86 Winchendon Rd.

Baldwinville MA 01436
978 939-8962

Otter River State Forest is a popular camping and day-use facility in a beautiful area of north central Massachusetts. Its developed facilities are centered on Beaman Pond and include 85 campsites, a swimming beach, ball field and picnic areas. Yurt camping is also available. Otter River State Forest was the first area acquired by the State Forest Commission in 1915.

History
Some of the forest area was cleared in the nineteenth century for small farms. After the state acquired the land, it was reforested with groves of pines which were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The CCC also built the first campground sites in the area. The vegetation is now a transition zone between three forest types: oak and hickory, northern hardwood, and the pines. The forest is home to numerous wild flowers and shrubs, deer, chipmunks, catbirds, warblers and vireos.

Trail Maps

Summer Use               Winter Use

Campground map

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Download printable version (pdf)

Things to know before you go…
• Campground Office Hours: 10am–10pm
• Camping Season: mid-May through mid-October
• Swimming is permitted from 10am to 8pm at designated buoy areas only.

Park Directions

The forest is located in north central Massachusetts.

From the East/Northeast/Southeast

• Take I-495 to exit 29, Rt. 2 west
• Drive 31 miles on Rt. 2 west to exit 20, Baldwinville Rd.
• Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Baldwinville Rd.
• Drive 2.5 miles on Baldwinville Rd. and turn right onto Rt. 202 north.
• Drive 1.2 miles on Rt. 202 north.
• Park entrance is on left.

OR

• Take 1-90 (MA PIKE) west to exit 10, I-290 north.
• Drive 7.3 miles on I-290 north to exit 19, I-190 north.
• Drive 18.75 miles on I-190 north and merge onto Rt. 2 west.
• Drive 19.5 miles on Rt. 2 west to exit 20.
• Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Baldwinville Rd.
• Drive 2.5 miles on Baldwinville Rd. and turn right onto Rt. 202 north.
• Drive 1.2 miles on Rt. 202 north.
• Park entrance is on left.

From the West

• Take Rt. 2 east to exit 20, Baldwinville Rd.
• Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Baldwinville Rd.
• Drive 2.5 miles on Baldwinville Rd. and turn right onto Rt. 202 north.
• Drive 1.2 miles on Rt. 202 north.
• Park entrance is on left.

From the Southwest/Northwest

• Take I-91 to Exit 27, Rt. 2 east.
• Drive 31.5 miles on Rt. 2 east to exit 20, Baldwinville Rd.
• Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Baldwinville Rd.
• Drive 2.5 miles on Baldwinville Rd. and turn right onto Rt. 202 north.
• Drive 1.2 miles on Rt. 202 north.
• Park entrance is on left.

Other State Parks
Nickerson State Park and Shawme-Crowell State Forest also offer yurt camping.