Tent campsites near Westminster, Massachusetts focus primarily on walk-in camping experiences that offer more solitude than typical drive-up campgrounds. The region sits approximately 1,200 feet above sea level with forests dominated by oak, maple and pine trees. Campers should prepare for significant temperature drops at night, particularly in spring and fall when evening temperatures can fall 20-30 degrees below daytime highs.
What to do
Water activities on Tully Lake: Rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards at Tully Lake Recreation Area from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax. It's a beautiful area right in your own back yard," notes camper Ben P.
Hike to waterfalls: Access Doane's Falls via a short trail from the Tully Lake campground entrance. "The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area," reports Jean C. The falls feature a series of cascades through a densely wooded area with photography opportunities.
Explore Quabbin Reservoir views: Trek to Soapstone Hill from Federated Womens Club State Forest for sunset vistas over the reservoir. "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," suggests one camper.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Tent campsites at Tully Lake provide waterfront locations with significant spacing between neighbors. "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.
Car-free camping environment: The walk-in nature of Barton Cove Campground creates a quieter experience than traditional campgrounds. "Rustic camping only- sites have tent platforms, grill, fire pit and picnic tables. Porta potties and latrines were very clean," notes Brie B., though she mentions the gate system makes loading and unloading more complicated.
Helpful staff: Most tent campgrounds in the region provide knowledgeable guidance on local activities. "The staff is friendly and know the locale, they were able to give us tips on good hikes," shares Miguel B. about Tully Lake staff.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Secure campsites months in advance, particularly for holiday weekends. For Tully Lake, "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April)," cautions Kris M.
Limited cell service: Prepare for minimal connectivity throughout the region. At Lost Boys Hideout, like most area campgrounds, cell coverage is spotty. Jean C. advises for Federated Women's Club State Forest: "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Water transport: Bring containers for water at primitive sites. "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers," notes a Barton Cove visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Balance distance and convenience: Select sites based on how far children can comfortably walk from parking areas. "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," explains Lauren A. about her Tully Lake experience.
Bug preparedness: Pack insect repellent, particularly for summer camping. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent," warns Sa R. about Tully Lake. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk near water features.
Private farms for quieter family camping: Maple Ridge Farm offers a less crowded alternative for families. "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," reports Les R.
Tips from RVers
Alternative lodging options: Most tent campgrounds near Westminster don't accommodate RVs, but several offer platform tents or glamping alternatives. At HQ Campground near Mount Monadnock, electric hookups are available at select sites while maintaining a tent camping atmosphere.
Equipment limitations: When visiting walk-in sites, minimize gear that requires vehicle proximity. "The campsites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping... Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea," advises Miguel B. about Tully Lake.
