Campgrounds near Chelmsford, Massachusetts range across diverse terrain from riverside settings to wooded retreats. Most operate seasonally from April through October when temperatures average 50-75°F, with fall bringing cooler nights and colorful foliage. Area campgrounds generally sit at elevations between 100-500 feet, with some offering access to small lakes and ponds for water activities.
What to do
Golfing options: 9-hole course is available at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry. "Family-owned campground with lots to do. This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," according to a review from Christy C.
Water recreation: swimming beaches and boating at Sandy Beach Campground offers swimming and boating opportunities. "Sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site," notes Robert M. The campground also has "two pools (closed for the season during our stay), pavilion, activities/entertainment."
Historical sites: Revolutionary War landmarks within 30 minutes of Spacious Skies Minute Man. "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord so spend a morning in this special city," writes Ann B.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Many visitors to Beach Rose RV Park appreciate the cleanliness and management. "Nice, clean, friendly staff, small sites. Great campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! It's only about a mile from the beach," reports Ray C.
Beach proximity: Access to coastal beaches is convenient from several rv sites near Chelmsford. "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach. We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine," shares one Beach Rose RV Park visitor.
Entertainment and activities: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers organized events. "The band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean & our 9 yr old did not get any of the jokes that were a little sassy," reports Sara D. The campground features "a pavilion, activities/entertainment, fairly quiet during quiet hours, laundromat, playground, dog park, boating pond, Horse shoe & Basketball court."
What you should know
Seasonal camper concentration: Several campgrounds around Chelmsford have a high percentage of permanent seasonal campers. At Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park, "50 percent or more is seasonal camp sites. Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy," writes John L.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," reports ana about Tuxbury Pond RV Campground. This may affect your ability to work remotely or maintain contact while camping.
Weekend vs. weekday atmosphere: Many campgrounds experience different energy levels throughout the week. "Very quiet during the week, weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night. Very loud until after 10:00 on Friday/Saturday," notes John L. about Woodmore Family Campground.
GPS navigation challenges: Follow campground directions rather than GPS. "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance," warns Sara D. about Tuxbury Pond.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer heated swimming pools for family enjoyment. At Seacoast Camping and RV Resort, "The park recently added new 50 amp full hook-up sites(some of which are pull-thrus) so there are plenty of options for big-rigs. Half of the park is seasonal campers(which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients," reports Nancy W.
Kid-friendly activities: Playgrounds and organized events keep children entertained. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!" writes Kristen L. about Tuxbury Pond.
Holiday weekend planning: Book well in advance for special weekends. "We spent the weekend of the 4th...The sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines," notes Becca A. about Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts.
Off-peak stays: For quieter family experiences, consider mid-week visits. "Quiet, beautiful campground! Our site had big beautiful trees behind us lots of shade. Fire pit is sat on a slab of concrete or something it was amazing!" shares Crystal C. about Seacoast Camping and RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully when booking RV sites near Chelmsford. "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. They recently seeded the area so new grass was starting to grow. 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," explains Nancy W. about Seacoast Camping.
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer complete services for recreational vehicles. "Spacious Skies Minute Man is a forested haven so close to Boston that you think you are in the country. There are so many cool things to do just a short drive away," notes Ann B.
Off-season discounts: Look for special deals outside peak season. "We chose this campground because we got a booking discount on the Dyrt app," mentions Sara D. about Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Late check-in procedures: Verify after-hours protocols. "Late check-in (7:45 p.m.) was a bit tricky — an envelope with a key card and map were placed in a mailbox for us due to store/office closing @ 6 but no mention of this in the confirmation email," warns a Tuxbury Pond visitor.
