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Blayne K.
Scout
ScoutYork Beach Camper Park
Great little mom and pop campground with tent and RV sites
Great little mom and pop campground with tent and RV sites
Camping near Essex, MA
87 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Essex, Massachusetts lies within convenient reach of several established campgrounds, most of which are located within 20 miles of town. Cape Ann Camp Site in nearby Gloucester provides wooded tent and RV sites with electric hookups, while Winter Island Park in Salem offers waterfront camping with easy access to urban amenities. The surrounding coastal region supports multiple camping styles, including traditional tent sites, RV parks with full hookups, and a few locations with cabin rentals and glamping options. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally, typically from May through October.
Many campgrounds near Essex require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when coastal New England draws significant tourism. "Many campgrounds are clean but very rustic. Facilities are on the old side. Great beach access and friendly staff," noted one camper about Cape Ann Camp Site. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with warm summers and crisp falls, making September and early October particularly pleasant for camping. Winter camping is generally unavailable as most facilities close after Columbus Day weekend. The terrain throughout the area is relatively flat to gently rolling, with many sites situated near coastal features. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though amenities vary significantly.
Campers consistently mention coastal access as a primary advantage of camping in this region. Several visitors highlighted the proximity to beaches and waterfront views, with Winter Island Park receiving particular praise for its oceanfront location. According to reviews, "Camping on the oceanfront was a rare treat!" Sites at Cape Ann have been described as "nice and wooded" with good privacy between campsites at many locations. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds are available at several campgrounds, though bathroom facilities at some locations have been noted as basic or dated. The region's campgrounds serve as excellent base camps for exploring coastal Massachusetts attractions, including Salem's historic sites, Gloucester's fishing heritage, and numerous beaches throughout Cape Ann.
Best Campgrounds near Essex (87)
1. Cape Ann Camp Site
"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 Availability2. Salisbury Beach State Reservation
"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 Availability3. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
"Every site seems to have its own water spigot, though it's not necessarily conveniently located if you want to hook up a trailer/RV. There are 11 sites with water/electric."
"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 $21 - $45 / night
Check Availability4. Winter Island Park
"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 Availability5. Beach Rose RV Park
"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
"Kids had enough driving for the day so we had to stop. We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating."
6. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground
"entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."
"We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"
7. Wompatuck State Park Campground
"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 Availability8. Wakeda Campground, LLC
"We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."
"Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."
from $48 - $97 / night
Check Availability9. The Pines Camping Area
"There’s not much around here to do, but for us we enjoyed the calmness."
from $35 - $46 / night
Check Availability10. Hampton Beach State Park Campground
"One side of the campground is bordered by an inlet that fishing boats use to head out from the harbor. Another side is sand dunes, that are the south end of Hampton beach."
"Hampton Beach SP is a small beachside campground for self-contained RVs only; if you’re in a tent, you may want to look south to Salisbury SP just a few miles across the border into MA."
from $70 / night
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Drive Time
- 41 min from Boston, MA
- 58 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 14 min from Worcester, MA
- 1 hr 22 min from Providence, RI
Recent Camping Photos near Essex, MA
227 Photos of 87 Essex Campgrounds
Della S.
Cape Ann Camp Site
Tanya W.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Michael V.
Camp Nihan Education Center
Sable W.
Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
Jake H.
Black Bear Campground
The Dyrt
Tuxbury Pond RV Campground
Jean C.
Tidewater Campground
Pawsfuradventure T.
Wakeda Campground, LLC
Jean C.
Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
Jim G.
Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort
Lisa H.
Winding River Campground
Nancy W.
Seacoast Camping and RV Resort
Recent Reviews near Essex, MA
565 Reviews of 87 Essex Campgrounds
- R
Ralph C.
TravelerHanscom AFB FamCamp
Worst Military Campground
Published 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
Heather H.ScoutSea Coast Camping and RV Resort
Great Spot
This 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.
Julie S.
GuideWinter Island Park
Can’t beat the view
I 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!
Nancy W.
LegendPinewood Lodge Campground
Nice woodsy campsite with lots of amenities
We 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.
- rroy T.Scout
Country Barn Motel & Campground
Very appealing cabins
I stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
Alizé B.ScoutField and Stream RV Park
Highly recommend
Amazing place and community, unfortunately very expensive.
Sue B.
RangerSalisbury Beach State Reservation
Love camping here!
The first time we camped here was on Columbus Day weekend a number of years ago, and we got to see seals sun bathing on the beach. Are kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! The sites are a little close together and many of them are in direct sunlight , so that isn't the greatest , but if you have an awning, you should be good. We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too. Write down the street from camp, there is a street setup almost like a boardwalk, with arcades, live music, ice cream, food, and a carousel! There is also a bigger beach, and you are one twin away from New Hampshire. Lots to see and do here!
DevinScoutWinding River Campground
Close Sites, Loved the River!
My husband and I had a great time here! We went early in the season, so there were not many people there. We met the new owners/managers and they were very friendly. David was attentive and very helpful!
We stayed in the Oak Section at 317. The sites are pretty close together, which is why I gave a 4. We didn’t have neighbors, but I can imagine on a busy weekend, it might get crowded. The Utilities at this site were in an awkward spot, compared to where we wanted the camper.
Guide to Essex
Camping options around Essex, Massachusetts include small coastal campgrounds and larger state parks within a 20-mile radius. Water and electric hookups are standard at most sites, while seasonal camping remains prevalent with most facilities closing by mid-October. The summer peak season requires advance planning, with local campgrounds filling quickly from June through August. Shoulder seasons offer more availability with mild temperatures ideal for outdoor activities.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Harold Parker State Forest Campground offers extensive trail networks through wooded areas. "There are lots of trails and ponds," notes Kelly F. from Lorraine Park Campground. The forest environment provides shaded paths suitable for warm-weather exploration.
Beach activities: Multiple campgrounds provide beach access within short distances. "We really enjoyed camping and going to the beach. The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits," reports Dan from Cape Ann Camp Site. Salisbury Beach State Reservation places campers steps from the water.
Historical exploration: Camping at Winter Island Park offers proximity to Salem's historical attractions. "The park has a full time bathroom attendant from 8 AM to 8 PM, so restrooms and showers were well kept. There are wildlife like skunks, racoons do put food in car," advises Candace H. from Winter Island Park.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Sites with natural separation receive positive feedback. "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome," writes Lajaun C. about Cape Ann Camp Site. Natural vegetation and mature trees provide privacy at many locations.
Bathroom facilities: Maintained restrooms rank highly in camper satisfaction. "Awesome park. It was a quiet night and bathrooms where clean. Has spacious showers. Park rangers drive around campground often," says Marisabel R. from Lorraine Park Campground.
Water access: Oceanfront or pond-adjacent sites earn consistently high ratings. "Big sites with water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in," writes Migdalia G. about camping options in the area. Water recreation remains a primary regional attraction.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites," notes Rae M. about Winter Island Park. Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day fill fastest.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. "It opens about a month before Memorial Day weekend for a quieter shoulder season," explains Jean C. about Hampton Beach State Park Campground.
Site sizing variations: RV sites can be limited at some locations. "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," reports Marianne O. from Wakeda Campground. Some campgrounds feature primarily seasonal residents with limited transient availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. "The playground is perfect for kids, the creek is right behind you which gave us beautiful views right outside our RV window(s)," shares Stephanie from The Pines Camping Area.
Beach proximity: Oceanfront options offer family-friendly activities. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!" says Sara D. about Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Pool alternatives: Some campgrounds offer swimming options besides the ocean. "Campground was great. Nice sites plenty of space and with a full park for the weekend you didn't feel on top of each other," notes Ryan B. about campground amenities in the region.
Tips from RVers
Site placement: Hookup locations vary between campgrounds. "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," shares Nancy W. from Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Seasonal differences: Off-peak camping provides more privacy but fewer amenities. "We stayed at Wakeda Campground overnight during a trip from Maine back to Long Island, NY. It was located very close off of 95 and allows pets. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest," writes Pawsfuradventure T. about Wakeda Campground.
Electrical requirements: Many campgrounds feature both 30 and 50 amp service. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," confirms Zachary W. about electrical reliability at regional campgrounds. Extension cords may be necessary at some locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Essex, MA?
Which is the most popular campground near Essex, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Essex, MA is Cape Ann Camp Site with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
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