This was our first time up in the area. We spent the day at the "beach " area here. The views were absolutely spectacular. In addition, the water was super clean and clear. As other reviewers wrote, the area is very no frills. My 2 complaints were 1) the bath House was not open so we used the port-a-johns. They looked like they had not been cleaned out in months. All 4 were vile. 2) there were no signs about rules of the lake. Our children were using tubes and a plastic kayak. After 3 hours of using them by the beach, we were then reprimanded for using these items in the swimming/ ropes off area. Just wish that there was a sign that informed us as to what was and not allowed. Overall, had a wonderful day. read more

Tolland State Forest - Hiking Near Me - East Otis, Massachusetts

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Campground is nice, especially for tents. Not much for RVs although there are a few sites that accommodate... only one or two for waterfront and always booked. People that work here are super friendly. Kayaking in the reservoir was awesome!!! Beautiful coves and back bays. We even saw 2 eagles and a beaver swam right in front of us!! Down side... dump station and fresh water refill were closed. We had to travel 25 minutes and pay $10 to dump! Also Warning!!!!!.....TAKE EVERYTHING WITH YOU OR LOCK IT ALL UP IF YOU LEAVE FOR THE DAY. We spent a day sightseeing and came back to all of our wood, our tablecloth, tablecloth clips..all gone. We almost left our camp chairs and table behind but luckily decided to pack them and take with us for the day. So this is a family friendly campground and during the week we had no problem but obviously some low-life thieves came for Saturday night. Put a damper on our last day of vacation. Usually people who camp are cool but you always get a couple of jerks. Just beware. So updating my review. We found the thieves. They're so stupid they had our stuff out in the open. Anyway confronted them (they said they thought we had left... Really? So you take our stuff before 7 PM and then you don't say anything when we return ....and you're right across the street ??wow!!) . Hopefully they won't steal next time! they're back at this campground read more

The campgrounds at Tolland State Forest are some of the best in the Massachusetts DCR's arsenal of campgrounds. Tolland was voted America's #1 Family Campground in 2009, and with their well-maintained and functional facility, it's easy to see why. Built on a small peninsula of land that juts into the largest recreational body of water in Massachusetts, Tolland boasts excellent swimming, fishing, hiking and boating opportunities, as well as some unique and cool campsites for campers of all ages and skill levels. We came out and reserved 4 sites for a camping-fishing-relaxing bachelor party weekend, and we were all pretty pleased with the results. The staff were friendly and helpful, and stayed out of our way. We were within easy walking distance of bathrooms and sinks for washing dishes, though the shower in our area was broken. I wasn't planning to shower anyway, though. Be warned that the area around Tolland State Forest is not very active. The town of East Otis sports just 1,200 year-round residents, and there are few nearby stores, all of which close around 9. There are, however, a couple of nice general stores, and a gas station that sells organic groceries. If you're inclined to head west on the Pike out of Boston, Tolland is a great spot for a weekend trip, whether you're looking to chill or to get out there and do stuff. read more

Great camping on the water! Bring your kayak it's really beautiful on the water and fishing is good too. We hiked the trail and that was a nice little 2.5 mile trek through the forest with some hills but not too steep. Not too much closeby so bring everything so you don't have to make a run. Can't bring firewood in due to that destructive beetle and the only trouble we had was with the wood you buy at the gate, it was damp and most bundles had mold. Therefore it was hard to light and smoked a ton. Hard on the asthma. Told them at the gate and they tried to help find dryer wood but its stores in a big metal container so I get why there is moisture all closed in and humid. Advice, charcoal starter or something to help the flames take or you may never have your fire. Really enjoyed the stay. One shower and three stalls and the water up at the bathhouse is not potable so bring your water in. I didn't see a spigot anywhere like most campgrounds but since we brought water I didn't have to go crazy trying to find water. Take that advice and you won't have to worry. It's a pet friendly place. They had a fishing derby the day we left so that was an early revelry with boats starting up to go out fishing but no matter, still very nice. read more

Many of the sites at Tolland State Forest Campground are very close to the water and really feel like you're camping in the wilderness. Other sites are right on the road, and very public - but if you book enough in advance you have your choice. The reservoir that the campground is based around is crystal clear, although heavily trafficked by power boats & jet skis. Our site, #33, was about 60 yards away from where we had to park, down a pretty steep incline with no beaten trail. Fine for us but I wouldn't bring grandma to the top loop of sites - hauling your gear up and down the hill is a bit of a pain. Once you're set up you have a great view of the water and you learn to appreciate the distance you have from your car and other people. The one thing we learned about East Otis MA is that there is literally nothing there but forest and a few campgrounds. The nearest store was about 15-20 mins away and sold everything you needed at pretty marked up prices (expected). I would recommend bringing kayaks if you have them - we hoped to rent but didn't find a place to do so. If you're content with staying-put and just camping out, this is the place for you. read more

When camping this weekend with my family and this place is so nice and family friendly. Most of the sites are near the water. The comfort stations are always clean and well supplied, and the beach/ lake is so clean and not too crowded. My 2 year old had a great time, and that's all I really wanted because it was his first camping trip. read more

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Great fall camping. Friendly staff. Clean comfort stations. Shade at almost every site. Some sites can be rocky and full of roots and on a slope and the area to place your tent (tent only sites) would be for smaller tents. Car was parked about 20 feet away up slope from tent. Very quiet except for the occasional fishermen or jet ski. Dishwashing stations a plus at bathrooms. read more

Tolland State Forest - Standing by water, looking up to site - Hiking Near Me - East Otis, Massachusetts

I've gone to Tolland State Forest for day trips to swim at Otis Reservoir since I was barely able to walk, which has always been a treat. But I hadn't camped there until just this week... and I'm SO glad we did. The whole area is gorgeous, beautiful and clean. Our camping site was right by the water, and though it had a slight slope to it and parking was a bit away from the site, it's not like I couldn't use the exercise anyway! It's absolutely perfect for families, with quiet-time starting at 10, fires out by midnight. Not some Animal House-esque party place where all the boozers gravitate to (no alcohol's allowed, though it was obvious some broke that rule, lol). It was always quiet at night, with only light chatter and laughter from other campers, which added to the relaxing atmosphere. They provide nice campfire set-ups and sell bundles of firewood for $5; bring a cooler and cooking equipment, tear up papers and leftover trash of empty boxes, collect twigs for tinder and you've got pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Add the fact that their "Comfort Stations" are kept super tidy and clean AND some of them having really nice hot shower set-ups, and you're all set. We'll definitely be planning to go NEXT summer! read more

While we didn't camp here they do have a first class set up here but be prepared to pay $$ for it. You can Kayak the lake that is basically next door. The charm of this place is Otis Falls. While technically a man-made waterfall you would never know it when you arrive after a short hike down hill from where the damn is located. When they release the water in October it powers the falls to an almost 80 foot drop. We went in December and while there was ice and snow around most of the falls were still following pretty strong. You could probably also hike the nearby forest but for us the waterfalls were why we came here. Unlike with the two other waterfalls we went to that day, the signage for Tolland State Forest is pretty good. read more

Stayed here midweek for 2 days during a heatwave, at site 9. We loved it. I had 2 small boys with me, so I was looking for a waterfront site with swimming at the site. They had a great time playing in the water, and I could do stuff around the camp and keep them in site (probably 25-35 feet away). The entire campground is like a peninsula in Otis Reservoir and site 9 is like it's own little peninsula. The bathroom was less than a one minute walk up the "driveway" to the main road, and was clean and had a dishwashing sink. Drinking water was nearby most sites. There is also a beach area and you can either walk there or park your car there, that was clean as well. Check in was a breeze and employees in the office and maintenance workers around the park were all very friendly and informative. The best thing during this heatwave was the fact that there was a constant breeze and that kept it from being a miserable, humid experience. read more

Tolland State Forest - Hiking Near Me - East Otis, Massachusetts

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I love coming here! One of the few state campgrounds in the area where alcohol is allowed. The campers are ok to do their own thing. My dog loves it as it is a leash free park (they tell you leash and rabies are required but nobody ever checks and rangers don't say anything if your dog runs free. My girlfriend doesn't like it so much because she says the bathrooms aren't clean Me and my buddies have come the last couple of years ever since they changed the alcohol ban. Great place for weekend party and early morning fishing! read more

This was the first State park we've ever camped in! It has set the bar really high! Camping spots on the water are phenomenal. You have to be comfortable with the noise of motorboats, jet skis and the sometimes loud people on them, but if you can deal with that, you'll have a wonderful time. There's not much in the surrounding area, so count on driving for a bit if you need certain amenities but if you want to get away from it all (and Tmobile makes that easy because there is not data in much of the area) Tolland is the place to go. read more

Such a nice place to spend the day! It was our first visit here and we're looking forward to camping this upcoming summer! The waterfront is beautiful and there's plenty to adventure through. Truly huge! Highly recommend to anyone looking to get outdoors for the day or for a weekend camping trip! read more

I was driving from Watkins Glen to Boston and was thinking about finding a Walmart to park and sleep in my car. Once I crossed into Massachusetts, I stopped at the first service station and looked for a frugal campground, ideally around water because water makes me happy. I found this park by looking at a map and seeking large bodies of water. I called Tolland State Forest after 8pm and conveniently they didn't close until 10pm. Unfortunately the park took me about 40-minutes away from my route, but I was so tired and the idea of waking up near a huge lake motivated me. I was given site 34 but highly recommend site 36. It was a weekday, so not too crowded but also not empty - which is nice when you see all the bear warnings. Unfortunately the sites were not flat but it didn't rain. I passed out, slept well, and woke up to the beautiful water. By site 36 there's easy access to the water, so you can pitch a kayak. I snorkeled from here for a bit and then prepared to leave. I was surprised at how pleasant the shower was - it doesn't look like much, but was clean, had great water pressure (almost like a back massage!) and again - wasn't busy. I was wondering if I could arrange my stay to sleep there again on my way back home to Virginia. Beautiful, lake, not to buggy (bring insect repellent), staff was friendly, quiet. read more

My family has been camping here for over 30 years. Just stayed during the last week of July 2012 and bears are visiting this campground now so please be diligent about the precautions to keep coolers, food and cooking stuff, cosmetics (anything with an odor) locked in your vehicle. Was also here the first week of July when no wildlife warning signs were posted and no bears were seen. This trip, saw a bear twice, once from a distance and once as it was checking out our site from about 10 feet away. Bear never came into our site while we were there but did visit other sites while the campers were there. Unfortunately not all campers here were follow the bear safety guidelines. Keep Tolland State Forest safe for humans and wildlife by not attracting bears to your site! That being said, it is beautiful and clean. Waterfront campsites book up early and are closer together but access to water from your site is worth a bit less privacy in my opinion. read more