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Rosy Goat Farm

Hosted by Trisha · Gilbertville, Massachusetts

2 sites · RV, Tent · 13 acres

99%

214 reviews

Best Hipcamps in Massachusetts

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2026.

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Best in Massachusetts: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

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Welcome to Rosy Goat Farm! We are a quintessential family farm and homestead — our farmhouse dates to the 1840s. Bill and I bought this 13-acre property in 2012, overgrown with wild roses. The animals did the clearing: goats ate the roses, pigs dug up the roots, chickens raked it clean. Win win! A Touch of Hardwick History In 1686, Captain Samuel Ruggles and seven men purchased this land from the Nipmuck people for twenty British pounds. His grandson, Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles, became a notorious Loyalist — driven from Hardwick at dawn by his own brother Benjamin, who warned him: “Cross today and you will never cross again alive.” His daughter Bathsheba became the first woman executed in the newly independent United States, for murdering her husband — told in Murdered by His Wife by Deborah Navas. Local Eats Whistle Stop Diner (former railroad station) for breakfast and lunch. Mimi’s overlooks the Common. Rose 32 is a lovely bakery. Hardwick House of Pizza, Hardwick Crossing Country Club (full bar, 3 mins away), Stone Cow Brewery in Barre (kids area). In Ware: Mexicali Grill, Theresa’s, Hanna’s on Main, Pig Park BBQ. Farmer Matt, North Brookfield: takeout with picnic tables and views. Things to Do Gilbertville has one of the last covered bridges still in use in Massachusetts! Mass Central Rail Trail: 1-mile section through Gilbertville from the covered bridge; separate 3-mile section (East Quabbin Land Trust) from Creamery Road to Wheelwright — park at former New Braintree train station on Hardwick Road. East Quabbin Land Trust also has birdwatching trails. Hardwick hosts the oldest agricultural fair in the US every August, plus a Sunday farmers market on the Common. Hardwick Vineyard and Winery and nearby Lost Towns Brewery, named for towns submerged to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Medicine River Pow Wow every August, River Run Road. Quabbin Reservoir: boating and fishing. Swift River, Belchertown: kayaking. Lake Lashaway, East Brookfield: swimming 20 mins. Lake Siog, Holland: beach 30 mins south. Free concerts Grenville Park, Ware; live music weekends at Janine’s Frostee. Old Sturbridge Village 30 mins. Also: Ragged Hill Orchard, Rock House Reservation, Carter and Stevens Farm, Leicester and Mendon drive-ins. Is this area great or what?!

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99%

(246)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 20 ft

Restore energy to a stressed soul. Get out of the city. Just get away. “We need the tonic of the wilderness” Henry D. Thoreau. Pitch a tent, or park a small camper and enjoy peaceful privacy, relaxing in the remote countryside by a campfire, sipping a cold beer, or a camp coffee, while you watch the stars or a sunrise, or maybe sketch the view, photograph it, write a poem about it, or hike around in it! Let your soul relax and feel refreshed when you head back to civilization! Welcome to our farm! Tents, small campers, car tents or truck camping is best. The old stone walls gives limited clearance to get into the camp area from the narrow street for anything larger than the small campers/ pop-ups. Be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks and poison ivy depending on what season you're camping in. We spray Mosquito Barrier around our farm, it is a concentrated garlic solution that they just don't like. I havent seen poison ivy lately though. I think the goats have eaten it to death...! Ticks- the poutry keeps them in check. Even still, come prepared! You might hear a train whistle if one is passing through Hardwick, i like that its such an iconic sound, and it toots at all the road crossings in the area. The site is secluded. It is very dark at night. (Unless there’s a full moon!) A powerful flashlight would be great, maybe a couple of extra lanterns. I highly recommend arriving before sunset as there is no lighting in the camp. You will hear wildlife -at night, like owls, and coyotes, (which are afraid of us out here.) We also have porcupines, and we have even seen an eagle! (They live over at the Quabbin)There is a mocking bird that can be heard singing at night in June (when he is announcing the hatching of his brood) and he mimics a Robin, a Cardinal, a Blackbird and a [xxxxxxxx] up: Sometimes he starts at midnight and sings till 3am. Its totally awesome! Farm animals really do free range, you will hear and see goats (and they wear a bell), pigs and chickens, ducks, and friendly ornamental breed geese. Be sure not to feed them, it's better that they don't associate campers with food, or, you may have goats and chickens hounding you for food! Goats can develop bloat from eating food they aren't used to. ( they could die from that)And now we have added a fence- the goats still free range, but not in the camp area. We have large firewood bundles available at the farm. We would prefer you buy our firewood as not only does it keep our elm trees safe from Dutch Elm disease, it also helps support our farm! If you would like, there are fresh eggs available to buy at the farm. We are a small farm, and what we have available is what is in season, (and even then for a short time) for example rhubarb, asparagus, blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes...and theres even fresh flowers! Here are the local offerings: - The diner in Gilbertville called The Whistle Stop. (for breakfasts) Mimi’s has the best sandwiches and coffee, they’re right there on the Hardwick common where you could just picnic out on the grass! - Rose 32 Bakery has delicious fresh made breads and pastries, and also serves sandwiches and coffee. - Janine’s has fast food and ice cream, and they have live music on Fridays during the Summer. - Also there is Ragged Hill Orchard (and they make hard cider). Hardwick Winery, Lost Towns Brewery, Stone cow brewery is in Barre. Stone Cow has a farm store, has a restaurant, and theres a play area for the kids. - Gilbertville has one of the few remaining covered bridges in the state that is still in use! There is a walking trail (Fitness trail) along the Ware River here in the village. - Medicine River Pow-wow is held in August here in Gilbertville. - Rock House Reservation is a 10 minute drive from here, created by glaciers, a camp and hunting ground used by indigenous tribes, its a blend of geologic and human history. - You can go fishing or kayaking (if the water is high enough) on the Ware River, and the Quabbin Reservoir. Swift River in Belchertown is wonderful for kayaking, it’s only a 20 minute ride from here. - You can cycle into scenic Hardwick Village by just riding up our street to the far end, you can visit Mimi’s for a sandwich and a coffee. Also, during the Summer, there is a small farmers’ market on Sundays, 11am to 1pm. - The East Quabbin Land Trust here in Hardwick has beautiful views and birdwatching, (especially Bobolinks) - You can access the Mass Central Rail Trail -where you can cross a historic pony truss bridge. You can bike ride east to Newton from here and west to Northampton. - Ware has free Summer concerts at Grenville park, check online for dates and times. - We are 50 minutes away from Worcester, 45 minutes away from Springfield. So much to do here!! Or, do nothing! This is rural camping. Quite an experience! There is no lighting. We do have an [xxxxxxxx] you just stay at the camp or check out the lovely area, you will have given yourself a needed break from the noisy, busy world. We are considering a work/camp trade if you are interested, let me know. There are times we need extra help at the farm and you would camp for free, firewood included, ask for more details at the farm.

4WD recommended

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

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Rosy’s Horizon

100%

(5)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 20 ft

Rosy’s Horizon: A Primitive Hike-In Campsite at Rosy Goat Farm Tucked into the wild edge of Rosy Goat Farm, Rosy’s Horizon is our most secluded primitive campsite—designed for those who seek quiet solitude, open skies, and a deep connection with the land. Set on the far side of our 13-acre property in Gilbertville, Massachusetts, and about 600 feet (less than an 8th of a mile) from the entrance, this off-grid site offers a truly back-to-basics experience. Unplug, Unwind, and Walk Into Peace Access to Rosy’s Horizon begins with a peaceful walk through open pasture and lightly wooded trails. Though it’s a hike-in site for most vehicles, truck access is possible in dry conditions, making it easier to haul gear or set up a more extended stay. Either way, your journey in is part of the charm—an invitation to slow down and tune into the natural rhythm of the land. What to Expect This is a primitive site—no electricity, no running water, and no built structures. Just you, your tent, and nature. You’ll need to pack in all essentials and pack out everything you bring. A fire ring marks the heart of the site, perfect for quiet evenings under the stars. Ideal For: • Solo campers or couples looking to disconnect • Nature lovers and stargazers • Primitive and minimalist campers • Artists, writers, and seekers of stillness If you’re longing for a quiet corner of the world to call your own for a night or two, Rosy’s Horizon is waiting.

4WD recommended

Campfires allowed

No toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

Reviews

99% Recommend253 ratings · 214 reviews

Mixed feelings

· September 2026

Tent ·

Rosy Goat Farm

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