Featuring year-round recreation activities and plenty of great natural resources, Buffumville Lake is an excellent destination for RV lovers in southern Massachusetts. Located in Charlton, Buffumville Lake was built in 1958 by the U.S Army Corps Engineers to provide flood risk management for the communities that are located downstream.
The lake has a surface area of 200 acres, and there are almost 500 acres of land around it that are also managed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. The lake has different forested areas, including red oak, white oak, and hickory on the western side of the lake. On the east side, you will find white pine and hemlock, while on the edge of the lake there are red maple, alder, and birch. There is a diverse selection of wildlife in and around the lake, with common species such as deer, rabbits, and geese being regularly spotted.
The lake is the center of recreation within the area, and thanks to the lake being a warm-water fishery, there are largemouth bass, pickerel, horned pout, and bream to be caught. The lake is also great for swimming as there is a 300-foot long beach that is maintained as the main swimming area. Off the lake, there is an 18 hole professional disc golf course and 12 amateur holes, two picnic shelters, a volleyball court, and numerous hiking trails.
While there are no RV friendly campgrounds at Buffumville Lake, there is a three-acre island suitable for primitive group camping. If you want to stay in the area, there is an RV friendly campground at Wells State Park (around 11 and a half miles to the west) and West Thompson Lake State Park (which is about 18 miles to the south). Whether you are renting a rig or hauling your own, Buffumville Lake is open all year round and should be on your holiday list.
Getting to and from Buffumville Lake is quite easy thanks to the location in southern Massachusetts. The lake is right off Oxford Road, which runs through the town of Charlton. You can also access the park from the east by driving up through Dudley, or by going west through Oxford. If you are looking to stop in for some supplies and amenities before you reach the park there are plenty of places to stop, including Charlton (around four miles away), Oxford (around four miles away), and Webster (around six and a half miles away).
The roads in and around the park are well maintained, relatively flat, and wide. They should cause no problem for your RV and there shouldn't be any obstacles that would hinder your journey. During the wintertime, however, there is plenty of snow in and around the lake, so if you are traveling during this time you may want to call ahead and confirm that the roads will be open. You would hate to drive all the way to the lake and not be able to get in!
There are multiple places for you to park on the east side of the lake, including at Buffumville Lake Park and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers site.
One of the best camping options for those wanting to visit Buffumville Lake is to stay at the nearby Wells State Park Campground. The park is located around 11 miles to the west of the lake and has some excellent amenities that will make you feel right at home.
There are 39 RV friendly sites at the campground that are a mixture of pull-through and back-in gravel sites. RVs between 15 and 30 feet will be able to stay at the campground, and some of the sites also have views of Walker Pond. There are no hookups on any of the sites, but each space has a picnic table and a fire ring. You'll also find comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers located throughout the campground. Please note that the dumping station is permanently closed and you can contact the park office for information on the closest dump station. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am, and during this time all generators must remain off. Campers wishing to bring pets must show proof of current rabies vaccination upon check-in. Wells State Park Campground is open from mid-May to mid-October.
Another great RV camping option is to stay at the West Thompson Lake Campground. The campground is 18 miles south of Buffumville Lake and is known to be very quiet, well maintained, and peaceful. The campground is on the smaller side, but it is very accommodating to guests.
In total, 24 sites are available in three different categories: 11 basic sites, 11 premium sites that including electrical and water hookups, and two lean-to shelters. All of the sites at West Thompson Lake Campground offer great privacy, are wooded, and have a flat gravel surface. Other amenities include a comfort station with flush toilets and hot showers, children’s play area, basketball court, horseshoe pits, and a dump station. The campground is also pet-friendly, and you should be able to get cell phone reception on all of the major networks.
Due to the small size of the campground reservations at West Thompson Lake Campground are a must for you not to miss out on a site.
There is no better way to spend a hot summer's day at the lake than by jumping into it and going for a swim. Swimming at Buffumville Lake is made possible thanks to the sandy beach that is operated and maintained by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. The beach is 300 foot long, which means that there is plenty of room for you to stretch out and do some sun tanning before or after you go for a dip. When swimming at Buffumville Lake, remember to swim to your abilities as there will be no lifeguard at the beach.
Located near the sandy beach is a great spot for you and your friends or family to go picnicking during your visit to Buffumville Lake. There are two picnic shelters available for you to choose from and they are a great choice for RV lovers who want to have a picnic on a larger scale. The shelters can be reserved online and come equipped with tables and grills. If you have a smaller group you can also have a picnic at one of the 50 picnic sites on the banks of the lake.
Buffumville Lake is also a very popular place for water recreational activities that occur on top of it. Boating is allowed on both sides of the lake and there are no restrictions on what type of watercraft you can use. Larger boats can use the concrete boat launch located off Oxford Road while other smaller watercraft such as canoes and kayaks can be launched from wherever is easiest. Remember to bring your own boat to the park so that you don't miss out on the fun.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Buffumville Lake.
While there are no RV friendly campsite spots available at Buffumville Lake there is a very unique group camping opportunity. There is a three-acre island on the south end of Buffumville Lake that can be rented for up to a week for those looking to do some group camping.
The island is very primitive and only as four tent sites, a fire ring, woodshed, picnic tables, and an outhouse. The island is also only reachable by boat so you must be able to transport your camping belongings over to the island. Reservations for the island start on the first of January each and every year and can be made via email or detailed phone message.
If you love to fish, you will love visiting Buffumville Lake. The lake is a great fishing destination and you can cast out a line from both the banks of the lake and from boats on it. There are also two barrier-free fishing platforms located within the boat launching area off Oxford Road. There are many species of fish that call the lake home, including largemouth bass, pickerel, horned pout, and bream. Once the weather really turns you can also go ice fishing on the lake, but remember to check the ice thickness level before you get set up.
The recreational lands to the east of Buffumville Lake are home to a fantastic disc golf course. The course has 18 holes built for professionals and a further 12 that are great for those of all ages who are new to the sport. The professional course is known to be quite challenging, and multiple discs have been lost when trying to complete the course. If you are interested in either the professional or amateur course, remember to pack your own discs before you set off on your journey to the lake.
There is no better way to explore the environment around Buffumville Lake than by getting on your hiking shoes and hitting the trails. There are four loops trails located within the boundary of the lake and its surrounding lands that vary in distance from around half a mile to over seven miles. If you are looking for a long walk we recommend that Lakeshore Trail. This trail starts within the park area and extends around the lake shoreline.
