2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
State forests and public lands surrounding West Brookfield, Massachusetts provide several tent-only camping options within a 30-mile radius. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offers walk-in tent campsites managed by the Trustees of Reservations, with some sites providing direct lake access. Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham features primitive tent camping with walk-in access and basic amenities. Barton Cove Campground in Gill provides rustic tent sites with tent platforms along the Connecticut River, operating seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to park in designated lots and transport gear to their sites. At Tully Lake, wooden carts are provided for hauling equipment distances ranging from 50 yards to nearly a mile. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. Federated Women's Club State Forest offers only composting toilets and requires visitors to bring their own water. Cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent at most backcountry tent sites, making offline map downloads essential for navigation. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, and reservations are strongly recommended for weekend camping, particularly at Tully Lake where sites fill quickly.
Tent campers frequently note the peaceful atmosphere created by the absence of vehicles at campsites. According to reviews, Tully Lake's Site 1 is "huge and extremely private," while waterfront sites offer less privacy but direct water access. One camper observed that Tully Lake is "meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods" and tends to be quieter because it's not ideal for families seeking convenience. At Onion Mountain Park in Connecticut, approximately 40 miles southwest of West Brookfield, primitive tent camping spots can be found along hiking trails, with one visitor noting they found "a very primitive spot off the blue trail" with an established fire pit. Most walk-in tent sites throughout the region offer good tree cover, providing shade during summer months.
"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
"All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."
"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
"I wasn't going to come back again but it is very close to my grandkids. All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. "
"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis. Other posts claim you can park right the site, but you can not."
"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
"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
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.
ScoutAfter a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.
ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
ScoutBrought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.
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.
ScoutWe have been coming here seasonally and its become our little weekend escape. There is always something going on and the kids have made so many friends. Makes it easy to just pack a few things and head out.
ScoutNothing beats a slow morning at the campsite with a cup of coffee. We really enjoyed the trails and just walking around before everyone else was up.
ScoutWe rented a cabin for the weekend and it worked out really well for our family. It was nice having a comfortable place to come back to after being outside all day. The kids loved the pool and exploring around the campground.
Tent campsites near West Brookfield, Massachusetts sit within the hilly terrain of central Massachusetts, where elevations range from 600 to 1,300 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most primitive camping options require offline navigation tools as forest cover can block GPS signals in remote areas.
Paddling adventures: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers multiple water activities with canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals available onsite. A camper noted, "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."
Waterfall hiking: Nearby hiking trails feature scenic waterfalls accessible within short walking distances from campgrounds. One visitor to Onion Mountain Park explained they found "a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain)" with established fire pits already in place.
Whitewater sports: The Deerfield River offers rafting opportunities through outfitters like Zoar Outdoor. According to a camper, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting." Bookings should be made 2-3 weeks in advance during summer months.
Nature immersion: The absence of developed facilities creates a genuine outdoor experience at many sites. A Federated Womens Club State Forest visitor noted, "If you continue past site 15, you'll head through Gate 36 out toward Soapstone Hill which offers a great view of Quabbin Reservoir and sunsets."
Cart-based camping: The lack of vehicle access at several campgrounds creates a quieter experience. A Tully Lake camper shared, "The camp's minimal store sells ice cream and a (very) few sundries, so come prepared. If you are a car camper this is going to be more rustic as there is no driving up to the sites."
Waterfront access: Several primitive tent sites around West Brookfield provide direct water access. A reviewer at Barton Cove Campground mentioned, "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."
Limited supplies: Most primitive camping locations have minimal to no onsite supplies. A Tully Lake camper advised, "Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea" due to the distance from parking areas to campsites.
Navigation challenges: Cell service is spotty or nonexistent throughout the region. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Booking timing: Reservations for popular tent sites fill quickly. According to a visitor, "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year)," referring specifically to Tully Lake during peak season.
Bear awareness: While not common, proper food storage is still recommended. A camper at Onion Mountain Park noted they "did put a bear bag about 100 feet away" as a precaution during their overnight stay.
Site selection for kids: When camping with children, consider proximity to facilities. One camper at Tully Lake shared, "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."
Educational opportunities: Local campgrounds offer learning experiences about local history and ecology. At Maple Ridge Farm, "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale" which can provide entertainment and learning opportunities for children.
Transportation planning: Some sites require significant walking from parking areas. A camper noted about Barton Cove, "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite" due to the gate system and distance from parking to sites.
Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential during summer months. A Tully Lake visitor warned, "Buggy in June so bring your repellent."
Limited RV options: Most tent camping sites near West Brookfield cannot accommodate RVs. Instead, RVers should look toward Sodom Mountain Campground where recent improvements have been made. A visitor noted, "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in this region close after Labor Day. For RVers seeking longer stays, Sodom Mountain offers extended options with a camper mentioning, "Looking forward to coming back next year to stay for a month like I did this year."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near West Brookfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Brookfield, 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 West Brookfield, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near West Brookfield, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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