The tent camping options around West Chesterfield, New Hampshire offer secluded sites within diverse forest ecosystems at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet. Seasonal temperature variations are significant with summer highs averaging 80°F and nighttime lows dipping to the 50s, creating ideal tent camping conditions. The region's campgrounds feature varying levels of amenities while maintaining a focus on natural surroundings.
What to do
Water activities at Tully Lake: Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards directly from the recreation area to explore the lake's islands and coves. According to a camper, "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. It's a beautiful area right in your own back yard."
Hiking at Stratton Pond Shelter: Access this remote shelter via a 3.75-mile hike from the nearest winter parking lot. The shelter sits at an intersection of the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, and Stratton Mountain trail systems. One winter visitor noted, "The lake looks great and is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail."
Historical exploration around Federated Womens Club State Forest: Discover remnants of abandoned towns submerged to create the Quabbin Reservoir. The area contains numerous cellar holes from 1930s settlements. A reviewer mentioned, "This website provides some general information about hikes and exploration in the area that surrounds the Quabbin Reservoir. You'll find cellar holes throughout, remnants of the towns lost in the 30s to create the reservoir."
What campers like
Privacy between sites at Maple Ridge Farm: Campers appreciate the natural spacing between tent sites at this Vermont location. A recent visitor noted, "The owners were so friendly and excited to welcome campers. 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."
Vehicle-free camping environment: Many tent-focused campgrounds in the region restrict vehicle access to individual sites, creating quieter surroundings. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, one camper shared, "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. No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around."
Helpful staff matching tents to sites: Campground staff often help match tent sizes to appropriate sites. At Barton Cove Campground, a visitor reported, "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."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most tent camping areas have poor or non-existent cell coverage. Download offline maps before arriving. A camper at Federated Womens Club State Forest reported, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Reservation timing for popular sites: The best tent camping near West Chesterfield requires advance planning. At Tully Lake, a reviewer explained, "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."
Equipment transport considerations: Many campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas to individual sites. At Zoar Outdoor, campers need to prepare for this added logistics step. Similarly, a Barton Cove visitor described the process: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites based on bathroom proximity: When camping with children, consider the distance to facilities. At Tully Lake, one family noted, "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."
Look for car-free sites for safety: Vehicle-free camping areas create safer environments for children. As one Tully Lake camper observed, "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."
Pack minimally for walk-in sites: With many campgrounds requiring gear transport from parking areas, streamline your packing list. A Tully Lake visitor advised, "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."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The best tent camping near West Chesterfield prioritizes tent-only experiences, with few RV accommodations available. Most campgrounds specifically prohibit RVs to maintain the natural, quiet atmosphere that tent campers seek in this region.
Consider alternative locations: RV campers should look toward larger state parks and commercial campgrounds further south and east for suitable hookups and facilities. The intimate, walk-in nature of most local campgrounds makes them impractical for RV camping.
Tent platforms not RV compatible: At sites like Seth Warner Shelter, facilities are designed exclusively for tents or hammocks. A visitor explained, "Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people. There is a fire pit... IF you arrive late and there is no more room in the shelter use your tent or hammock in one of the many flat perfect spots for either."
