The Carlisle area contains several state and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region features a mix of pine forests and small water bodies, with elevations ranging between 100-300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during the day, dropping to 60-65°F at night, making proper bedding essential for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking through historical areas: Visit Hanscom AFB FamCamp where you'll be "close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston" as Caitlin B. mentions. The base is located near Lexington and Concord, providing easy access to Revolutionary War landmarks.
Swimming and beach access: Winter Island Park offers oceanfront camping with beach access. "The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks. Also there's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there," notes Heather P. The campground includes a lifeguarded beach area during summer months.
Mountain biking on beginner trails: The terrain near Wompatuck State Park Campground provides "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," according to Mike M. The park contains over 12 miles of paved bike paths and additional off-road trails suitable for various skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Seasonal fishing is available at several local campgrounds. At Pawtuckaway State Park, campers can fish directly from waterfront sites. One visitor mentioned the "sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!"
What campers like
Easy Boston access: Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground provides convenient access to Boston. Charles K. noted it's "Very easy to get into Boston by train. Level sites, quiet, and very clean restrooms make this a perfect spot for touring historic Boston, Concord, & Lexington." The campground is approximately 30 minutes from downtown.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer varying degrees of site separation. At Lorraine Park Campground, Kelly F. observed "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds." Sites in the wooded sections provide natural screening between camping areas.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Pearl Hill State Park, the staff maintains bathrooms regularly, with one reviewer noting, "Bathrooms were clean and well stocked." Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Carlisle provide accessible bathroom facilities within walking distance of campsites.
Year-round options: The Pine Campground offers camping throughout all seasons, unlike many seasonal operations in the area. According to Ian H., "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate from May through October only. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, the season runs "early May to mid October." Winter camping options are limited to year-round facilities like The Pine Campground.
Variable pricing for out-of-state visitors: State parks charge significantly more for non-Massachusetts residents. At Wompatuck State Park, Paulina B. 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."
Pet fees at some locations: Some private campgrounds charge additional fees for pets. At The Pine Campground, Ian H. mentioned "the only negative is there's an extra $5 charge per day per dog. I haven't seen this very much at any of the other campgrounds that I've been to."
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. Eric LeBoeuf observed at Wompatuck that "quiet hrs are enforced on Friday nights only it seems," suggesting weekends may be louder than weekdays at popular campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When camping with children, consider site location relative to play areas. At The Pine Campground, Joe D. shared: "Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream. Playground was a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun."
Recreational programming: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive activities for children. Liz W. reported "They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean. I highly recommend staying here." The campground runs organized events throughout the camping season.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. At Pearl Hill State Park, there's a designated swimming area, though one camper noted "Don't expect to go swimming in the so called pond its all weeds and muck." Always check water quality reports before planning swimming activities.
Historical educational opportunities: Many campgrounds provide access to historical sites with educational value for children. At Hanscom AFB FamCamp, Janet R. highlighted "Proximity to the base provides access to the base exchange and other facilities, but the quiet location is a recreational retreat centered around several indoor and outdoor gathering spaces."
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations on RV length. At Wompatuck State Park, they've "only designated 3 sites for 35' rigs; everything else is 15-20'." Check site specifications carefully when booking.
Hookup placement: Position of utilities can present challenges at some campgrounds. At Winter Island Park, Nancy W. found "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord."
Extension cord needs: Some campgrounds require longer-than-standard power cords. At Spacious Skies Minute Man, Brittany V. noted: "Site seems level for the most part, made of gravel. Heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU. Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!"
Early arrival fees: Some campgrounds charge for arriving before check-in time. At Spacious Skies Minute Man, one camper mentioned "Only down side is office is inflexible on $25 fee if you arrive before 2 pm," which could affect travel planning for RVers coming from a distance.
