great time relaxing around the campfire with another family. The playground was a hit for our kids!"
$40 - $50 / night
$28 - $58 / night
"The campground was large enough to tire out the dogs walking around, staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming!"
$70 / night
"Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."
"It’s a dog friendly park which was good for us, our dog could swim in the lake with us. Cute patio overlooking the lake as well with seating."
$25 - $150 / night
"Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."
"Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."
ScoutWe spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay. It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another. I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review. Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean. The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control. Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.
TravelerThis was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.
The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.
GuideNice quiet place for all the sites showers could be better bathrooms were clean but out dated
TravelerThis campground is pretty and offers many private site options. We didn't use the bathrooms so can't speak on that. But overall it's a clean campground.
There are two loops. 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. The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy. All of the sites are good size and the fire pits are placed well.
The other loop farther away from the entrance has a lot more lakeside sites. But there's very little privacy. The sites with higher numbers by the lake are all on top of each other with little to no trees or shrubs between sites, and you can't really decipher where one site ends and the next begins. We would not stay on that loop if we visited again. Unless it was site 101 which seemed more private for that loop.
Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. 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. We only had neighbors across from us. The site was spacious , peaceful and pretty. There was a little trail from our site that went down to a marsh. That was absolutely beautiful.
We will definitely stay here again.
ScoutWe camped here one night on a pit stop and it exceeded our expectations! We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake. However, there is limited privacy between sites so hope for good neighbors :) also cell service was fine with AT&T.
GuideDon't expect to go swimming in the so called pond its all weeds and muck dear flies are killer but a little smokey fire takes care of them showers and bathrooms were always super clean id go back
ScoutWe ended up at Indian Ranch Campground after leaving another local campground under less-than-ideal circumstances… and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best accidental discoveries we’ve ever made.
From the moment we arrived, the energy here was completely different—welcoming, relaxed, and full of life. The campground is beautifully laid out with well-kept sites, plenty of trees, and easy access to Webster Lake(aka Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg—yes, really).
🎶 The concerts? Incredible. Being able to walk from our campsite to watch national music acts perform live at the Indian Ranch Amphitheater is a game-changer. It’s like a music festival that doesn’t require you to sleep in a muddy field. Huge bonus for music lovers!
🛺 Golf cart rentals make exploring the campground easy and fun, especially if you're hauling chairs, coolers, or just want to cruise around and enjoy the views.
🏊♂️ The pool is clean and inviting—perfect for relaxing after a show or just enjoying a sunny afternoon.
🌅 The lake itself is stunning, with spots to sit and watch the boats, fish, or just take in the view. The vibe is very“lake life meets concert culture,” and it works perfectly.
🍔 There’s also an on-site restaurant inside the gates with great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back patio atmosphere that completes the experience.
🤝 The people here? Fantastic. Campers were friendly, staff was helpful, and there was an overall sense of community that you just don’t get at every park. In Summary: Awesome mix of camping+ concerts Clean facilities, full hookups, and spacious sites Golf cart rentals= a must! Pool, lake, and great food on-site Walkable access to live shows= chef’s kiss🎶 We stumbled in… and didn’t want to leave If you're looking for more than just a campsite—if you want an experience—this is it. We'll be back. Probably more than once.
ScoutI wish I wasn’t writing this.
Truly. But if sharing our experience helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth it.
We booked two full weeks at Douglas Forest RV Resort, drawn in by its wooded setting and supposed family-friendly charm. The photos looked peaceful. The location sounded perfect. But within hours of arrival, we realized we had walked into something completely different.
Almost immediately, we witnessed aggressive, disturbing behavior—adults yelling and chasing children through the park. At one point, a child was literally being pursued by a vehicle. In a campground. On the roads where people walk, dogs are walked, and kids ride bikes. We were shocked. We kept expecting someone from staff to step in—but no one did. When we brought it up to another guest, they just nodded and said,“Yeah… it’s always like this.” Turns out, management is known to overlook certain behavior from“regulars.”
As we walked the grounds, we also noticed**several people clearly living out of tents—**not camping, not weekend warriors, but living there long-term. It gave the entire campground an uneasy, off-kilter feel. The line between traveler and transient is not well-maintained here, and it adds to the overall lack of safety and structure.
We were ready to leave that night, but with tight, poorly lit roads, towing out after dark just wasn’t safe. So we locked up, barely slept, and pulled out at first light. We had paid for 14 nights. We stayed one. And we didn’t ask for a refund—because honestly, we just wanted out.
And yes, we later discovered that many of the glowing reviews online were written by someone who works at the campground. That’s not just misleading—it’s reckless. Campers rely on those reviews to make informed choices.
Douglas Forest RV Resort could be something special, but it’s not. Not right now. Not while safety is ignored, accountability is non-existent, and some guests are clearly treated as untouchable. Please, do your homework before booking here.
We wish we had—just one day earlier.
GuideMixed Experience- Potential Hindered by Operational Issues
The new ownership appears committed to improvements, though the focus seems more on revenue generation than guest experience at this time.
Infrastructure Concerns: The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips. The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders.
Accommodations& Atmosphere: This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel. For those seeking a transient camping experience, this may not align with expectations.
Facilities: The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable. However, other amenities need attention- the playground equipment shows its age, and laundry facilities, while clean, have mechanical reliability issues. Currently, only one restroom facility is fully operational, with others being gradually brought online.
Accessibility: Most sites feature loose gravel surfaces that may present challenges for guests with mobility equipment. The playground uses mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility.
Management: Communication with management regarding concerns can be challenging, and families should be prepared for a more relaxed supervision environment.
Bottom Line: While the location has natural beauty and potential, current operational challenges and pricing don't align well with the amenity level provided. Those seeking a quiet, well-maintained camping experience might find better value elsewhere until improvements are completed. Positive reviews seem to be coming from investors of the campground or people with personal interest.
Camping near Ware, Massachusetts, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From family-friendly campgrounds to serene spots for RVers, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Camping near Ware, Massachusetts, has a lot to offer, whether you're looking for family fun or a peaceful getaway. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season to camp in the Ware River Valley?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) is the ideal camping season in the Ware River Valley region. Summer offers warm weather perfect for water activities, while Wells State Park Campground shines in late spring and early fall with its extensive, well-marked trail system and comfortable temperatures for hiking. The park's location on Walker Pond provides excellent swimming in summer months. Fall brings spectacular foliage views, especially at Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground in the beautiful Berkshires. Many campgrounds in the region close for winter, so check availability if planning an off-season visit.
What amenities are available at Ware River Valley campgrounds?
Campgrounds in the Ware River Valley region offer diverse amenities to enhance your camping experience. Otter River State Forest features clean facilities, swimming in a pond, hiking trails, and is family-friendly. The campground maintains well-kept sites, though they tend to be somewhat small. For more upscale options, Pine Acres Family Camping Resort near Oakham provides reservable sites with water hookups, toilets, and accommodations for big rigs. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like restrooms and potable water, while some include showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to recreational activities like fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Where can I find campgrounds in the Ware River Valley?
The Ware River Valley region in north-central Massachusetts offers several excellent camping options. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston (near the NH border) offers prime waterfront sites with canoe/kayak access. Reservations are managed through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. Willard Brook State Forest Campground provides level sites around a small loop with towering pines, located just up the hill from Damon Pond. Other nearby options include Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts near Barre, Lake Dennison Recreation Area, and several private campgrounds scattered throughout the region that offer varying levels of amenities and services.
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