The majority of Beverly, Massachusetts camping options sit within a 15-mile radius of the city, positioning campers between coastal environments and inland forests. Winter temperatures typically range from 22-36°F while summer averages 63-82°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences. Most campgrounds offer a mix of traditional sites and alternative accommodations including yurt camping near Beverly for those seeking climate-controlled options.
What to do
Beach exploration: 5 miles from Winter Island Park, visitors can access multiple coastal areas for swimming and tide pool investigation. "The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks. There's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there," notes a camper at Winter Island Park.
Historical tours: Within 2 miles of downtown Beverly, campers can explore Revolutionary War sites and maritime history exhibits. At Hanscom AFB FamCamp, a visitor observed, "In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond, so the campground makes a great basecamp for exploration of the area's rich culture and history."
Wildlife observation: Throughout spring and fall, campers regularly spot native wildlife near many Beverly-area sites. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," shared a visitor to Wakeda Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance ranks high in camper satisfaction across Beverly-area sites. A camper at The Pines Camping Area noted, "The restrooms need some repairs at the pool (which was awesome in the morning)."
Water access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct waterfront sites for fishing, boating, and sunset viewing. A visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground shared, "In 2018 we stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake and are situated right across from the bath/shower."
Family-friendly environments: Most campgrounds within 20 miles of Beverly implement quiet hours and provide child-focused amenities. "Winters island is a beautiful campground in Salem,ma. We stayed 2 times in the month of June and 1 time each in July and august...the kids had a great time by the sea and the playground," reported a Winter Island Park visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most Beverly-area campgrounds, especially those with yurts, require advance booking 3-6 months ahead for peak season. According to a Hanscom AFB FamCamp visitor, "The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB. Proximity to the base provides access to the base exchange and other facilities."
Seasonal availability: The majority of campgrounds operate from May through October, with limited winter options. "Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites. The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," notes a visitor to Cape Ann Camp Site.
Site variety: Terrain and privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and between specific sites at each location. "Some sites in other sections are closer together. There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you," observed a camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around peak usage times for playgrounds and beaches to avoid crowds at popular campgrounds. "The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," reports a Pawtuckaway State Park visitor.
Site selection: Request sites away from main roads for added safety with young children. A Winter Island Park camper shared, "We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach. There was no parking at our site, but the parking lot was only 25 yards away so it was not an issue."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential nighttime visitors at coastal campgrounds. "The cons were the noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from racoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers)," warned a Winter Island Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites can be limited during peak season, requiring early reservations for yurt camping near Beverly, Massachusetts. At Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, a visitor noted, "No issues with electric, sewer or water hookups. Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across."
Maneuvering considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads requiring careful navigation with larger rigs. "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...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," reported a Sea Coast Camping visitor.
Seasonal site options: Year-round RVers should note winter camping limitations near Beverly. "Half of the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients. The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located," observed a Sea Coast Camping guest.
