Tent camping near Abington, Massachusetts offers coastal and wooded opportunities within 30-40 miles of town. The region experiences warm summers with July average temperatures of 82°F and cold winters, making May through October the optimal camping season. Fall camping provides colorful foliage viewing while spring brings wildflowers and milder temperatures to campsites throughout the area.
What to do
**Beach activities: Visit Sandy Neck Beach Park's primitive campsites, located 45 miles from Abington, for swimming and beachcombing. One visitor noted, "The water is on the cold side but it's worth it. Beach camping is a very special thing."
**Blackberry picking: Explore forest edges during mid-August at Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor Islands State Park. A camper mentioned, "In mid-August we collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks."
**Kayaking: Bring your own kayak to paddle Wakefield Pond at Buck Hill Campground or explore the Boston Harbor Islands. "You can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore. This is a great adventure for kids," explains a Martha H. who stayed at Peddocks Island.
**Hiking: Try the nearby trails at Breakheart Reservation when staying at Camp Nihan Education Center. A visitor shared, "Breakheart Reservation had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."
What campers like
**Seclusion: Cape Ann's tent sites provide privacy while maintaining community access. A camper remarked, "The campsite we loved; it was clean & secluded enough but close enough to others to meet & greet if you wanted."
**Beach sunsets: The beaches at Sandy Neck Beach Park offer unparalleled sunset views with campfire permits. "Fires are permitted at the beach and I was lucky to witness a really beautiful beach sunset," shared one backpacker.
**Island exploration: Washburn Island at Waquoit Bay Reserve provides unique island camping with water views. A visitor explained, "Small island with 10 camp site (one group) all with views of the water very quiet at night. Fire pits at each site with wood on sale at the ranger hut."
**Wildlife viewing: Observe local fauna at Cape Ann Camp Site, where one camper reported, "Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc."
What you should know
**Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close between Columbus Day and mid-May. At Waquoit Bay Reserve, a camper noted, "Campsites can be reserved 6 months in advance so it is tough to get one during the summer months but great camping in May, September, and October as well."
**Transportation challenges: Boston Harbor Islands requires planning for ferry transportation. "Figuring out the schedule is the trickiest part, not least because they don't make the inter-island ferry schedule as readily accessible," explains one visitor who detailed the process.
**Reservation windows: Plan 6-7 months ahead for popular sites. For Peddocks Island, a camper advised, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings."
**Water access: Some sites require you bring your own water. At Sandy Neck, "The park staff will send someone to the sites to deliver 5 gallons of water for free as well as firewood for a small fee so you don't have to carry those resources."
Tips for camping with families
**Terrain considerations: Camp Nihan Education Center offers child-friendly camping close to Boston. A parent shared, "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
**Beach accessibility: Choose Cape Ann Camp Site for family beach trips. One camper noted, "Great beach access and friendly staff," while another mentioned it's "very close to a nice beach."
**Boat adventures: Boston Harbor ferries can be an exciting part of the trip. A family camper explained, "Just getting to the island is a fun adventure. The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails."
**Swimming options: Breakheart Reservation near Camp Nihan has monitored swimming. A visitor mentioned, "Breakheart Reservation had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty," making it safer for families with children.
Tips from RVers
**Limited hookup options: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Abington offer minimal RV accommodations. At Cape Ann Camp Site, one RVer noted, "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi," while pointing out that "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites."
**Size restrictions: Many coastal campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. A Cape Ann visitor mentioned the campground is "clean but very rustic" with facilities "on the old side," though they accommodate various RV sizes.
**Beach parking: Sandy Neck allows self-contained camping on the beach with proper permits. "You need a sandy neck ORV pass and a self contained camper (toilet) to camp here, but it's very worth it. Right on the water, relaxing and sunny most of the time!"
