Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

Score a campsite at this Army Corps of Engineer owned/Trustees of the Reservation operated campground and you can either paddle or walk into your site. Trustees membership offers a small discount on the rate.

There's a canoe/kayak launch near the campground, so if you have a waterfront site you may choose to paddle your gear over. Some of the sites do not have waterfront access, however, and you'll definitely want to take advantage of the carts provided. Campsites are very basic, with only a picnic table and fire ring. 

Canoes and kayaks are available for rental. Volleyball and horseshoes are near the entrance. You may purchase firewood. The bathrooms offer flush toilets and a single shower on each site, plus a dishwashing sink outside. From some of the sites, this will be a long walk during the night. The mural inside is beautiful. 

From the main entrance, collect a cart, load your gear, and following the appropriate divergent path from the parking lot or bath house (they are color coded). Some of the sites are located on a small rise; I suspect that was appreciated the night 4" of rain fell recently! One site gives you an island to yourself.

Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive.

Near the dam is a larger boat launch with parking. I was there in July and wildflowers were blooming. A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity. We hiked the 4-mile loop around Tully Lake. The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area. There's no formal swimming area and you can't swim at the boat launches, but you are able to swim from your campsites if you so desire.

I took most of my photos during a December visit (which is why the picnic tables are often resting against trees), but returned in July.

Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

This is a "Carry In" campground. 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.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. 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. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. 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.

The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

The campsites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping. Each site has a table and a fire ring.

There is one central restroom with showers (bring your quarters) and a place to wash dishes.

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, but there is a main parking area and a few sites 50-100 yards aways from it.

The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea.

There is easy access to a man made lake which is quite beautiful, and you can paddle on it and explore its shoreline.

You can hike and bike (mtb). Nearby there are waterfalls (gorgeous) and a local mountain (I've not been there—yet).

The staff is friendly and know the locale, they were able to give us tips on good hikes.