Looking to go glamping near Wendell and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Find all the best glamping sites for your Wendell, Massachusetts camping adventure with The Dyrt. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Wendell adventure.
NATURAL FEATURES Otter River State Forest was the first area acquired by the State Forest Commission in 1915 and also the first campground in the Massachusetts State Park system. Some of the forest area was cleared in the nineteenth century for small farms. After the state acquired the land, it was reforested with groves of pines which were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. The forest of oak and hickory, northern hardwood and pines is home to numerous wild flowers and shrubs, deer, chipmunks and many species of birds. RECREATION Otter River State Forest is a popular camping and day-use facility in a beautiful area of north central Massachusetts. Its developed facilities are centered on Beaman Pond and include ball field, basketball court, volleyball court and picnic areas. Many recreation opportunities are available and include a fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and picnicking. Use the park's hiking trails or try mountain biking on the 9000 acres of the adjacent Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area. FACILITIES Otter River offers 73 campsites, three group sites, and four yurts. Comfort stations are located throughout the campground and offer hot showers and flush toilets. One comfort station is accessible, shown on the map. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. Yurts are canvas sided, cabin-like structures that can accommodate 4 to 6 people. Yurts offer bunk beds, tables with benches, and access to water and electricity. All of the yurts are accessible. (Linens and eating utensils are not provided.) NOTE: Electrical service is not sufficiently reliable for use with medical equipment. Pets are prohibited from yurts and yurt sites.
$17 - $54 / night
$47 - $70 / night
$34 - $47 / night
ocated in Ashby Massachusetts, and set in the heart of New England. The Pines offers a beautiful countryside setting, where you can enjoy the quiet rustic atmosphere. Our large wooded sites, filled with trees and wildlife, provides just the right amount of privacy to enjoy the tranquil and serene outdoors; a return to nature.
At The Pines Campground, we know that there is a fine line between the perfect amount of relaxation and slipping into boredom. We’ve worked hard to ensure your needs are met with our modern yet rustic amenities and facilities we provide. With picnic tables, firewood and ice available, your dining needs will be perfectly met!
Our camp store and office will be happy to assist you with anything you need, from directions for a nature walk to the replacement of a few forgotten supplies. (Oh don’t forget the s’mores!)
Traveler
Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country. That being said, it's more rewarding when you find a little gem like Wilderness Lake Campground.
While this is about 60% RVs, the tent sites are great. The host gave us a secluded spot in the back to the point I didn't feel like I was at a campground other than the fire ring. We didn't need bathrooms, water or electricity, but there was a bathroom within walking distance. It also looked like they were building a little outbuilding for Women and Men's bathrooms near the tent sites.
The lake was quiet and we saw kids swimming in it in the morning. There was a hiking trail on the property and the host mentioned they were building a Disc Golf course on the property. Whether you have an RV, want to Car Glamp or looking to feel deep in the woods, this place checks all the boxes. It's also conveniently located off I-84(exit 70).
Traveler
For some, the strange people who haunt certain grounds are a plus. For the rest of us, they are just a regular feature of the land west of the great Massassippi River. Anyway, being some of the first people to hit a campground like this one early in the season certainly has it’s benefits. For one, the bathrooms are cleeean as hail, and this place is really well-appointed. Pooping in relative comfort basically makes this glamping. They even have a big ole nice sink to wash your dirty dishes (and whatever other unmentionables, if you nasty), clean water spigots, RV sites with hookups, plenty of wood for sale, forage, or barter, and flat campgrounds with concrete fire pits with built in grill grates and wooden picnic tables. All amenities are within close walking distance, which is also a plus. The trails in October Mountain State Forest are very pretty, with some grand vistas to pull over if you’re some sort of nature pervert or lookie loo. Good fishin’ and mushroom hunting and other things white folks like to do in these parts, too.
Now let’s get to the cons:
bugs- this place, at the end of May is positively swarming with mosquitoes and gnats, even in the 2 rainy and cold-ass nights we spent there, the flies were everpresent. It’s Hitchcockian; and I don’t want to make any accusations or cast aspersions, but these insects are prejudiced, at best.
massholes- these are a given. I’m one so I know.
rangers- because this is a state park, you will have ranger patrols consisting of, um, rangers, some of whom might be more interested in what’s in your coozie than others, because, you know, rules. That said, we had no enforcement issues, but then again the camp ground was empty. Otherwise, unless you’ve got one of the few yurts onthe property, the campsites aren’t far enough apart that you ever really feel secluded. They’re not too bad, though, plenty of room.
This place, overall, is a good time if it’s not below 60 and wet.
GuideBeautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October (no dogs allowed in the yurts☹️. There are several tent sits available. Dogs are welcomed here! Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table.Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!
Legend
This small state forest campground in north/central Massachusetts is just up the hill from Damon Pond. I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area.
Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units. They are level and there's not a lot of brush between sites, so not much privacy either. I liked site 3 for a bit more privacy ; it's also one of the 3 sites designated for an RV. Site 11 is larger and can accommodate a larger unit.
There is a large yurt suitable for 10 people. The yurt does offer electricity, but there are no hookups nor a dump station at the campground. There are flush toilets, but no showers. The small bathroom was under renovation autumn 2020. There is a dishwashing sink.
There are hiking trails in the area and, of course, swimming at the small pond. A nearby roadside waterfall offers another picnic area opportunity. For a longer hike, you can hike to and from Pearl Lake State Park. Fishing, mountain biking, and geocaching are other activities available. There's a parking lot closer to the beach or it's an easy walk from the campground.
If you are from out of state, check fees carefully. In 2020 MA increased fees significantly in light of the pandemic. Prices are steep for what you get if you are out of state.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful! Highly recommend renting a yurt while staying at October Mnt. Clean and super comfortable
RangerThe campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts. Each level has a bath house (3 toilet stalls and 1 shower in the lower level; it was run-down but clean enough). Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore. You’ll see many vehicles drive-by with boats or ATVs in tow as the state forest also has areas suitable for their use. Accessible from the campground are a few hiking trails. Monument Mountain is a popular hiking spot about 20 minutes away and Bash Bish Falls State Park is about 45 minutes away. Note: Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks.
Scout
Stayed on an rv site for 1 week this past summer. Had a great time, kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing.
Saw they have 2 yurts for rent as well.
Staff was incredibly freindly and gave us restaurant recommendations around the area.
About 5 min from great hiking at purgatory chasm.
TravelerWe stayed when there weren't very many other campers. Site 3 is a great site. Large and seperated enough from others. the water didn't taste too good. the bathrooms were clean. we stayed from thursday thru tuesday and the police drove through at least once a day that i noticed. not that they needed to. we are going back in aug and renting the yurt that they have there and bringing the whole family. its located not too far from the NH line and not too far from fitchburg
Legend
This is a smaller campground with a few loops of campsites. The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller and most of them are designated for tents only or tents/popups. Site 33 is large and level, suitable for an RV, but Group B site is right behind it, which may or may not be an issue. Group A & C sites are also in the first two loops.
65, 67, 68 are walk-in sites, with the tent area lower, closer to the water. At the top of the hill, there are several yurts available.
Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison .
RangerI found some more pictures from my camping trip here, and I wanted to share them. I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts
Scout
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. Highly recommend
TravelerThis campground is clean and well kept. Lots of families here. 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.
GuideIt cost me $52 because I am not a Massachusetts resident, per night. I got site number one you can hear the hum of the electric station. The Ranger said he doesn’t even notice it anymore. The trails are pretty it’s Labor Day weekend I’m lucky to have a spot. Would not recommend it.
LegendI tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts.
The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside.
I did see the electrical station at the entrance but the sound didn’t reach where I was staying at site 33. To avoid that sound, I would suggest sites further up the road.
The sites offered medium privacy. Site 33 was built into a slope in the hill, so it required walking up a short set of stairs, but the tent site was level.
I didn’t explore the hiking trails but it seems very convenient that you could leave into the trails right from the campground.
For any fly fishing folks, this campground is very close to the Housatonic (catch and release only!)
Legend
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. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy. There's a separate boat launch at the far end of the road from the beach.
There are only 27 sites, but in 2020 many of the ones served by composting toilets are closed. You need reservations in advance. Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters.
Campsites are laid out in a linear fashion along a one-way road that leaves from the parking area. It's a bit of an uphill hike from the beach to the campsites. Sites are large, wooded, generally level. It was quiet with a lot of families. I took site pictures, but for the closed sites, the numbers were not posted.
Download your maps for offline use! Cell connection was horrible heading up here.
ScoutBeautiful campground in a nice central location nearby several nice towns in Central Massachusetts. The hiking is some of the best I have seen from a campground in the area, with a huge system of trails which are all very well marked. These trails vary greatly in terms of difficulty, a few of the trails are doable in less than 15 minutes if you maintain a quick pace. The harder trails, including the one going up to Carpenter's Rocks are more strenuous and feature a good amount of elevation gain, rocky terrain, and very worthwhile views for the trouble.
Not usually too busy on the trails, though expect hordes of people at the parking lot especially during the warmer months. Firewood is easily available, if a bit pricey, and the tent sites are generously sized with plenty of room for multiple shelters. Have spotted beavers deep into some of the water-adjacent trails, as well as many species of birds.
Definitely give this one a try if you're in the area. Rental fees for the tent sites are very reasonable, and it's worthwhile to come for the trails and views alone.
LegendGeneral Notes:
After a long day we did a virtual version of throwing a dart at map to head out and do an overnight camping trip. Our dart landed on Erving and we literally had never heard of it … so we were … skeptical. However, we were absolutely delighted by this great spot in the beautiful Erving State Forest.
Pros / Cons:
This is a very small campground with only 27 sites and only 13 sites open during the 2020 / Covid Season.
Situated by a beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails.
Although you have good privacy to your left and right - you are not far from your camping neighbors across the way … and we quickly learned the names of their small children as parents yelled their names almost constantly.
There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine … but wished we knew ahead of time.
All pros outweigh the cons. We'll definitely be returning to this small hidden gem which is also situated by a lovely lake and has fantastic hiking trails.
ScoutWe grew up going to Laurel Lake and camping out there. It’s a great place to tent camp and a very relax quiet place to spend a long weekend.
Scout
Love it. Good bathroom ,nice people, great lake.
TravelerI stayed here in the summer of 2020. The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground. If you drive they have a great breakfast place about two miles from the camp ground. I would go again for people who want to be outside, but don’t want to rough it to much.
FYI Verizon cell service was pretty good
ScoutVery peaceful! Little hidden gem! We loved our weekend away
ScoutSo clean, quiet, friendly staff, great trails and lots of exploring and lounging by the fire
ScoutStayed here a few times summer of 2021. Like the title states, if you are looking to get away and unwind this is a great place to do it in. Ample trails and the great river running through the area. Would go back again.
GuideMy 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
TravelerWith the exception of a handful of the sites at this campground (mainly, the ones on the pond that go exceptionally quickly), the sites are too small, too close together, and there are a ton of kids. From my site, I could hear our neighbors blasting their radio all day (even after quiet hours), and another group of people somewhere further away singing pretty much all night.
The pluses are it's relatively close to Boston and Worcester if you need a day or two away (and can book one of the quieter sites), the bathrooms and showers are clean (and free), and the rangers are exceptionally friendly.
ScoutI went with a group of 4 in mid-July. The campground was clean and well-maintained but the sites are quite small and close together. There were a ton of kids and it was pretty noisy until about 11pm and then starting again around 7am.
The hiking in the area isn't great. There are a few trails but not a lot of interesting features and very little elevation change. The biggest pro is that it's only an hour from Boston.
Checking in is a big process here - it took about 5-10 minutes to get past the front gate because they ask for so much info about your party.
One additional perk is the rangers leave you completely alone.
RangerOtter River State Park is located in Winchendon, in north central MA proximate to the NH border. The park was certainly lovely, facilities clean and my stay pleasant. Sites were a bit small. The hiking trails in and around the camp trail were nice, but not overly remarkable. Don’t recall there being a ton to do in and around the neighboring towns. Really, this is a good, low-key spot for families looking to spend a couple days out of the city. It’s about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Boston. Kids can play safely and bike throughout the grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Wendell, MA is Otter River State Forest with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.
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