1 campground with availability this weekend
State parks and conservation areas surrounding Wendell Depot, Massachusetts offer several tent-only camping options within a 30-mile radius. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston stands out as a premier tent camping destination, managed by the Trustees of Reservations on Army Corps of Engineers land. Barton Cove Campground in Gill provides rustic tent sites with platform setups along the Connecticut River. Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham offers more primitive walk-in tent sites with basic amenities and access to hiking trails near Quabbin Reservoir.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature unpaved surfaces with minimal site development. Tully Lake operates as a carry-in campground where vehicles remain in a central parking area while wooden carts transport gear to walk-in tent sites. Campers should prepare for varying amenities - Tully Lake provides central bathhouses with flush toilets and coin-operated showers, while Federated Women's Club State Forest offers only composting toilets. Water access varies significantly between locations, with Barton Cove requiring campers to bring refillable containers as water sources are limited. Cell service throughout these primitive tent camping areas ranges from spotty to nonexistent, making offline map downloads advisable.
The walk-in tent sites at Tully Lake create a notably quiet camping experience. According to reviews, "No cars at the campsites makes for a super quiet stay," particularly beneficial for families with young children. Sites vary in privacy levels, with waterfront locations generally offering less seclusion than those set back in wooded areas. One camper noted that Tully Lake's island site provides exceptional views and solitude, though it requires advance planning as "sites fill up weeks out and can completely fill the day registration opens." Backcountry tent camping enthusiasts appreciate the 4-mile hiking loop around Tully Lake and nearby Doane's Falls, which features five cascading waterfalls accessible via a short walk from the campground.
"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."
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
from $40 / night
"The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite"
from $22 - $30 / night
"Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."
from $25 - $30 / night
from $35 - $140 / night
from $50 - $100 / night
"The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night. Very clean and comfortable."
from $50 - $100 / night
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
TravelerLove this place. We were the only ones there during a weekday visit in October. It’s incredibly peaceful with wooded sites and the lake is just gorgeous with the fall foliage. Bonus that they deliver firewood to the campsite. My only wish and I wouldn’t knock a star off because we were literally the only ones there is I wish they didn’t lock the showers. I would have loved to have a shower but the office was closed and I wasn’t able to find anyone to unlock a shower. Just be prepared and bring your dude wipes 🤣 Other than that amazing place.
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
TravelerLaundry is clean, bathrooms are clean and showers are hot. Pool, dishwashing station, sometimes quite sometimes very active. Love this place! Wish it was open year round!
TravelerGreat little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
RangerNice campground. Pull through was helpful for quick overnight stay. I like that there are some walking paths and a dog beach. We would return.
Primitive tent camping near Wendell Depot, Massachusetts focuses mainly on walk-in sites requiring gear transport from parking areas to campsites. Most locations sit within state forests and conservation land with limited amenities and intermittent cell service. Water access varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering no potable water while others provide basic water spigots near central facilities.
Paddle exploration: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to explore the extensive waterways. "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.
Waterfall viewing: Multiple cascades near tent camping areas offer accessible day trips. The waterfall formations at Doane's Falls provide photography opportunities within a short distance from campsites. One visitor mentioned, "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."
Train watching: The unique accommodations at Chester Railway Station combine camping with railroad history. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. You hear the trains running at night," shares Esther L.
Cart-based transport systems: The vehicle-free camping areas create quiet environments appreciated by tent campers. At Zoar Outdoor, "Amenities are well maintained. Could use a refresh but overall great experience will be back," reports Dominick V. The staff assistance in transporting gear is frequently mentioned as a positive.
Site privacy: Many campers value the secluded nature of campsites. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," writes Megan G. about her experience at Tully Lake.
Water proximity options: Barton Cove Campground offers platforms overlooking the Connecticut River. "The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite," reports Brie B.
Seasonal water access limitations: Campgrounds often shut off water during freezing weather. Bring containers for refilling at central spigots. "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers," advises one Barton Cove visitor.
Advance booking requirements: Popular weekends fill extremely quickly. "We visited this privately owned campground within a month of it opening. The owners were so friendly and excited to welcome campers," mentions Les R. at Maple Ridge Farm.
Campfire regulations: Fire rules vary significantly between sites. Some locations prohibit open fires completely. At Zoar Outdoor, one camper noted, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive."
Limited facilities: Composting toilets are common at smaller sites. "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field," shares a visitor to Federated Women's Club State Forest.
Optimal site selection: Request tent sites farther from common areas for earlier quiet times. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay," warns Lauren A. about holiday weekends.
Swimming alternatives: Many locations restrict swimming at boat launches but allow it from campsites. "You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water) and sites are fenced in due to how steep it is to the water," explains a visitor to Barton Cove.
Proximity to facilities: For younger children, consider distances to restrooms. "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," cautions one parent.
Natural exploration opportunities: Plan activities around each location's natural features. "The camp's minimal store sells ice cream and a (very) few sundries, so come prepared," advises Miguel B., highlighting the importance of bringing entertainment options.
No hookup limitations: Most tent camping near Wendell Depot lacks basic RV infrastructure. Tent platforms at sites like Barton Cove make traditional RV camping impossible. At locations permitting both, tent areas are typically separated from any RV section.
Generator restrictions: Nearly all conservation land prohibits generators to maintain natural quiet. "It's a bit of a hassle but worth it," notes one camper about the extra logistics required at primitive sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wendell Depot, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wendell Depot, MA is Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Wendell Depot, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Wendell Depot, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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