Glamping options near Dedham, Massachusetts extend beyond the well-known sites with various alternative accommodations appearing throughout the region. Located approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston, Dedham sits at an elevation of 120 feet and experiences typical New England weather patterns including warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Peak camping season runs from May through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months.
What to do
Pond swimming and fishing: Several campgrounds offer pond access for swimming and fishing opportunities. At Myles Standish State Forest, "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds... We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us. The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse."
History exploration: Visit historic sites surrounding the glamping destinations. "We stayed at Hanscom, loved staying right across from a runway!!! We loved watching planes come and go!" notes a reviewer at Hanscom AFB FamCamp, which offers "proximity to the base... but the quiet location is a recreational retreat... In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond."
Ferry adventures: Take boat excursions between islands when staying at harbor campgrounds. "Just getting to the island is a fun adventure. The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets. During the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore."
What campers like
Private sites: Campers appreciate the secluded settings at certain campgrounds. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites. The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites." Another camper noted, "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views."
Off-season experiences: Many enjoy the quieter atmosphere outside peak summer months. "The Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves," reports a camper at Myles Standish State Forest. Similarly, at other campgrounds, weekdays offer significantly less crowding than weekends.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers enhance the camping experience. At George Washington State Campground, "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds."
What you should know
Shower costs: Many campgrounds require quarters for showers. At George Washington State Campground showers cost "$1.50 for 6 mins" while at Pinewood Lodge Campground, a reviewer mentioned: "Site was level, staff was awesome. They do have a dog park and plenty of things to do. Didn't like that you have to pay for hot water though."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance, especially for specialized accommodations. For Boston Harbor Islands, "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."
Alcohol policies: State parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "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," notes a visitor at Myles Standish State Forest, though private campgrounds often permit alcohol.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Choose campgrounds with structured activities for children. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts." The reviewer noted these activities made their stay enjoyable despite some facilities issues.
Beach access: Select sites near ponds or beaches for water recreation. "There is a nice beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe. The dogs cannot go on the beach, but they can go in the boats," shares a visitor at George Washington State Campground.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or activities. At Winter Island Park, a camper reported: "Being so close to the beach had its pros and cons. The pros were the great view, easy put in for our kayaks, and convenience for fishing and trail walking. The cons were the noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from raccoons and skunks at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully based on privacy needs. "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. All utilities were well-placed and functioned properly," notes a camper at Normandy Farms Campground.
Site upgrades: Consider premium sites for more space and amenities. "I have belonged to KOA's for quite a few years and I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. With that being said I did not take my own advice and I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited RV access during shoulder seasons. At Hanscom AFB FamCamp, there are "limited sites available off season. Summer season early May through end October." Most area campgrounds close completely from November through April.
