Camping is such a fun thing to do in the summer with the family! My family is hooked on canoes, campfires, s’mores and cookouts. Six family friendly campgrounds are within a 1 hour drive from the heart of Worcester! All of the below listed campgrounds are through ReserveAmerica and reservations for camping at parks across Massachusetts opened to the public on March 6, 2024, at 9 a.m. Visitors can make reservations for one of DCR’s campgrounds up to four months in advance of their arrival date through ReserveAmerica. Reservations are available for DCR’s 25 campgrounds beginning in April and running through October. You can also call calling 1-877-422-6762.
Tips from the MassParks site: There’s tons of fun to be had in the Central Region of Massachusetts. Hike or drive to the summit of Wachusett Mountain. On a clear day you can see from Boston to the Berkshires! Check out the Connecticut River by rollerblading or biking along the Norwottuck Rail Trail. Visit the Great Falls Discovery Center where you can get up close and personal with a full-size gear or moose (stuffed of course). Purgatory Chasm has rocks that are millions of years old, boulders big as cars, and cliffs that are 80 feet straight up! Time travel to the 1800s when visiting Holyoke Heritage. While you are there, take a ride on the merry-go-round or visit the Children’s Museum. Walk along the towpath at Blackstone River & Canal and visit the mill village “ghost town” at Moore. If it’s hot, take a dip in Dunn Pond or Lake Wyola. You can take swimming lessons at Leominster State Forest and many DCR pools. Do you like to camp? Lake Dennison has lakeside campsites. Erving and Otter River treat you to evening campfire stories. At Skinner State Park, stand on the historic Summit House porch atop Mt. Holyoke, where you can see forever. If you’re lucky, you might spot a hang glider or bald eagle.
1. Erving State Forest; Erving, MA; 978-544-7745; Camping Services and Amenities; Inland/Established; 29 campsites, swimming. Picnic tables, fireplaces, showers and flush toilets, no hookups. Camping Season, Late May to early mid October
2. Lake Dennison Recreation Area; Winchendon, MA; 978-939-8962; Camping Services and Amenities; Inland/Established/Group; 151 campsites, swimming. Flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fireplaces, and dumping station available. No hookups. *Group Camping: 1 site. Accommodates 25 people maximum. Reservations required. Camping Season, Late May to mid October
3. Otter River State Forest; Baldwinville, MA; 978-939-8962; Camping Services and Amenities; Inland/Established/Yurts/Group; *78 sites. Yurts and group camping available. Swimming. Flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and fireplaces available. Dumping station at nearby Lake Dennison. No hookups. Yurt Camping: 4 sites. 3 yurts accommodate 6 people, 1 yurt accommodates 4 people. Pets are prohibited from yurts and yurt sites. Group Camping: 3 sites. Accommodates 15 person maximum each. Camping Season, Early May to mid October
4. Pearl Hill State Park; West Townsend, MA; 978-597-8802; Camping Services and Amenities; Inland/Established; *50 campsites. Flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and fireplaces available. No hookups. Camping Season, Late May to mid-October
5. Wells State Park; Sturbridge, MA; 508-347-9257; Camping Services and Amenities; Inland/Established/Yurts/Group; *60 campsites, swimming. Flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fireplaces, and dumping station available. No hookups. Yurt Camping: 4 sites. 1 yurt accommodates 4 people; 3 yurts accommodates 6 people. Pets are prohibited from yurts and yurt sites. Group Camping: 1 site accommodates 25 person maximum. Camping Season, Early May to mid October
6. Willard Brook State Forest; Ashby and Townsend, MA; 978-597-8802; Camping Services and Amenities; Limited/Group Yurt; 21 campsites. Flush toilets, picnic tables, and fireplaces available. No showers or hookups. Yurt Group Camping: 1 site. Group yurt accommodates maximum of 10 people with options for additional campsites. Reservations required. Pets are prohibited from yurt and yurt sites. Camping Season, Late May to early September. Yurt camping is available only on weekends during September and May.
Have fun camping!
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter here! * Check out more events in Macaroni KID Leominster here.
