Tent camping near Worthington, Massachusetts includes numerous sites within a 30-mile radius of town. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,000-2,000 feet in the Berkshire foothills with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than urban areas. Winter camping opportunities exist but most facilities close after mid-October when nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Water sports at Tully Lake: Campers can explore the lake by canoe or kayak, which are available for rental directly at Tully Lake Recreation Area. "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.
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails around the region lead to impressive water features. At Tully Lake, Doane's Falls is accessible via a short walk. As one visitor describes, "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 opportunities: Railroad enthusiasts can enjoy watching active train lines from Chester Railway Station. "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," reports Esther L.
What campers like
Cart-in camping system: Many campgrounds in this region use a cart system rather than allowing vehicles at sites. At Tully Lake, "You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites," explains Nancy R.
Private waterfront sites: Some campsites offer direct water access. "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," reports Megan G. about her stay at Tully Lake.
Rustic farm settings: Maple Ridge Farm offers a different camping experience on agricultural land. "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale. Toilet and shower were very clean. 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," notes Les R.
What you should know
Reservation timing critical: Popular sites book extremely quickly. 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," advises Kris M.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have poor connectivity. At Barton Cove Campground, there's minimal service, and at Tully Lake "Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again."
Campground rules vary significantly: Some campgrounds have specific restrictions. At Barton Cove, one camper noted, "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 which was a downside."
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with minimal hiking: Some campgrounds require long walks from parking areas. "Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site and neighboring campers. Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," explains Lauren A. about her family's experience at Tully Lake.
Consider no-car campgrounds for safety: Car-free camping areas provide peace of mind for parents. At Tully Lake, "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," notes Megan G.
Check bathroom proximity: Central facilities can be far from some sites. "The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. From some of the sites, this will be a long walk during the night," cautions Jean C. about Tully Lake.
Tips from RVers
Primitive options for small RVs: While most camping in the region is tent-focused, Zoar Outdoor offers some options for smaller RVs and connects to recreational activities. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," notes Seth K.
Prepare for unpaved access roads: Many campgrounds feature dirt roads with variable conditions. At Sodom Mountain Campground, a camper notes, "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired," indicating previous road quality issues that required maintenance.
Consider alternative lodging: Due to limited RV options, consider unique accommodations. Chester Railway Station offers a caboose that "sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too," providing a hybrid option for small groups wanting both vehicle and tent accommodations.
