1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent campers visiting West Swanzey, New Hampshire have several established campgrounds within a reasonable driving distance. Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston, Massachusetts offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Monadnock State Park's HQ Campground provides tent sites near Mount Monadnock, while more primitive options exist at Federated Womens Club State Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, where tent sites are walk-in only with minimal amenities.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to park in designated areas and transport gear to their sites. At Tully Lake, wooden wheelbarrows are provided for hauling equipment from the parking area to campsites, with distances ranging from 50 yards to nearly a mile. Toilet facilities vary significantly across locations—some areas like Tully Lake offer flush toilets and coin-operated hot showers, while more primitive locations like Federated Womens Club State Forest provide only basic vault toilets. Water access is inconsistent, with some locations requiring campers to bring their own supply or collect from central spigots. Fire regulations are strictly enforced, particularly during dry summer months.
The tent-only nature of many sites creates a quieter experience compared to campgrounds that accommodate RVs. Sites at Tully Lake offer varying levels of privacy, with waterfront locations providing direct access to paddling and swimming opportunities. Higher elevation sites at places like Monadnock State Park tend to be cooler and less buggy during summer months. The surrounding forests offer extensive hiking networks, from the challenging trails of Mount Monadnock to gentler woodland paths along waterways. Stratton Pond Shelter in Vermont represents a more remote backcountry option for experienced tent campers willing to hike in. According to one visitor at Tully Lake, "Sites are very basic, with only a picnic table and fire ring, but the campground offers a truly rustic experience with beautiful views between the trees."
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"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."
from $40 / 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
"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
from $35 - $140 / night
Available this weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
from $125 - $500 / 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.
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
ScoutThe recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
ScoutWe came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
ScoutWe have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
TravelerGorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
ScoutNothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
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 brought the kids and they found plenty to do. Between the pool, river and recreation area, they were pretty much entertained the entire trip.
Tent camping near West Swanzey, New Hampshire offers diverse experiences across a varied landscape with elevations ranging from 400-1,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summer nights averaging 60°F and cooler spring/fall nights often dropping to 40°F. Many campgrounds in this area restrict alcohol consumption and have quiet hours starting at 10pm.
Swimming in natural settings: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers swimming directly from waterfront campsites. "We really enjoyed our stay and look forward to booking again soon! This was the trifecta for us, where we could fish, kayak, and swim!" according to Stacey W., who appreciated the combination of water activities available.
Paddling on calm waters: Barton Cove Campground provides canoe and kayak rentals with unique water access points. "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers. You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water)," notes Brie B., highlighting the rules around water access.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Zoar Outdoor, campers can access riverside trails and jumping rocks. "It's close to where locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side," writes Seth K., sharing insider knowledge about popular swimming spots that locals frequent.
Disc golf opportunities: Tully Lake features a course near the dam that receives steady use throughout summer. According to Jean C., "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."
Privacy between sites: Maple Ridge Farm offers well-spaced campsites with natural buffers. "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," explains Les R., describing the transportation assistance provided.
Car-free camping experience: Tully Lake Recreation Area creates a quieter atmosphere through its walk-in design. "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," shares Megan G., noting the family-friendly aspect of the car-free environment.
Remote backcountry options: Stratton Pond Shelter provides a true wilderness experience for experienced hikers. "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter," recounts Miccal M., detailing the winter hiking conditions.
Staff helpfulness: Camp hosts at many locations provide valuable local information. Dominick V. notes about Zoar Outdoor, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting. Amenities are well maintained."
Reservation timing matters: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "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), so you have to be on your game," advises Kris M. about securing spots at Tully Lake.
Equipment hauling requirements: Many campgrounds require gear to be carried or carted from parking areas. At Barton Cove Campground, Brie B. explains, "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite- you check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key, drive back to campground, walk to your site."
Limited facilities at remote sites: Bring essential supplies when camping at more primitive locations. Jean C. notes about Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field... Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Varying quiet atmospheres: Some campgrounds struggle with noise management on busy weekends. Lauren A. reports about Tully Lake, "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay."
Choose sites away from water with young children: Waterfront sites require constant supervision. Miguel B. from Tully Lake Recreation Area advises, "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."
Plan for bathroom distance: Central facilities can be far from some campsites. "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 and neighboring campers," shares Lauren A., highlighting considerations for families with young children.
Bring bug protection: Summer months can be especially buggy in low-lying areas. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that's all I got for now," notes Sa R. about essential supplies for comfort during early summer camping.
Look for ranger programs: Some campgrounds offer educational activities. Nancy R. explains, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near West Swanzey, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Swanzey, NH 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 Swanzey, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near West Swanzey, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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