Public lands surrounding Arlington, Massachusetts offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, located in Hingham, provides rustic tent sites on multiple islands accessible by ferry. Camp Nihan Education Center in Saugus offers walk-in tent sites less than 30 minutes from Boston. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester, approximately 35 miles northeast of Arlington, features wooded tent campsites open from May 15 to October 15.
Tent campers should prepare for varied conditions at these campgrounds. Boston Harbor Islands requires significant planning as tent sites are boat-accessible only and campers must bring all supplies including water. Ferries depart from Long Wharf in Boston or Hingham with overnight parking available. Camp Nihan provides more accessible primitive tent camping with recently renovated bathroom facilities. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though fire regulations vary by location and season. Cape Ann's tent sites feature dirt and gravel pads that can become muddy during rain. Composting toilets are available at island locations, while mainland campgrounds offer standard restroom facilities.
The tent-only experience at these locations offers distinct advantages. According to reviews, Boston Harbor Islands provides "the benefit of a remote island with minimal company" for tent campers willing to make the journey. Reservations open six months in advance and fill quickly. Camp Nihan receives praise for offering "a perfect blend of rugged and convenient" tent camping, with sites close to parking while maintaining a backcountry feel. Cape Ann's tent sites are noted for being "more secluded than RV sites" with "trees surrounding sites for privacy." Wildlife sightings including wild turkeys and deer are common at Cape Ann. Tent campers frequently use these locations as bases for hiking, swimming, and exploring historic sites like the old forts on the harbor islands.
"Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."
"This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $55 / night
"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."
"Beautiful rural setting w/ open & tree shaded sites. Full, partial & no hook-up sites for rv’s & tent camping."
"Location works well. Very narrow road coming in after 128. More for smaller RVs and tent camping. Picnic tables could be replaced."
from $36 - $44 / night
"All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
LegendI’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
LegendThis is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
ScoutShowers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
GuideHard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.
- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
GuideI can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!
GuideBest part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.
Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.
A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.
If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.
TravelerWhat a gem of a campground. The park staff are very helpful and friendly. The facilities: bathrooms, showers, dump station and trash receptacles are spotless. They offer nature oriented fun activities for all ages! And they even have playgrounds for the littles to play on. The sites are are mixed use, offering tent only, RV with electric, and group sites. They also have yurts that can rented, which come with a full size bed and bunk beds.
Tent camping near Arlington, Massachusetts offers rustic opportunities within a one-hour drive. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and spring bringing significant rainfall. Most campgrounds open from May through October, with limited winter camping options at inland locations where temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
Hiking through conservation areas: Near Camp Nihan Education Center, visitors can explore adjacent Breakheart Reservation with varied trails. "The camp is also adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes," notes Michael V.
Beach exploration: Cape Ann Camp Site provides access to coastal activities. "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," shares Ron C. The campground's proximity to ocean activities makes it popular during summer months.
Island exploration: At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, campers can discover historical structures. "While you're out on the islands, take time to explore one of the others...explore the old forts and visitors centers, earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service, fly a kite, or go for a swim or kayak," recommends Jean C.
Wildlife watching: Many campers at Cape Ann appreciate the natural encounters. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc.," reports John S.
Secluded tent sites: Buck Hill Campground offers group camping in wooded settings. "All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc. The area is heavily wooded without much else around," explains Greg R.
Inter-island transportation: Boston Harbor Islands provides unique travel opportunities. "You may choose to leave from Long Wharf, near the Aquarium T stop on the Blue line, or from Hingham, with overnight parking available... that fee covers your round trip as well as the use of the interisland ferries so you can explore other islands," notes Jean C.
Reservation timing: Island camping books quickly. "Reservations open 6 months in advance and sites fill quickly, so plan ahead if you're counting on a particulate day," advises Jean C.
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have natural rather than improved tent pads. "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads," reports doris C. about Cape Ann Camp Site.
Facility limitations: Military Park New Boston Air Force Station and other primitive sites have minimal amenities. "This is the type of campground to just come and unwind, fish, cook, etc don't expect much else," explains Greg R. about Buck Hill Campground.
Weather considerations: Spring camping often encounters mud, while July and August can see temperatures above 90°F. Always check seasonal fire restrictions as summer drought conditions sometimes limit campfires.
Close-to-car options: Camp Nihan offers convenient family camping. "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. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy," shares Michael V.
Swimming access: Several campgrounds provide water recreation. "There's a small somewhat sandy area that perhaps used to be a beach of sorts, though no lifeguards or anything. The water is clean and fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry into the water," notes Greg R. about Buck Hill.
Educational opportunities: Boston Harbor Islands provides learning activities. "Earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service," suggests Jean C. Most ranger programs run between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Site privacy considerations: RVers at Cape Ann should select sites carefully. "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," advises Della S.
Utility connections: Cape Ann offers varying hookup options. "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," reports Ben E. Sites with full hookups tend to book 3-4 months in advance during peak summer season.
Dump station access: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. "There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a 'dump station,'" notes doris C. about Cape Ann Camp Site. Most campgrounds require using designated dump stations rather than at-site disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arlington, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arlington, MA is Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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