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Franklin State Forest

The best camping in Franklin State Forest, MA

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Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

William

3 weeks ago

16 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Fernwood on Alan F.’s Land

Always a pleasant stay when I camp there. Site is very clean and plenty of trails to wander on and explore. Alan is an excellent host.

Joseph

November 2025

24 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Inn On The Horse Farm

Great experience. Met the host right when I arrived. Very convenient location to Concord and all of the Thoreau sites. I was left alone (which I always like when camping), and the site had a nice view off the back for stargazing at night. Would use it again if I am in the area.

Jaap

November 2025

22 ft Class B

1 night at Cozy Wooded Nook

We had a great night at this hipcamp and enjoyed the iron fire pit.The place was well maintained and Kathleen is a great host.

Anna

November 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

7 nights at Turtle Path Camping Site

Emily and her husband were very kind and accommodating. They have a lovely property and, while tricky to back into, it was a great place to be for a week. The woods behind the house are nice and there are many trails nearby to hike and explore. Quiet, pleasant , and beautiful area all around.

Kristen

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Glamping with the Wild Horses

We had an amazing time! When we got there we were greeted by Jody & she was AMAZING! She helped us get settled in and made sure we knew that if there was anything we needed we could call her. The beds were incredibly comfortable, it downpoured so hard for most of the night and the dome was great! It didn’t let a single drop of rain in. There’s a wood stove in the dome and it was enough to keep us toasty warm even though it was in the low 30’s, they also provide tons of warm comfy blankets. There was plenty of wood chopped right outside the domes so if you run out it’s very close. We were able to go and help feed the herd and had the opportunity to give plenty of scratches! In the morning we booked the hike with the horses with Tatianna & Chris which was amazing! We were actually in the areas with the gorgeous herd and were able to get hands on again! I honestly could go on all night talking about how amazing it was but in my opinion the very best part of everything was the fact that every single cent that I spent while we were there went right back into caring for and maintaining the herd. When I was looking for a place to go that’s what sealed the deal and made the decision to pick this place very easy!! I highly HIGHLY recommend checking it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

Jessica

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Peaceful Convenience

It was a perfect spot to stop off and refuel after a week on the road in our van. Thank you for having us Danielle!

Stacey

November 2025

31 ft Class C

3 nights at Cozy Wooded Nook

This was a great place to stay. Kathleen couldn’t have been more hospitable and the property is wildly private and absolutely beautiful in the Fall. We hope to stay here again someday.

The Barn! that sleeps 16+ people and just shows how gorgeous this property is.

Daniel

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Heaven Sent Barn!

Loved staying upstairs in the barn! It kept us protected from the wind and rain and had all we needed for a quick getaway. Highly recommended!

Amy

November 2025

21 ft campervan

With pets

3 nights at Moose's Midnight Getaway

Easy to book and set up camp. Instructions/guidelines clear and eady to follow. Host is responsive.

Oxana

November 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Vintage camper, waterfront &firepit

It’s a beautiful place to get away from the city, recommended.

Olga

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Fernwood on Alan F.’s Land

This is the second time we camp at Alan’s place. It’s beautiful, quiet and relaxing. We love coming here. It has all the supplies you need for a good setup.

Kimberly

October 2025

35 ft Class A

With pets

29 nights at Moose's Midnight Getaway

Extremely peaceful site, very quiet. Exactly what we needed!! We were there for the whole month of October without any issues. Tristan is so nice and friendly. Would absolutely recommend this site!!

Marlo

October 2025

1 night at Inn On The Horse Farm

I absolutely loved this country setting and historic 1800’s cottage. It’s basically a whole house to yourself. You will want for nothing. Just bring yourself, clothes & food. There are pots, pans, dishes, utensils and everything you need for a relaxing stay. I sat in the kitchen most of the time, to watch the beautiful horse right outside the sliding glass door. Moonfield I believe his name is. I walked around the property and took in all the charm of this place. It’s decorated appropriately and suits this cottage perfectly. The queen bed was the most comfortable sleep Ive had in a long time. Joan responded to any questions I had with lighting speed. This was the perfect getaway and I can’t wait to book again in the future.

Leah

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wildcat

Kaedra was very kind and we enjoyed the site. The ground was soft and we had a lovely fire. Added bonus that it backs up onto a beautiful preserve and is walkable from the site. We would definitely stay again!

Erika

October 2025

3 nights at Inn On The Horse Farm

Had a pleasant three night stay. Clean and well equipped. Felt very safe and comfortable as a single female traveler.

Christian

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Heaven Sent Barn!

We overnighted here for my sons birthday fishing trip. 3x 13 year olds and dad. Jocelyn was an amazing host. Super friendly and approachable. The barn is a great place for cold nights and rain. It’s a great way to plan a camping trip without worrying about rain or weather. If you are into trout/small mouth fishing the Natchaug is right across the street and there are many many walks all around. Great location will definitely be back again!

Waldde

October 2025

1 night at Glamping with the Wild Horses

The property and wild horses was breath taking the whole experience exceeded our expectations. The staff and owners were beyond friendly and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. Would definitely come back again and recommend for anyone that has a love for horses and nature to come and have a stay.

Rosemary

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at Wildcat

The campsite is connected to an awesome trail, I was super late and Kaedra was very courteous. Really lovely spot especially for this time of year

Meg

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Cozy Wooded Nook

fabulous hospitality, thoughtful touches around the site, beautiful land, and convenient location! this was the perfect spot for us - i wish we could have stayed longer!

Thalia

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Inn On The Horse Farm

Nice tucked away house with a horse on property. The owner was very accommodating and despite having multiple rooms in the same house we were still able to have our privacy. Dog friendly and self check-in process.

Top-rated campgrounds near Franklin State Forest

Magpie and Jaebird's Little A-frame

97%

(157)

5.1mi from Franklin State Forest · 2 sites · Lodging

Follow us on Instagram @shitefootfarms As always we are excited and can't wait to share our place with you! We are a small farmette with goats, chickens, ducks, fruits, veggies, and Irish Wolfhounds. The 1.3 acre parcel across the street from the house and farm has a forested peninsula that the A-frame is located on. Our street ends in a small stream that continues to separate the farmstead from the A-frame site. Come stay in our tiny rustic A frame cabin built of mostly reclaimed materials. Enjoy being across the stream and over the bridge from the main house on a private peninsula. Enjoy the privacy of a "single site" camp! Use the fire pit, grill, outdoor wood stove, single burner butane stove or umm the bathroom :) without having to leave your site! Please be aware we are in town and you may hear road noise, lawn mowers, dogs, ect. You may also see and hear wildlife ex; deer, beavers, ducks, muskrats, rabbits, geese, foxes, and coyotes. We encourage native plants and work to provide a sanctuary for many threatened bird species. The cabin is 100sq. feet with sloping interior walls the flip up side wall is permanently open and screened in. There is no running water or electricity so unplug and unwind. A place to plug in and the water spigot a short stroll from your cabin in the driveway The cabin has a a full size mattress with sheets, blankets, throws and pillows. Lanterns, cooking utensils, camp mugs and camp coffee pot are provided. Please request the cast iron skillet and butane burner, it will not be in the cabin if you do not ask for it. You are also welcome to set up your own tent. Please note cleared space is limited and the tent should be a 1-3 person smaller tent. Outside on the deck are tiki torches, woodstove and bistro table. There is a hammock, picnic table, and 2 sets of outdoor chairs at your site. We do not have a swimming hole but the town beach is 5 minutes away and requires a day pass. If you forget something you are a short walk to Cumbies, and several farms, bakeries and a large grocer are a very short drive away. Venture farther (10 minutes) to one of the nearby hiking trails. We are within 15 minutes of the Blackstone Gorge, Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Cornier Woods, Franklin State Forest, Wojcik Farm, Cook's Valley Farm, the New England Bonsai Museum, Diamond Hill Vineyards, Caroline's Cannabis, Shire Conservation Area, New England Country Club, and many stables. The Commuter Rail to Boston, Wrentham Premium Outlets, and a Drive-in Theater are within 30 minutes. Use us as a base to explore Blackstone Valley, Boston and Worcester!! Please let us know if you need something we may have it, we want you to enjoy your stay!! Follow us on Instagram for updates on our favorite local spots for hiking, eating, entertainment and shopping. We Support Black Lives Matter, the LBGTQ+, AAPI and BIPoC communities @shitefootfarms. Visit our Instagram profile, follow and dm for a 15% discount code

Turtle Path Camping Site

96%

(40)

12mi from Franklin State Forest · 1 site · RV

Our driveway is located about 3 miles from the start of the Boston Marathon, 8 minutes from 495, but, down a country road. We find our property to be quite peaceful. We do have crickets and frogs to lull you to sleep and early birds to greet you in the morning.  Keep an eye out for turtles! We are a few hundred yards from either Upton State Forest or Lake Whitehall. Lake Whitehall is popular with boaters (speed limit enforced) and is stocked with fish. No swimming. There is a public boat ramp on the other side of the lake. We often put in our kayaks at the entrance close to our house. We hike, mountain bike and picnic in these parks. It's really beautiful.  There is a 24-hour grocery store 2 miles down the road.  The gravel campsite is located at the barn end of our driveway in front of the red barn. There is a little privacy from the house, but, we may need to get into the barn from time to time. We have a 30amp and water hookup at the barn. If planning on using electric please add one "electric hookup" extra to each night of your stay BEFORE finishing the request to book, it's really difficult to add it after. Please plan to bring 50' of hose and/or 25ft of electrical cord if using hookups. There is wifi, BUT, it's pretty weak at the barn. Definitely not strong enough for streaming! Our Ibex camper may or may not be parked next to the barn depending on if we are out camping!  We do not accept car campers. Turtle Path also has a Guest Suite. Find us on that other website! Shortly after we moved in we discovered a large snapping turtle on his way from Lake Whitehall to the creek at the back of our property. Our neighbor told us that's the turtle's usual route. Turtle won our hearts that day.

Vintage camper, waterfront &firepit

94%

(110)

18mi from Franklin State Forest · 3 sites · Lodging

Get outside and bring the dog! Glamping tiny house style. Vintage RV with attached enclosed room. Your own waterfront beach with campfire pit.  Dogs welcome! Very close to neighbors in a quite secluded neighborhood, 10 miles from Boston. Experience the natural beauty of Massachusetts just a few miles outside of Boston, Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres with 125 miles of trails to explore through forests and wetlands, up hills and more.   Peace and serenity 19 miles from downtown Boston MA.   Bring the dog for swimming. Kayak and canoe in the back yard at the waters edge. Marshmallows and firewood included. Linens included. Space in backyard to pitch an extra tent for guests.  Parking on lot in front of camper. Hiking trails around the lake.

Inn On The Horse Farm

92%

(18)

21mi from Franklin State Forest · 2 sites · RVs, Lodging

Guest have nine acres to wander around with old stone walls, towering majestic trees of all kinds and a Pond. There are two horses in the pastures, an Arabian Stallion and a Quarterhorse Mare. The walking trail goes all around the nine acres, past the horses in their pastures, past the pond where you can sit and enjoy the views.

Patti's Beaver Pond

100%

(11)

24mi from Franklin State Forest · 1 site · RV

We are in a suburban area (Lincoln, MA) which is next to Concord and Lexington. This is a historical area with Lexington Battle Green, historical houses and civil war reenactments. We are close to Walden Pond and many hiking and bike trails. We are also close to the communter train to Boston and surrounds. Email if you need additional info about how to get into other towns.

Ponderings at White Pond

98%

(53)

24mi from Franklin State Forest · 1 site · Lodging

Once written about by Henry David Thoreau in Walden. He called it one of the "emerald eyes of the world" . A magical place yet so close to Boston.Learn more about this land:This winter we are offering up our cottage with an additional winterized tent for studio or additional guests.  You need to walk about 100 yards down a gravel path to get to our secluded home. It is heated with two pellet stoves. One in the bedroom wing, the other in the livingroom/kitchen.  Skating, ice fishing, and crosscountry skiing right outside your door when the weather is right. Peace and calm when the weather is harsh. The house is fully stocked with cooking. linens, and a bathroom.  During the summer, glamping in our greenhouse-tent for peace and tranquility.  It is under a canopy of trees with a cool pond breeze prevailing. The bed and linens are first rate for a very comfortable stay. There are shelves, potable water and a desk within. It is heated in the cool temps and fan cooled in the warmer days.  There is a canoe and paddleboard available to borrow. The main house is attached by decks, the bathroom is shared with the main house and there is a kitchen for you to use. The 40 acre pond is 65 feet deep. It is a kettle pond which is spring fed with no river inlets to pollute it.  Access is a little tricky with 100 yard hike from the parking area down a steep slope.  The pond is stocked with bass and trout for great fishing. The birds are amazing.  Henry David Thoreau wrote about White Pond in his book, Walden as the "emerald eyes of the world."  This is a place that magic happens.

Peaceful Convenience

100%

(53)

24mi from Franklin State Forest · 2 sites · Lodging

Come experience New England, embrace the silence, enjoy this 2.5 Acres property Abutting over 100 acres of protected wetlands with access to a private Home; bathroom, screened in porch, use of kitchen for coffee etc. all to enjoy. A babbling brook, hammock trees, peaceful, and serene. The surrounding area is a right to farm community with local beautiful farms within five minutes in every direction property is on a known bike route (2 bikes available for use) The town host a wonderful winery local coffee shop and hiking trails (map book on site) multiple area conservation lands. Bolton is known for its apple farms in the fall for picking and spring time blossoms. August through September harvest (my favorite) plenty of pick your own everything! We have great historic towns surrounding us like concord, Harvard and Hudson voted best small town in America, so much history, dinning etc. cross country skiing. Convenient location to Boston. If looking for an stress free escape the home also offers 2 guest rooms available for rent within a meditative shared space. Fire pit outdoors, fireplace in doors.

Secluded spot in nature

94%

(44)

27mi from Franklin State Forest · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

We have a lovely site to camp right in the city. It is secluded and surrounded by nature. But still close to all the conveniences Worcester has to offer. We have a fun yard with an in-ground trampoline and zip line. The heated pool is available until late October. Pool is an added amenity and must be booked in advance. It is also listed on Swimply.

Milk Thistle Farm

96%

(34)

29mi from Franklin State Forest · 4 sites · Tents

With the original home built in 1785, Milk Thistle farm is on the historic register and is comprised of the main house and 5 acres of land. It is run as a small non-profit animal sanctuary and is home to rescued chickens, goats, and pigs, as well as two humans and their dog and cat companions. The main property is fenced in, with a large back field great for tent camping, and an orchard to explore that can also double as hammock camping. There is parking for cars and bikes. We try to minimize our impact on the environment as much as possible, and encourage our guests to compost, recycle, and dispose of waste accordingly. Please note we have dogs, including a Livestock Guardian Dog that does bark to alert us of new people and warn off would be predators. We will happily introduce him to any guests to minimize disruptions. Check us out on instagram @milk_thistle_farm

Rehovot Glen

100%

(16)

30mi from Franklin State Forest · 2 sites · Tents

*** CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR SITE UPGRADES *** We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to being able to reopen soon! Rehovot Glen is an 11 acre property that consists of a group of small valleys, or glens, that flow down from the rear of the property to the brook that runs along it’s length; the brook flows over a set of small falls before dividing and flowing into wetlands. The setting allows for many camping spots while maintaining a sense of privacy. Located close to the start line for the PMC, and a short distance from the Mid State Trail and other hiking and biking trails, as well as state parks and recreation areas for fishing swimming and boating.

Wildcat

99%

(48)

31mi from Franklin State Forest · 1 site · Tent

Campsites are situated in the wooded area on our property land that integrates into hundreds of acres of conservation land with hiking trails that are also great for XC skiing, kettle ponds, and wetlands. The property is surrounded on 3 sides by conservation land with trails, 45 minutes from Boston and 10 minute drive to groceries, stores and restaurants. The house is right off a country road with our property and conservation land both across the street and behind our house. The area is in the heart of New England and is beautiful at all times of year. Minutes from Rte 495 and 2, we are along a popular bike route, 10 minutes from Carlson Orchards and the bistro/cafe Harvard General Store. We have goats, chickens, and lambs that guests can say hi to. Please note: Guests may camp only on the terrace unless otherwise approved. There is a woodpile next to the parking - we regret thqt we cannot share this with guests but it’s our winter heat source!

Glamp Frogmore

100%

(82)

32mi from Franklin State Forest · 2 sites · Lodging

Set on our private 35 acre property in Rhode Island, Glamp Frogmore features two beautiful wooded glampsites (The Pines and The Ferns) that border the 295 acre Maxwell Mays Audubon Refuge. Take a 5 minute walk down a private path that will bring you to our small pond where you can play horseshoes or corn hole, kids can paddle around in the canoe or rowboat, sit and enjoy nature in our Adirondack chairs, or bring a picnic. Glamp Frogmore is 30 minutes from Newport, beautiful beaches, Narragansett, the city of Providence, Watch Hill, and Mystic, CT. Close to local breweries, vineyards, bike trails, and hikes. 2.5 hours to NYC and 1.5 hours to Boston.

The best camping in Franklin State Forest, MA guide

Overview

About

Camping near Franklin State Forest is an invitation to immerse oneself in the raw beauty of nature while indulging in a variety of outdoor activities. This expansive 843-acre forest is a treasure trove for those who love to explore the great outdoors on foot, bike, or even skis. As you venture into the forest, you'll be greeted by miles of trails and fire roads that beckon hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Whether you're an avid hiker seeking solitude among the trees or a mountain biker eager for a challenge, Franklin State Forest has something for every outdoor lover. The designated loop for off-roading adds an extra layer of adventure for those looking to kick up some dirt. For mountain biking aficionados, the forest presents a unique dual experience. One section, close to the Grove Street parking lot, is a haven for traditional mountain biking with singletrack trails winding up a medium-grade hill. Venture further, and you'll find a vast area shaped by motorized vehicles, offering unconventional challenges that promise to test your biking skills. The powerline serves as a clear demarcation between these two distinct biking experiences. Moreover, the forest's proximity to the Southern New England Trunkline Trail further amplifies its appeal, providing campers with even more avenues to explore. So, if you're yearning for a Franklin State Forest camping adventure, pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable experience amidst nature's splendor.

When to go

The best times to visit Franklin State Forest are during the spring bloom and the fall foliage, when nature's palette is at its most vibrant. Summer offers lush greenery and ideal conditions for all activities, while winter's snow provides perfect cross-country skiing opportunities. Avoid visiting during heavy rainfalls or severe weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Know before you go

Trails are open from dawn to dusk, offering ample time for exploration.
Free parking is available on-site, though spaces may be limited.
Off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) are permitted on marked trails from early May to late November.
For a unique experience, educational programs are available to enhance your visit.
Remember to respect the forest's restrictions to preserve its beauty for all.

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