1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping near Bridgewater, MA ranges from coastal primitive sites to wooded tent campsites, with options such as Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground and Cape Ann Camp Site offering designated areas with varying amenities. Both locations provide tent camping with either coastal or forested settings to suit different preferences.
Most tent sites in the region feature natural surfaces with minimal site development, typically set on packed dirt or forest floor. Campgrounds like Sandy Neck Beach Park offer primitive tent setups that require some effort to reach, with sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead across sandy terrain. Fire regulations vary by location, with most allowing fires in designated rings or pits. Campers should note that many locations like Washburn Island Campsites are only accessible by boat, requiring additional planning. Bathroom facilities range from composting toilets to more modern facilities depending on the campground.
The coastal tent camping areas provide unique experiences not available to RV campers. At Boston Harbor Islands, tent sites offer seclusion despite proximity to the city. A camper noted, "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it." Sandy Neck's primitive tent campsites require more effort but reward visitors with beachfront camping and solitude. Sites at Cape Ann are described in reviews as "nice and wooded" with "a lot of space between them," creating a sense of privacy even in an established campground setting. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with spring and fall offering less crowded conditions at most tent camping areas.
"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
"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
"This is a really cool option for those interested in visiting Cape Cod and also backpacking. The park has 5 dispersed sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead with picnic tables and an outhouse."
"Took one more trip down for the end of the season, great weather but VERY windy"
from $20 / 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."
"Fire pits at each site with wood on sale at the ranger hut. 1 composting toilet."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $35 / 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."
from $46 - $50 / night
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.
ScoutAfter a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.
ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
ScoutBrought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.
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.
ScoutWe have been coming here seasonally and its become our little weekend escape. There is always something going on and the kids have made so many friends. Makes it easy to just pack a few things and head out.
Tent camping near Bridgewater, Massachusetts offers access to both coastal and wooded environments within a 30-60 minute drive. The region sits at low elevation (less than 100 feet above sea level) with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Most tent campsites in the area require advance booking during peak summer months (June-August) when temperatures typically range from 70-85°F.
Beach exploration: Cape Ann Camp Site offers proximity to local beaches where campers can swim, sunbathe, or collect shells. According to Dan, "We had a great time camping and going to the beach. The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits."
Island hopping: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground provides opportunities to visit multiple islands via inter-island ferry service. A visitor notes, "While you're out on the islands, take time to explore one of the others...look for sea glass on Spectacle Island and climb the hill for a view of the Boston skyline, explore the old forts and visitors centers."
Hiking: Frosty Hollow Camping Area in nearby Rhode Island connects to trail systems through wooded areas. The campground serves as a base for day hikes through deciduous forests with minimal elevation gain, making trails suitable for most fitness levels.
Privacy between sites: Cape Ann Camp Site is praised for spacious tent sites. According to John S., the campground offers "great sites with A LOT of space between them" and Della S. notes that it has "beautiful tent sites" that provide more seclusion than the RV areas.
Wildlife viewing: Buck Hill Campground attracts campers interested in spotting local wildlife. Greg R. describes it as "heavily wooded without much else around" creating opportunities to observe native birds, small mammals, and occasionally deer at dawn and dusk.
Water access: Washburn Island Campsites provides direct water access. Tim C. explains, "Small island with 10 camp site (one group) all with views of the water very quiet at night." The location allows for fishing, kayaking, and swimming directly from camp.
Advance planning required: Many campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. For Boston Harbor Islands, "Reservations open 6 months in advance and sites fill quickly, so plan ahead if you're counting on a particular day."
Transportation logistics: Several camping destinations require specific transportation arrangements. At Washburn Island Campsites, "You need a boat or a ride out there, close to the main land so a canoe/kayak would work."
Physical demands: Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites requires significant effort to reach. Anna C. explains, "The hike in to the sites can be particularly difficult because it requires trekking through sand without any sun coverage and with all of your gear."
Educational opportunities: Camp Nihan Education Center accommodates younger campers with accessible outdoor experiences. According to Michael V., "We went camping here with our SpiralScout Circle, kids aged 4-8. 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."
Water safety: Several campgrounds offer supervised swimming areas during summer months. Buck Hill Campground features "a small somewhat sandy area that perhaps used to be a beach of sorts" with clean water that's "fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry."
Seasonal considerations: For families concerned about crowds, consider shoulder seasons. Tim C. notes that while summer reservations can be difficult, camping in "May, September, and October" offers similar experiences with fewer people.
Limited options: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Bridgewater have restricted RV access or no facilities for larger vehicles. Cape Ann Camp Site is one exception, with Lajaun C. noting they have "water, sewer, and electric hookups" and "all size RVs and tents are welcome."
Site surfaces: RV campers should note that even at campgrounds that accommodate them, many sites lack concrete pads. One reviewer noted that "the sites are all dirt" and there are "no concrete pads" at some locations, which can make leveling challenging during wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bridgewater, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bridgewater, MA is Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bridgewater, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Bridgewater, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
