Camping near Cohasset offers diverse options from oceanfront sites to forested retreats within a 30-mile radius. The South Shore region features kettle ponds formed by glacial retreat 10,000 years ago, providing unique swimming and fishing opportunities. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with coastal humidity that can make tent camping damp without proper ventilation.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: At Winter Island Park in Salem, the rocky shoreline reveals tide pools worth investigating. According to one visitor, "There's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there" and the "beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks."
Whale watching excursions: Cape Ann Camp Site provides a convenient base for marine wildlife tours departing from Gloucester. A camper mentioned, "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views."
Historic site visits: Hanscom AFB FamCamp in Bedford offers military families access to Revolutionary War landmarks. "In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond, so the campground makes a great basecamp for exploration of the area's rich culture and history," notes a reviewer.
Paddling kettle ponds: Pinewood Lodge Campground in Plymouth features a pond with docks for relaxing or launching watercraft. One camper shared, "We were lucky enough to get a site by the pond. There was great views from our site of the pond. On the site there was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on."
What campers like
Military camping conveniences: Fourth Cliff Recreation Area in Humarock caters specifically to service members with full hook-ups and house rentals. A reviewer noted it's "a great place for military members. Full hook ups, houses to rent, tent sites, and lots to do. Once the season closes very quiet, lots of stores in the area close."
Oceanfront camping: Winter Island Park provides direct access to Salem Harbor with views and swimming. A camper shared, "Camping on the oceanfront was a rare treat!" while another mentioned the practical transportation options: "It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day."
Organized activities: Normandy Farms Campground in Foxborough delivers resort-style amenities and scheduled events. "It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean. I highly recommend staying here. It was a lot of fun," reported one visitor.
Proximity to Boston: When seeking glamping in Cohasset, Massachusetts area, location matters. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views," wrote a Winter Island Park visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Advance planning is essential for popular sites. For glamping near Cohasset, Massachusetts options like Myles Standish State Forest, one reviewer advised: "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings."
Wildlife encounters: Coastal campgrounds attract nocturnal animals. A Winter Island camper warned: "The cons were the noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from raccoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers). We ended up leaving earlier than planned to avoid another night with the skunk activity."
Shower facilities vary: Be prepared for different shower setups. At Pinewood Lodge, one camper noted: "Don't like that you have to pay for hot water though," while at Winter Island Park, "The camp grounds are quiet and there are big curious ground hogs. Attendants are very thoughtful."
Alcohol restrictions: State regulations affect what you can bring. At Myles Standish State Forest, a camper pointed out: "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA in Middleboro offers numerous activities for children. "As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground," a visitor observed.
Pond swimming spots: Ellis-Haven Family Campground provides water recreation for all ages. A repeat visitor shared: "I grew up going to ellis haven every summer now i'm continuing that same tradition with my children. Ellis haven is not only beautiful there's always something to do."
Fire restrictions: Check local rules before planning s'mores. At Winter Island Park, "There are no ground fires allowed here, but you can rent a portable fire pit from the camp store for $10. Each campsite has a charcoal grill," explained one camper.
Camp store supplies: Some locations offer essentials for forgotten items. At Cape Ann Camp Site, a visitor noted: "They have a nice little store on-site for anything you forgot. It is also close enough to stores if you need more. Very close to a nice beach too."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Cape Ann Camp Site, RV sites have different characteristics than tent areas. A reviewer pointed out: "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites. Clean Bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents). The owners are very helpful."
Limited availability: Winter Island Park has few RV spaces. "Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites!" advised an experienced camper.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have on-site dumping. For Winter Island Park, "The dump station is not on site; ask at the office about arrangements for this," noted one RVer.
Pull-through options: For larger vehicles, Normandy Farms offers convenient sites. "We chose a paved full hook-up pull thru with paved patio. Our site was easy to navigate in and out of and was definitely big rig-friendly with ample space for our motorhome and tow car," shared a visitor.
