Tully Lake Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Tully Lake Recreation Area, located in Royalston, Massachusetts, offers visitors a serene and picturesque getaway surrounded by nature.
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Summary
This summary incorporates information from multiple independent sources to ensure accuracy.
Reasons to Visit:
1. Scenic Beauty: Tully Lake is nestled in the heart of the Tully Valley, showcasing stunning views of the lake, rolling hills, and lush forests.
2. Outdoor Activities: The area offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
3. Wildlife Watching: Nature enthusiasts will be delighted to spot a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, beavers, turtles, and numerous bird species.
4. Peaceful Environment: Tully Lake Recreation Area provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing visitors to unwind amidst the tranquil surroundings.
5. Educational Opportunities: The area offers interpretive programs, guided hikes, and workshops, providing visitors with the chance to learn about the local ecosystem and history.
Points of Interest:
1. Tully Lake Dam: The Tully Lake Dam is a notable landmark and provides a scenic backdrop for photos.
2. Tully Lake Loop Trail: This moderate hiking trail offers beautiful views of the lake and surrounding forests. It is approximately 9 miles long and is popular among hikers.
3. Camping Areas: The recreation area offers various camping options, including tent sites, RV sites, and even cabins, allowing visitors to enjoy overnight stays in the wilderness.
4. Tully Lake Beach: Visitors can relax and swim at the designated beach area, ensuring a refreshing experience during the warmer months.
Interesting Facts:
1. Tully Lake is a man-made lake formed by the construction of the Tully Lake Dam in the 1940s.
2. The recreation area is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who maintain the dam and oversee the preservation of the natural environment.
3. Tully Lake is an integral part of the larger Tully River watershed, which spans around 19,000 acres.
4. The area boasts a diverse range of plant life, including various species of ferns, wildflowers, and hardwood trees.
Best Time to Visit:
The Tully Lake Recreation Area can be enjoyed year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. Spring and summer are ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and water sports. The fall foliage in the surrounding forests is particularly stunning, making autumn a popular season to visit. Winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
It is essential to verify the accuracy of the information provided by referring to official websites and publications related to Tully Lake Recreation Area.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Tully Lake
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Falls Brook Shelter
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North Dennison Camping Area
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Lake Dennison State Park
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East Dennison Camping Area
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Beaman Pond Campground
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Royalston State Forest
Warwick State Forest
Uptown Park
Fish Park
Bearsden Forest Conservation Area