Camping options near Andover, Massachusetts expand beyond RV parks to include tent sites and cabin rentals within a 30-mile radius. The region's coastal proximity creates humid summers with temperatures averaging 80°F and cold winters where mercury often dips below freezing. Spring and fall offer milder temperatures and less crowded campgrounds, though rainfall increases during these shoulder seasons.
What to do
Beach access: Seacoast Camping and RV Resort provides convenient beach proximity with Hampton Beach just 5 miles east. "About 5 miles to the east is Hampton Beach and a little farther is the town of Rye which are worth the drive. There we discovered Ray's Seafood and Petey's Summertime Seafood where you can get a great meal right next to the water," notes one visitor.
Golf opportunities: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park features an on-site golf course as its main attraction. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," explains a camper who stayed at this family-owned property.
Historical exploration: The area around Andover offers rich colonial history sites accessible from several campgrounds. "Boston is only 40 minutes away, and the best of Maine is also very close," mentions a Spacious Skies Minute Man visitor. Another notes, "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and grounds as standout features. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained," comments a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground. Another camper at Seacoast Camping praises "Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across."
Entertainment options: Many parks offer organized activities for various age groups. "The live band was cool but we had golf carts & parked vehicles pretty much surrounding us & some right on our campsite, it was a little awkward. Then around 8, there was a gentleman that started setting up for a comedy show," recounts a Tuxbury Pond visitor who unexpectedly enjoyed the entertainment.
Swimming amenities: Pools and beach access rank high among camper preferences. "We had a nice time here. Camped with a whole bunch of friends. This place has all of the amenities. As well as countless outdoor activities. Fun for the whole family! Swimming, fishing, hiking, climbing (near by), biking," shares a Pine Acres Resort reviewer.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Many rv parks near Andover, Massachusetts require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. "We chose this campground because we got a booking discount on the Dyrt app," mentions a Tuxbury Pond visitor, while another notes, "You do not get a choice during the online booking to choose the campsite to reserve & the site # is not included in the confirmation email."
Site privacy concerns: Limited space between sites is a common observation across campgrounds in the region. At Beach Rose RV Park, a visitor notes, "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." Similarly, a Sea Coast camper observes, "None of the sites have a lot of space between them and I bet this park could feel quite cramped when it was full."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. A Tuxbury Pond camper reports, "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," which could impact visitors needing to stay connected for work or emergencies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There was a very large playground, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, basketball, and camp store," notes a Sea Coast visitor, while a Woodmore Family Campground reviewer adds, "We had a wonderful time tent camping. The grounds were beautiful and the sites were a good size."
Swimming options: Pools provide recreation when natural water bodies aren't suitable. "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," observes a Sandy Beach Campground visitor, highlighting why some families prefer pool facilities.
Entertainment scheduling: Check activity calendars when booking. "They recently had someone there to fix the septic concern. We dragged our things down by noon. Within the hr, there was a large canopy tent set up right in between us & the bathrooms that we were now much closer to & there was a band setting up for their afternoon show," explains a Tuxbury Pond camper who unexpectedly found themselves in the middle of campground entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers emphasize the importance of carefully selecting sites. "Our site (#124) was one of the new sites which they had just completed. It was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level," shares a visitor to Sea Coast, adding "The roads in the park are fairly narrow and we had to drive over the grass across from our site in order to back in."
Hookup accessibility: The placement of utilities can impact site usability. "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services," notes a camper at Hidden Valley RV Park.
Seasonal availability: Most RV camping locations around Andover operate seasonally. At Mill Brook RV Park, the operating season runs from "May 10 - Oct 6," similar to other Andover-area RV parks that typically open in April or May and close by mid-November. Campers planning off-season trips should verify campground availability.
