The Department of Conservation and Recreation sent out the following announcement:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced that reservations for camping at parks across Massachusetts will open 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.
“One of our goals at DCR is to get more families outside and exploring our state’s beautiful natural resources,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We know fresh air and the outdoors play a critical role, not only for our physical health but our mental health. Camping in our DCR parks is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience nature, and we hope to see some new faces during the 2024 camping season.”
Over the past year, DCR has made significant investments in many of our campgrounds across the state. The campground at Mohawk Trail State Forest underwent a $1.4 million renovation following the discovery of algae in the water source feeding the bathhouses in February 2023, including installing a new water system, repaving the campground’s roads, replacing roofs on the cabins and administrative buildings, upgrading the bathroom facilities, and repairing and restoring the chimneys in the Civilian Conservation Corps-era (CCC) cabins. DCR reopened the campground on January 18 for the winter camping season, which ends March 9. Additionally, DCR has invested $250,000 in new campground equipment, including picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
Before booking, it is important to note the updated information on this year’s camping season:
• Reservations can be made up to four months in advance of your arrival date. That means if campers plan to arrive on August 12, the earliest they can book a reservation is April 12.
• DCR has streamlined the reservation process, but campers should fill in all the necessary fields when booking for a smooth check-in when they arrive.
• Campers can explore the Harbor Islands by camping on Peddocks Island.
• Camping at Beartown and Mt. Greylock will not be available this season, but fans of the campsites can email dcr.campinginfo@mass.gov for updates on their reopening.
• Same-day camping is available until 2 p.m. through ReserveAmerica, but DCR cannot accept walk-in camping. Visitors are not allowed at campsites this season, but campers and visitors can meet at the campsite’s day-use areas.
Interested campers can find a DCR campsite near them by visiting DCR’s camping webpage. DCR’s campsites vary in what they offer, from showers to flush toilets to R.V. sites offering electric and water hook-ups. Campers can also try camping in yurts at Myles Standish State Forest, Nickerson State Park, October Mountain State Forest, Otter River State Forest, Shawme Crowell State Forest, Wells State Park or Willard Brook State Forest, or in cabins at Mohawk Trail State Forest or Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Last season, DCR welcomed more than 50,000 camping reservations across the Commonwealth. For more information and questions about the 2024 camping season, visit the agency’s website or email dcr.campinginfo@mass.gov.