Camping options around West Hill Dam encompass diverse setups from primitive tent sites to cabins and yurt rentals. Several campgrounds in central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut operate from April through October, with the majority closing during winter months. Many locations offer waterfront access to ponds, lakes, and rivers where fishing and paddling are popular activities.
What to do
Fishing at Douglas State Forest: The recently renovated Douglas Forest RV Resort offers easy access to the forest's recreational opportunities. The resort serves as a convenient base for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. One visitor noted, "You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical."
Disc golf courses: Wells State Park features an established disc golf course alongside its camping facilities. A camper mentioned, "There is a really long list of amenities for this campground... disk golf, fishing pond, horseshoe pits, baseball diamond, volleyball, shuffleboard, and playground, and probably a few more things I missed."
Swimming at Walker Pond: Wells State Park provides a designated swimming area at Walker Pond, though some visitors note limitations. According to one review, "I knocked a star because I think the swimming area could be bigger and raked. It's red clay instead of sand."
Paddling on West Thompson Lake: For those interested in water-based recreation, West Thompson Lake Campground offers excellent kayaking opportunities. A visitor shared, "This campground is very small and quiet, but the lake and adjoining river offer hours of fun for small craft. Take a long paddle up the river and you'll be escorted by hundreds of bluebirds and cedar waxwings."
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Sutton Falls Camping Area features sought-after waterfront locations along Aldrich Mill Pond. One camper described their experience: "We were delighted when we learned we had the little peninsula of site P1 all to ourselves. We felt like we were on top of the world, discovering this perfect quiet nook and basking in nature's splendor."
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds have invested in facility upgrades. At Wells State Park, a visitor remarked, "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space."
Proximity to regional attractions: The area's central location provides easy access to notable destinations. A visitor to Normandy Farms Campground shared, "Normandy Farms is approximately 35 miles from Boston. If you don't want to drive to the city, you can park at the nearby train or subway station and ride into the city. You are just five miles from Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place."
Seasonal events: Many campgrounds host special activities during peak season. A visitor to Stateline Campresort mentioned, "We went to their Oktoberfest that they did on Saturday and that was decorated great and the band and activities were good!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Holiday weekends fill quickly at popular campgrounds. During peak summer months, reserve sites at least 4-6 weeks in advance, particularly for waterfront locations.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. At George Washington State Campground, a visitor noted, "It is very noisy, the road has heavy traffic. I was disappointed that I picked a hike in site and it sounded like I was camped on the side of a highway."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this region feature uneven terrain. One camper at Wells State Park observed, "The site (or what we could see of it) seemed nice, but was very un-level, with a steep, narrow driveway."
Shower facilities: Shower amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. At George Washington State Campground, "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome pets but have specific policies. At Circle Campground Farm, the layout accommodates families with pets: "Nice little fishing pond on site, nice clean bathhouses and pool."
Activities for kids: Campgrounds often provide recreational facilities for children. A visitor to Normandy Farms Campground mentioned, "With everything this campground has to offer you can see why it is a destination park for some people as their kids would be busy all day."
Swimming safety: Water quality varies at swimming areas. A visitor to West Thompson Lake Campground noted an important detail: "The lake is pretty but you cannot swim or eat the fish. There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course."
Campsite selection for families: Sites near amenities can benefit those with young children. At Wells State Park, one camper advised, "We booked site #39 online, based on proximity to bath house. Camp sites are clearly labeled and none are that far of a walk from the beach or bathrooms."
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entrance roads or tight interior roads. A visitor to Sutton Falls Camping Area mentioned, "There's a covered bridge that scared me a little due to size concerns but its quite tall and wide enough. Our rig is 11'9" to the top of the A/C and we had no issues."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven sites at several area campgrounds. At Circle Campground Farm, one RVer noted, "I was on site 87 and was able to level on the first try. The campground is a little tight with a big rig (40' motorhome pulling a vehicle on a dolly)."
Utilities reliability: Power capacity can be an issue during peak demand. A camper at Kings Campground mentioned recent improvements: "Electric has been revamped, sewer has been upgraded to accommodate full service hook-up to each site, and they recently renovated the laundry."
Cell connectivity: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. One RVer at Sutton Falls Camping Area shared, "Only problem was the cell signal. Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint."
