114 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Andover, Massachusetts range from state forest sites to private RV parks with various accommodations. Harold Parker State Forest's Lorraine Park Campground offers spacious wooded sites with tent camping and limited RV hookups, while nearby private campgrounds like Spacious Skies Minute Man provide cabin options. Most campgrounds in the area feature fire pits, picnic tables, and access to water, with some offering shower facilities and electric hookups for RVs.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. "Quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am are enforced, and several campsites are large enough that if you have a small camper or van you may be able to pull through," noted one visitor. Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, which is strictly enforced at Harold Parker State Forest. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds provide water spigots at individual sites, though hookup locations may not always be convenient for RVs.
Campers report high satisfaction with the natural surroundings despite proximity to urban areas. A review mentioned that Harold Parker State Forest "feels like you are in the middle of nowhere" despite being less than 25 miles north of Boston and close to interstate highways. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain clean bathroom facilities and free hot showers. Sites vary in privacy levels, with some tucked away from neighbors while others are more open and social. Several campgrounds feature waterfront options along ponds, providing fishing opportunities and scenic views. The region includes numerous hiking trails, swimming areas, and recreational activities within the state forest system, making it a convenient base for exploring both natural areas and nearby coastal communities.
"You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus."
"I live in a neighboring town to Andover. It’s so easy to get to."
from $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."
"The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston."
"The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."
"Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."
from $44 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."
"We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to a COVID testing site which would take non MA residents and turn the results around under 48 hours. We needed quiet camping and not have it cost a fortune."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."
"We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"
"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
"Kids had enough driving for the day so we had to stop. We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating."
"Much of the lake is better suited to paddle craft rather than motor boats due to it's shallow nature and rocks. The an expansive beach as well, a camp store and boat rentals."
"We were caught off guard by how far we had to drive from the entrance into the park to reach out campsite, but that was great - far away from the road."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability"Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you"
"Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideWe stayed at site 81, it was near the entrance and right on the pond! The sites were spacious, so it was easy to maneuver our 21 ft travel trailer. The camp bathrooms were across from our site, they weren’t terrible but could use a bit of cleaning!
ScoutIt was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
TravelerWe had a great time during our stay on Labor Day Weekend. Even on the busier side, it was still quiet and our site was fairly private. Right on a stream and a short walk to the bathrooms and hiking trails. We drove a few minutes up the road to Lake Dennison to kayak and fish.
ScoutGreat little mom and pop campground with tent and RV sites
ScoutGreat place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
ScoutFriendly owners. Best price in the area. Water, electric at all RV sites. and septic at some. There is a dumping spot. Great river to kayak. Pool to swim with kiddie pool that has sprinklers (they love!!!). Nothing fancy but comfortable and clean. Love lazy river!!!
TravelerPublished rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
ScoutThis is a really great campground. However, the cell service is terrible. I do have Wi-Fi, but it is very weak. I would count on having to use Starlink.
GuideI was lucky enough to score one of the waterfront spots for one night of my stay. I backed in and opened the rear doors of my campervan and just stared at the ocean view for hours. Spectacular!
Camping near Andover, Massachusetts provides access to diverse environments from wooded state forests to coastal beaches. The area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F and cool falls with early color changes beginning in late September. Several campgrounds require reservations at least two weeks in advance during peak summer months.
Hiking at Harold Parker State Forest: The forest contains numerous interconnected trails suitable for day hikes. "Lots of trails and ponds," notes a visitor at Lorraine Park Campground, adding that sites are "huge with space in between."
Beach access at Salisbury: Located about 30 miles from Andover, Salisbury Beach offers swimming and water activities. According to one camper at Salisbury Beach State Reservation, "The beach was clean. We've been back twice but not to camp."
Historical sites exploration: The region contains Revolutionary War landmarks. A visitor at Spacious Skies Minute Man notes it's "a forested haven so close to Boston that you think you are in the country. Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites."
Water recreation: Multiple ponds in the area support fishing, kayaking and canoeing. At Pawtuckaway State Park, "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. At Harold Parker State Forest, one camper commented, "Large sites. Clean bathroom. Good for families or couples," while another mentioned "Site 301 did not flooded at all" during heavy rain.
Urban escape opportunities: The region functions well for campers wanting nature while staying near urban areas. A visitor at Winter Island Park explained, "We spent two nights at this campground - the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day."
Off-season advantages: Fall camping can provide more privacy and availability. "Very pretty and historical trails to walk on. Not too far from the city," describes a camper at Spacious Skies Minute Man about fall camping, while another at Winter Island Park noted, "The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites."
Proximity to coastal attractions: Several campgrounds offer base camps for exploring coastal towns. A visitor to Cape Ann Camp Site noted, "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly during summer months. A Pawtuckaway State Park visitor advised, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating."
Bathroom facilities vary: Conditions and availability differ between campgrounds. At Hanscom AFB FamCamp, one visitor reported, "Several clean modern bath houses, with hot showers and flush toilets," while a Cape Ann camper mentioned "pay showers (5 cents)."
Limited pet policies: Some campgrounds restrict pets during peak seasons. A camper at Pawtuckaway noted, "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Traffic and noise considerations: Proximity to urban areas creates occasional disturbances. A visitor reported Winter Island Park has "noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from raccoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers)."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground mentioned "The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained."
Beach options: Multiple sites provide swimming areas for children. About Winter Island Park, a camper shared, "The kids had a great time by the sea and the playground. Their are wildlife like skunks, racoons do put food in car."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. At Harold Parker State Forest, one visitor reported, "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike."
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds schedule family activities. According to a camper at Tuxbury Pond, "Heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU. Good fire pit and nice facilities."
Site angles and layouts: RV sites vary in accessibility. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, a camper observed, "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric."
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers lower rates but limited amenities. An RVer at Winter Island Park noted, "None of the sites offer much privacy. You can explore the beach, launch a boat, catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex layouts. About Spacious Skies Minute Man, a camper reported, "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!"
Hookup availability: Utilities differ widely between sites. A camper at Beach Rose RV Park mentioned, "Great campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! It's only about a mile from the beach."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Andover, MA?
The best campground in Andover is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest, offering clean wooded sites with easy reservation through Reserve America. Located in Andover itself, it's a convenient getaway with friendly staff and clean facilities. Many campers return annually to enjoy family time in the outdoors. For those willing to travel a short distance, Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury is another excellent option, particularly for RV campers. This small, family-owned campground near the beach features clean grounds, a swimming pool, and accommodating staff who go above and beyond during busy weekends.
What parks in Andover, MA offer camping facilities?
Harold Parker State Forest is the primary park in Andover offering camping facilities through its Lorraine Park Campground. Located less than 25 miles north of Boston and under 5 miles from the interstate, it serves as an excellent base for exploring Massachusetts' north coast or as a stopover when heading to New Hampshire and Maine. For those willing to venture slightly beyond Andover, Willard Brook State Forest Campground and Otter River State Forest offer additional public camping options. Otter River is particularly noted for being clean, well-maintained, and family-friendly with swimming options in a pond or a short drive to a larger lake.
What camping sites are available near Andover?
Several quality camping options exist within a short drive from Andover. Pearl Hill State Park Campground offers wonderful sites with varying privacy levels – site #18 is particularly desirable as it's situated next to a ravine with wooded surroundings. Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides an unbeatable beachfront location with convenient water and electricity hookups, making it perfect for group camping trips though it lacks privacy. Additional options include Tuxbury Pond RV Campground near South Hampton and Cape Ann Camp Site near Gloucester, both offering various amenities for different camping styles.
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