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Best Tent Camping near Brookline, MA

591 Reviews

State parks and public lands surrounding Brookline, 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 including Peddocks, Lovells, Grape, and Bumpkin. Camp Nihan Education Center in Saugus offers walk-in tent sites less than 30 minutes from Boston. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester provides wooded tent campsites from May 15 to October 15, with beach access nearby. Buck Hill Campground in Rhode Island features primitive tent camping in a rural setting approximately 45 miles southwest of Brookline.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require advance planning and reservations. Boston Harbor Islands sites fill quickly and should be booked six months ahead. Access varies significantly between locations, with Harbor Islands requiring ferry transportation from either Long Wharf in Boston or Hingham. Campers must pack all supplies, including drinking water for most locations. Cape Ann's tent sites feature dirt surfaces that can become muddy during rain. Fire regulations differ by location, with Harbor Islands allowing fires only below the high tide line using scavenged wood. Composting toilets are available at most sites, while shower facilities vary. Camp Nihan provides recently renovated bathrooms and showers, while Cape Ann offers pay showers (25 cents for 5 minutes).

Tent campers report varying experiences across these locations. According to reviews, Cape Ann Camp Site offers "beautiful tent sites" that are "more secluded than the RV sites" with "nice sized sites surrounded by trees" providing privacy. The terrain at Camp Nihan is described as "rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods" while remaining accessible for families. Boston Harbor Islands camping requires more effort but rewards visitors with unique experiences. One camper noted that "exploring the island was awesome" with opportunities to discover historic bunkers, collect sea glass, and enjoy sunset views of the Boston skyline. Walk-in tent sites at these locations generally offer more seclusion and natural surroundings than drive-up alternatives.

Map showing campgrounds near Brookline, MassachusettsExplore the Map

Detours Nearby

Camp Nihan Education Center

Camp Nihan Education Center

29 min away

West Thompson Lake Campground

West Thompson Lake Campground

53 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near Brookline, Massachusetts (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Brookline, MA

21 Photos of 8 Brookline Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Brookline, MA

591 Reviews of 8 Brookline Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Fearing Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Wooded sites near a pond

    There are 2 Fearing Pond loops at Myles Standish State Forest, the H & I loops. The H loop entrance is closer to the Charge Pond loops and is higher above pond. This loop is better suited to the larger trailers/tents with more space to drive around a loop , but some spots have slopes. The I loop's best feature is a small beach that is easily accessible from all sites. They've done a lot of site restoration and the fact that it didn't open in 2020 helped. In spite of that, many of the sites have awkward approaches and there is a large parking lot closer to the bathroom. There are no hookups, but there is a dump station available. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided.

    The forest has miles of biking trails, ponds for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even cranberry bogs to explore (though harvest is late in the camping season and this section is not open at that time).

    Cell phone coverage is poor to absent in the forest, so download maps for offline use prior to your arrival.

    Plymouth is nearby for a any forgotten provisions and for sightseeing. Erickson's ice cream cafe is near the entrance if you need a treat!

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 27, 2020

    Scusset Beach State Reservation

    Coastal campground open late in season

    Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off.  Also, there are only 5 designated tent sites during the peak season, so if you want to tent camp here, you'd best make a reservation well in advance.. You cannot reserve an RV site for a just a tent, though if you have a trailer, you may also have a tent on the site. The 5 tent sites have their own fire pits, but the RV sites must use a community fire pit, though in mid-November, just before the campground closed for the season, RVers used the firepit at a tent site that provided some additional protection from the wind.

    The RV sites have paved parking pads and picnic tables, but the area to the side of the parking pads sometimes slopes away, so it's less usable for chairs, etc.  In the 2020 camping season, every other campsite was closed (thus the picnic tables across the entrance of the parking pad). Some of the sites, 32 34, 36, are along the back of the campground closer to the trees/scrub, and so have some degree of privacy and protection as compared to the others in the wide open park.

    The campground is on the north shore of the Cape Code canal and provides access to a sandy beach, a jetty, and the Cape Cod Canal Trail for biking and walking. There's a nice playground for youth. You can fish from the shore or jetty, No need to cross the bridge to the Cape. Plymouth is also nearby to explore.

  • Our Greight Escape ..
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Bourne Scenic Park

    Wonderful campground!

    We stayed here for a season and loved it! The staff from the front desk to the front gate are incredibly friendly and welcoming!

    Pros-

    Front office is open late (9pm)

    Offers wood, ice, fire starters, hoses and adapter cap for gray water drain.

    Country Store

    Ice Cream

    Amazing views of the canal.

    Bike path along the canal, easy access.

    Lots of playgrounds for different ages

    Bounce pad (in-ground)

    Pool

    Stair access to canal bike path.

    Dump station

    Inexpensive to have visitors\

    Located near so much! Walmart, Market Basket, Target all within 15min.  

    Cons-

    No on site drainage for black water (grey takes an adapter). You will need a poop tote.

    Lots of tight spaces

    Anyone can pay to access canal, so they can access any campsite even without staying there. 

    Highway noise.

    BRIDGE TRAFFIC- if you know you know.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. 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. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Barretts Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Small campground near a small pond at Myles Standish

    This campsite loop at Myles Standish State Forest is closest to the headquarters and borders a small pond with beach. In addition to tent/RV sites, there are 3 yurts available with bunks. Sites that appear to be near the pond are pond view rather than pondside. Approaches to Yurt JC and J5, J 26, J27 are sloped. J14 is a little awkward. J33 is probably among the largest and nicest with a pond view. The sites aren't as large as those in the Charge Pond loops, but it's a smaller campground.

    The loop has flush toilets and showers. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided. Cell phone coverage throughout the forest is poor to absent; download maps for offline use if you want to be sure to know where you are or find directions. There are miles of bike trails and ponds for fishing, swimming, and boating. There's a larger beach and picnic area at College Pond.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

Guide to Brookline

Tent camping options near Brookline, Massachusetts include several rustic sites in state parks and privately-operated facilities within a 45-mile radius. Seasonal availability typically spans May through October, with most locations closing after Columbus Day weekend due to New England's colder autumn temperatures. Campgrounds in the region often feature wooded settings with varying degrees of privacy and amenity access.

What to do

Beach access and swimming: Cape Ann Camp Site provides close access to Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester. One camper mentioned, "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever."

Wildlife observation: Natural settings at several campgrounds support wildlife viewing opportunities. At Cape Ann Camp Site, visitors report seeing "wild turkeys, deer, etc." around their campsites.

Island exploration: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers unique exploration opportunities. A visitor shared they "found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house" while hiking around Lovells Island.

Pond swimming: Buck Hill Campground features access to Wakefield Pond. A camper noted the water is "clean and fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry into the water."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the spacing at Cape Ann. One reviewer mentioned, "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome."

Convenience to urban areas: Camp Nihan Education Center offers proximity to Boston. A reviewer appreciated that it's "right in Saugus MA, less than 30 minutes from Boston."

Sunset views: Boston Harbor Islands camping provides unique vantage points. A camper enjoyed "sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston" which "made everything entirely worth it."

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom cleanliness. At Military Park New Boston Air Force Station, one visitor simply described it as a "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"

What you should know

Shower costs: Cape Ann Camp Site charges for showers. A reviewer noted, "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom."

Island camping logistics: Transportation to Boston Harbor Islands requires planning. "Getting to the island was a bit of a hassle," wrote one camper who detailed taking "all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium" before catching two ferry connections.

Limited amenities: Buck Hill Campground offers minimal facilities. A reviewer described it as "a great rural no frills campground" with "a few rough restrooms and some porta-potties."

Site surfaces: Some campgrounds have unpaved sites that can be problematic in wet weather. A Cape Ann reviewer noted, "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads."

Tips for camping with families

Group accommodations: Buck Hill Campground features large group sites. A camper mentioned, "All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents)."

Natural experiences close to home: Camp Nihan balances accessibility with natural surroundings. A parent shared that "the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods" while still being convenient for families.

Water activities: For the best tent camping near Brookline, Massachusetts with kids, consider locations with swimming options. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, families can "go for a swim or kayak" and collect "handfuls of blackberries" while exploring Peddocks Island.

Bathroom access: When camping with children, consider campgrounds with recently upgraded facilities. Camp Nihan features "a recently renovated bathroom and shower facility" that "makes clean ups easy" according to one family camper.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Cape Ann, experienced RVers suggest specific site selection. One camper noted, "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," indicating tent campers may enjoy more privacy.

Supply availability: Some campgrounds offer on-site stores for forgotten items. Cape Ann has "a nice little store on-site for anything you forgot," while also being "close enough to stores if you need more."

Utility hookups: For campers requiring electrical connections, Cape Ann provides options. A reviewer confirmed they offer "water, sewer, and electric hookups" but "no wifi."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Brookline, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Brookline, 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 Brookline, MA?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Brookline, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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