Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

4.01

97 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Get Directions

Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campground fees are specified in the provided text. See the webpage for full fee details and policies.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.01

Satisfactory

Based on 97 reviews

127 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanhikinglake

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Tully Lake Recreation Area, describing it as a beautiful, well-run, and uniquely rustic campground with clean facilities and great lake access. Guests highlight the combination of convenience and wilderness, easy kid-friendly activities, and a scenic setting for both camping and day-use events. Only a few minor issues are mentioned, such as bees at the picnic shelter and lack of utilities at day-use areas."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

Tully Lake transforms with each season, offering year-round adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Spring and summer bring prime conditions for boating, fishing, and camping beneath towering white pines, while fall paints the forest in brilliant colors perfect for hiking and wildlife watching. Winter opens opportunities for ice fishing and snowshoeing, and hunters can pursue game during designated seasons. Each visit reveals a different face of this dynamic landscape, ensuring no two trips are ever quite the same.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

Nestled in the heart of Massachusetts, Tully Lake Recreation Area offers 1,262 acres of pristine wilderness managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This reservoir-based haven invites adventurers to explore winding mountain bike trails, cast a line into tranquil waters, navigate the challenging disc golf course, or simply lose themselves in miles of scenic hiking paths.

The site provides opportunities for camping and day-use recreation; a nearby tent-only campground run by the Trustees of Reservations is located at the north end of the lake. Specific on-site campsite types and hookups are not detailed in the provided material.

Historical SignificanceThe story of Tully Lake is one of protection and preservation. The dam was constructed as a guardian against the devastating floods that once threatened communities along the Millers and Connecticut Rivers, transforming a valley into a recreational sanctuary. Just ten miles away lies the haunting Quabbin Reservoir, where four entire towns were deliberately flooded in the 1930s to quench Boston's growing thirst—a controversial sacrifice that displaced thousands and created one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the United States. Together, these waterways tell a compelling tale of how humans have reshaped the Massachusetts landscape.

Weather and SeasonsTully Lake transforms with each season, offering year-round adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Spring and summer bring prime conditions for boating, fishing, and camping beneath towering white pines, while fall paints the forest in brilliant colors perfect for hiking and wildlife watching. Winter opens opportunities for ice fishing and snowshoeing, and hunters can pursue game during designated seasons. Each visit reveals a different face of this dynamic landscape, ensuring no two trips are ever quite the same.

Natural Features and SceneryThe 1,300-acre reservoir area is a masterpiece of ecological diversity, where more than half the landscape consists of thriving wetlands teeming with life. Watch great blue herons stalk the shallows while beavers engineer their lodges along quiet coves, or listen for the splash of otters playing in the early morning mist. The surrounding upland forests, dominated by stately white pine, shelter a remarkable cast of characters—from white-tailed deer browsing at dawn to the elusive fisher cat prowling after dark. Songbirds fill the canopy with music while frogs and salamanders thrive in the moist bottomlands. Whether you're paddling past a family of wood ducks or spotting fox tracks along a trail, Tully Lake offers intimate encounters with the wild residents who call this place home.

Geological RegionCarved by ancient glaciers and shaped by the Tully River, this classic New England valley showcases the dramatic topography of central Massachusetts. The reservoir nestles within steep, forested hillsides characteristic of the region's river valley ecosystems, where water and woodland meet to create some of the state's most productive wildlife habitat.

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesAt the north end of the lake there is a tent-only campground operated by the Trustees of Reservations, which serves as a launching point for outdoor activities in the area.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Groups

The Tully Lake Pavilion accommodates groups (maximum group size 50 people) with parking for 25 passenger vehicles at the upper gravel lot
this refers to pavilion/group day-use capacity rather than specific group campsites.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutRecreation area includes a pavilion with picnic tables and grills, a small playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, and bathrooms (no running water). Pavilion parking: 25 passenger vehicles at upper gravel lot.

Cancellation PolicyReview the cancellation and refund policy on the webpage. In general, requests for cancellations/refunds will require at least two weeks prior to your reservation to be considered.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

A variety of outdoor activities are available in and around Tully Lake, including trail-based recreation, lake activities, and family-friendly recreation at the pavilion and play area.

Hiking

Hiking is offered in and around the reservoir area; trails and nearby regional trail opportunities are noted in site materials.

Fishing

Fishing is available on Tully Lake.

Biking

Mountain biking is explicitly listed among recreation opportunities.

Boating

Boating is available on the 1,300-acre (1,262-acre property) reservoir.

Wildlife viewing

Extensive wetlands and upland forests support diverse wildlife (waterfowl, songbirds, deer, moose, beaver, mink, otter, etc.), making wildlife viewing a primary activity.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 90%

Wind: 9.8 mph

Overcast

Weather History

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Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated on the shore of Tully Lake reservoir; Route 32 crosses Tully Dam and provides direct access to the lake.

Campground Map

Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma)

Driving directionsIn Massachusetts, take exit 17 on Route 2, and follow Route 32 north approximately 6 miles through Athol and into Royalston. From New Hampshire, follow Route 32 south about 8 miles from the intersection of Route 119 in Richmond. Route 32 goes over Tully Dam and provides direct access to the lake.

Accessible from Route 2 (exit 17) via Route 32; Route 32 crosses Tully Dam providing direct access.

Nearby places

Boston: about 1.5 hours east

Birch Hill Dam: ~10 miles

Quabbin Reservoir: ~10 miles

Athol: ~6 miles along Route 32

Richmond (NH): ~8 miles from Route 119.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.0

97 reviews

Satisfactory

Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly love Tully Lake Recreation Area, describing it as a beautiful, well-run, and uniquely rustic campground with clean facilities and great lake access. Guests highlight the combination of convenience and wilderness, easy kid-friendly activities, and a scenic setting for both camping and day-use events. Only a few minor issues are mentioned, such as bees at the picnic shelter and lack of utilities at day-use areas.

Review Summaries

Based on 97 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the natural beauty, clean lake, and excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and hiking (including easy kid-friendly trails and Jacob’s Peak). The campground is...

Based on 97 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints are minimal. A few day-use guests noted issues with the toilets at the picnic shelter (“a bit shitty”) and mentioned severe bees/wasps around food during a late-August event. Several...

Based on 97 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers recommend booking early, especially for waterfront sites. For the picnic shelter, guests suggest bringing plenty of water (none is available on-site) and sanitizing wipes for use...

Based on 97 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Perfect combination of convenience and wilderness. Fun for the family.” “Tully Lake Campground was amazing. The campsites are large, well-marked, and have plenty of space between them… the area is...

Based on 97 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer mentioned camping at a specific site in June and being excited to return, but did not provide site number or detailed comparison to other sites. Multiple reviewers note that waterfront...

Based on 97 reviews

Accessibility Features

While there are no formal ADA comments, several reviewers indicate relatively easy access: parking is close with about a 100-yard walk to secluded tent sites, and wheelbarrows are provided to haul...

Based on 97 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

At least one review explicitly notes that the campground is dog friendly, and this is mentioned as a positive alongside clean facilities and good hiking options.

Based on 97 reviews