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Campgrounds near Burlington, Massachusetts provide options for tent and RV camping within a short drive of Boston, ranging from wooded state forest campsites to full-hookup RV sites. Harold Parker State Forest's Lorraine Park Campground, located about 10 miles north of Burlington in Andover, features spacious, wooded campsites with water hookups. Hanscom AFB FamCamp in Bedford serves military personnel with full hookup sites approximately 5 miles southwest of Burlington. Several private campgrounds like Spacious Skies Minute Man and Camp Nihan Education Center offer additional accommodations including cabins and glamping options. The camping areas generally serve as convenient bases for exploring Boston's historic sites and the Massachusetts coast.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with developed campground options largely unavailable during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds have water and electric hookups, though not all provide sewer connections at individual sites. Weather conditions remain relatively mild through the camping season, though summer humidity can be challenging, especially in low-lying areas. As one camper noted about Harold Parker State Forest, "Humidity was an issue. It's a swamp, and we had a light drizzle each day, so that was no fun."
Campers consistently highlight the surprising spaciousness of sites despite proximity to urban areas. Several visitors mention the unexpected tranquility found at campgrounds like Harold Parker State Forest, which features "large sites with space in between" according to visitor feedback. Sites with water access or views tend to be most popular. The campgrounds' strategic locations allow visitors to explore coastal towns, historic revolutionary war sites, and Boston attractions while returning to natural settings each evening. Amenities vary significantly between facilities, with some offering full bathhouses and recreation areas while others provide more basic services. A visitor to Harold Parker noted, "Being just 30min away from Boston makes it a convenient weekend trip destination, to get out and explore nature a little bit."
"north of Boston and <5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts"
"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."
from $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston."
"The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."
"Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."
from $44 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."
"We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to a COVID testing site which would take non MA residents and turn the results around under 48 hours. We needed quiet camping and not have it cost a fortune."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"Ours (R002) was large, beautiful, and mostly surrounded by forest."
"I chose a spot away from others and was glad I did. Behind me was nothing but quiet woods and a deer meandered through a couple times."
from $17 - $23 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities. That being said it was very nice and felt safe."
from $50 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
"You may choose to leave from Long Wharf, near the Aquarium T stop on the Blue line, or from Hingham, with overnight parking available."
from $8 - $55 / night
Check Availability"However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."
"The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you"
"Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe stayed at site 81, it was near the entrance and right on the pond! The sites were spacious, so it was easy to maneuver our 21 ft travel trailer. The camp bathrooms were across from our site, they weren’t terrible but could use a bit of cleaning!
ScoutIt was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
TravelerWe had a great time during our stay on Labor Day Weekend. Even on the busier side, it was still quiet and our site was fairly private. Right on a stream and a short walk to the bathrooms and hiking trails. We drove a few minutes up the road to Lake Dennison to kayak and fish.
ScoutGreat place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
TravelerPublished rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
TravelerThere site map lies. Noisy people. Tons of loud kids. Uneven site. Marijuana smoke by me. Was to stay 3 nights but left the next morning. Total nightmare. And the dust. Even with everything shut up it fill the RV.
ScoutThis is a really great campground. However, the cell service is terrible. I do have Wi-Fi, but it is very weak. I would count on having to use Starlink.
GuideI was lucky enough to score one of the waterfront spots for one night of my stay. I backed in and opened the rear doors of my campervan and just stared at the ocean view for hours. Spectacular!
LegendWe visited in early June and really appreciated the shade at our site as the temps rose into the mid-80’s. There are lots of tall pine trees but are trimmed back and not a problem getting or big-rig through the park or in our site. We loved site 47 which was long and level with nice grass around it. The next site (46) was pretty close, but luckily nobody was in it while we visited. Our patio area was fairly large with no other sites next to it, just a road. We chose a 50A/water pull thru site and the electric was good at 124 volts on each leg. Honey wagon service is quite expensive at $35/pump out, or you can use the dump station for free. We used the campground cable tv and got about 60 stations, included the major stations (local news was out of Boston). This was a good thing since the trees blocked our Dish receiver from getting any channels. The wifi was 2.4G and just o.k. You could surf the internet but definitely not strong enough to stream. I went to the lodge and got great wifi speed to download movies quickly.
The campground is gated and charges$15/day for visitors. There are lots of amenities. There is a good access to a small lake (with a canoe/kayak launch and rentals), fishing pier (for catch and release, no license required), ice cream stand, food truck, playground, a large dog park (with two runs), laundry, playground, horseshoes, etc. The campground is conveniently to the downtown Plymouth attractions (10 minutes) and a grocery store (2 miles).
The biggest downside was the dust since most of the roads are gravel. It was very dry during our visit and the dust was crazy. Another negative was the $5/day pet fee. There are restrictions as to where you can walk your pets in the campground and they are not allowed on the beach. There is a good size dog park with two runs. If you dog is afraid of gunshots, do not come here as there is a gun range nearby that is pretty loud.
Campgrounds near Burlington, Massachusetts range from state forests to military bases converted for recreation. The area sits at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds offer seasonal operation from May through October, with peak camping temperatures averaging 75-85°F during July and August.
Historical exploration: 5 miles from Burlington. The Hanscom AFB FamCamp provides convenient access to Revolutionary War sites. "Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston," notes Caitlin B. Military families can use this location as a launching point to explore the region's rich history.
Beach activities: 30 miles northeast. Winter Island Park offers waterfront camping with ocean access. One camper explains, "We camped in tents and loved this campground. The restrooms were very clean and being cleaned constantly. The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks." The park includes a lighthouse and historical plaques about the area.
Berry picking: 10 miles north. Harold Parker State Forest features seasonal wild berries along hiking trails. "We collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored," reports one visitor. Trail maps are available at ranger stations, with berry season typically peaking in August.
Wooded privacy: Forested sites. Spacious Skies Minute Man campground provides shaded sites among tall pines. "Nestled among tall pines is this hidden gem. Sites are moderately sized in good condition and we experienced no noise issues during our week here," shares Mary F. The campground maintains clean facilities and offers activities for all ages.
Convenient transportation: Boston access. Camp Nihan Education Center provides urban proximity without sacrificing natural settings. Michael V. explains, "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... All of this right in Saugus MA, less than 30 minutes from Boston." Recently renovated bathroom and shower facilities make cleanup easy.
Recreation options: Multi-sport facilities. Campgrounds in the area frequently offer diverse recreation. One visitor to Minute Man noted, "We enjoyed the ping pong table!! Also have arcade, volleyball, and pet walk area." Many campgrounds maintain swimming pools, sports courts, and game rooms for rainy days.
Reservation requirements: Book early. Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Reservations typically open 6 months before arrival date.
Price variations: Residency matters. Massachusetts state parks charge significantly more for out-of-state visitors. A visitor to Wompatuck State Park Campground noted, "For out-of-state visitors, the cost might not be justifiable, with rates of $17-23 per night for in-state visitors and $60 for out of staters."
Wildlife considerations: Take precautions. Local wildlife includes skunks and raccoons at many campgrounds. "We ended up leaving earlier than planned to avoid another night with the skunk activity, because we really didn't want to risk driving home with any skunk spray odor," shared a Winter Island Park camper.
Facility limitations: Check amenities. Some campgrounds have limited hookups or require quarters for showers. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," reports one camper at Cape Ann Camp Site.
Playground access: Multiple options. Camp Nihan provides both wooded camping and playground facilities. "Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes," explains Michael V. The reservation is adjacent to the camp, providing safe swimming options.
Educational opportunities: Park programs. Lorraine Park Campground offers ranger-led educational activities. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," shares Migdalia G. These programs typically run weekends during summer months.
Safety considerations: Patrol presence. Many campgrounds feature regular security patrols. "Park rangers drive around campground often," notes Marisabel R. about Lorraine Park Campground. This provides peace of mind for families with children exploring the camping areas.
Hookup placement: Verify before arrival. At some camping sites near Burlington, Massachusetts, the utilities may be positioned inconveniently. A visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation noted, "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric."
Dump station availability: Limited options. Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump stations. Cape Ann Camp Site has a dump station "near the street," but some locations require off-site dumping. Always verify dump station availability when booking reservations.
Site surfaces: Prepare accordingly. RV sites vary from paved to gravel to dirt. "Sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads," mentions one RVer about Cape Ann Camp Site. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for many locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Burlington?
The Burlington area offers several excellent camping options. Willard Brook State Forest Campground features level sites surrounded by towering pines on a small, bisected loop. The forest setting provides a peaceful retreat with hiking trails, though cell service can be spotty. Salisbury Beach State Reservation is perfect for beach lovers, offering water and electricity hookups with easy beach access. While not secluded, it's ideal for group camping and provides a convenient base for exploring the Massachusetts coastline. Both campgrounds offer clean facilities and are well-maintained, making them popular choices for campers seeking different experiences near Burlington.
How much does camping cost in Burlington?
Camping costs around Burlington vary by campground type and amenities. At Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest, a state facility less than 25 miles from Boston, expect to pay standard Massachusetts state park rates, which typically range from $22-$35 per night for residents. Beach Rose RV Park in nearby Salisbury offers full hookup sites at higher rates, generally $45-$70 per night depending on the season, with premium holiday weekends commanding top prices. Massachusetts state parks typically have an additional reservation fee and sometimes charge entrance fees that cover multiple recreational areas. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What camping supplies are available at stores in Burlington?
Burlington and surrounding communities offer various options for camping supplies. Large retailers like REI, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Walmart stock essential camping gear including tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and outdoor clothing. For campers heading to Otter River State Forest or Wells State Park Campground, convenience stores and supermarkets in the area provide food, ice, firewood, and basic camping necessities. Local outdoor specialty shops offer higher-end gear and expert advice for specific activities like hiking or fishing. For RV campers, several automotive and RV supply stores provide propane refills, RV parts, and maintenance supplies. Most campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance of these retail options.
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