The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Essex, MA

542 Reviews

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.

Map showing campgrounds near Essex, MassachusettsExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Essex, Massachusetts (82)

    1. Cape Ann Camp Site

    16 Reviews
    Gloucester, MA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 283-8683

    $36 - $44 / night

    "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."

    2. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    25 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 462-4481

    $28 - $38 / night

    "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."

    3. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    32 Reviews
    North Reading, MA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 475-7972

    $17 - $35 / night

    "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."

    4. Winter Island Park

    14 Reviews
    Salem, MA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 745-9430

    $35 - $105 / night

    "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."

    5. Beach Rose RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 463-0226

    "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

    14 Reviews
    South Hampton, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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

    43 Reviews
    Hingham, MA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 895-8245

    $17 - $23 / night

    "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."

    8. Wakeda Campground, LLC

    16 Reviews
    Exeter, NH
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 772-5274

    $48 - $97 / night

    "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."

    9. The Pines Camping Area

    4 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 465-0013

    $35 - $46 / night

    "There’s not much around here to do, but for us we enjoyed the calmness."

    10. Hampton Beach State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hampton, NH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 926-8990

    $70 / night

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 82 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Essex Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Essex, MA

262 Photos of 82 Essex Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Essex, MA

542 Reviews of 82 Essex Campgrounds

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Beach Rose RV Park

    Nice park

    Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • R
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sun Outdoors Wells Beach

    Zero wifi or cell signal

    Stayed back in 2023 with travel trailer and experienced almost zero wifi signal as well as verizon cell signal. Returned this past week and found no improvement whatsoever. This on back half of property. Manager stated they are awar and working on it. (For 2 years?). Could not plan anything, check weather unless you walked or drive up front. Light globes at various sites next to campers lit all night and were annoying so covered with bag. Some sites are just bad..huge pine tree at 428 caused camper to park his angled. Fire wood being sold is all pine & burns up immediately.

  • Cassie G.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Fun laid back place. This campground has a lot of potential. Some info on their website and Facebook isn’t accurate.

    I would like to share my experience this past weekend at Winding River in Exeter NH. My family of 3 Stayed at tent site 523 in the Oak area. We also had family at 553 and 554 and Cabin 2.

    About site 523: I clearly had one of the largest and most private tent sites. It was set back with a long driveway tucked between 522 and 524. It’s a very steep drop into the river making most sites a little nerve wracking with a little one. Online it said water available nearby. Most sites had a hookup but there wasn’t a one on my site. It looked like there may have been one to share on the road, but I didn’t end up needing to figure that out.

    Tent sites 522 and 524: Along with most of the tent sites these sites were very close to each other, much smaller and closer to the road. I wished my family members had gotten 552 and 553 as they blended together nicely if you are tenting in side by side spaces. The ground was very rocky making staking tents down difficult. They were right next to the bathroom which was convenient but loud. Ventilation in the bathroom was not good so the doors were propped open much of the time and loud hand dryers.

    Shower:

    • This is the smaller of the two bathrooms in the campground. There are 2 showers there. Each with a single insufficient curtain and no hooks on the wall or bench to place things down. Water was hot enough, pressure was ok if you set it to the high power massage-like setting.
    • The showers in other bathroom (near the town center area) had a door and two curtains. Some had hooks (some of which were broken). I almost tripped going in and out of these bathroom stalls because they are raised up but there is no marking on the ground to indicate that.

    Cabin 2: Ac worked well. There was a good sized bed downstairs, smaller beds in two lofts. I was surprised the couch didn’t pull out. Fridge and all dishes were nice and clean. All the cabins seem to have different back porch setups. This porch was smaller than C1. There was a propane grill that smelled rancid with sooo much caked on The burners. The location of the ceiling fan under the other lights in the ceiling gave them a flashing effect that really bothered me.

    Pros:

    • Lower price compared to other campgrounds (but I don’t feel like I got everything advertised on the website)
    • Two playgrounds, both were nice.
    • Water slide was fun
    • We arrived Thursday at the gate and were told how to get to our site, to set up and then come over to the office which was nice.

    Cons:

    • The river is very low and yucky so none of the boating or fishing advertised was possible. likely causing the massive amount of mosquitos.
    • The whole arcade building was was “out of order”
    • The laundry room had two washers (one was broken) and two dryers 2.50 each per load. Not sufficient for a campground this size (especially when people leave their clothes in the machine for 30 mins after they’re done!)
    • Camp store was poorly stocked (multiple empty coolers).
    • Ice $3 per SMALL bag.
    • Wood $10 per bundle and rules say you can’t bring from off-site. I saw people with huge metal bins of wood but was never offered that option when I payed for multiple bundles.
    • Camp store closes at 3 on Sunday and doesn’t open until 11 am during the week (which is also checkout). This made it a little confusing when I wanted to return the golf cart. They have a small area with icecream that is scooped and maybe a kitchen. I never saw it open but I think the sign said open morning to 12 and then again in the evening.
    • The pool was green and cloudy on day 3. I called the office and was told they had just shocked it and that was a result of the copper. I am not informed enough on pool safety so I opted out of swimming on the hottest day of our stay. My son was bummed.
    • Planned activities were only scheduled for Friday and Saturday, when online mentions “daily”. During adult kareoke there were plenty of kids and really poor wifi (wasting so much time between songs).

    And just to add:

    • Staff I encountered was friendly enough, but It would be nice if they wore shirts to identify themselves.
    • Golf cart was great, but cost more than the site per night.
    • Pedal go-carts were available for rent (I didn’t ask a price).
  • Rae Y.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Saddleback Campground

    Uncomfortable feeling for my girls

    I made everyone stay in the trailer every night , we just didn’t feel comfortable with our girls being out after dark. There was def a lot of questionable rif raf that were definitely on something and it was obvious that there were a few girls there that were working.   Always men working on vehicles.  Family will not go back. Don’t want my daughter around that

  • Savanna B.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Place is nice, can get loud

    It's a nice campground with a pool and hottub. The store is a little overpriced. Most of the staff is okay but there are some that are a little rude. It can get loud at times but it's mostly chill

Guide to Essex

Camping near Essex, Massachusetts, offers a great mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a place to enjoy outdoor adventures, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to all kinds of campers.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, provide easy access to lakes for kayaking. One reviewer mentioned, "Lots of great spots on the water, easy to put a kayak in from."
  • Hiking: Trails abound in places like Bear Brook State Park Campground. A camper noted, "There are hiking trails throughout the campground," making it perfect for those who love to explore.
  • Beach Days: If you’re near Salisbury Beach State Reservation, you can enjoy the beautiful ocean. One visitor said, "The ocean is absolutely gorgeous, clean, beautiful."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Greenfield State Park Campground. A long-time visitor shared, "If you like large sites in a wooded setting with many private ones, this is the place."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Normandy Farms Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. One reviewer mentioned, "The bathrooms/showers are spotless with piped in music and hairdryers."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Boston/Cape Cod KOA offer various activities for kids. A camper noted, "This is a nice campground with multiple site type options and activities for youth and young families."

What you should know:

  • Pet Policies: Some campgrounds, like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, have restrictions on pets. One reviewer pointed out, "Pets are NOT permitted in the campground or beach area during the summer season."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier conditions on weekends. A camper at Greenfield State Park Campground noted, "The weekend was packed! Our neighbors were playing karaoke till 11pm."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have extensive amenities. A visitor at Wompatuck State Park Campground mentioned, "There isn’t much to the RV sites but an electric plug."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like Normandy Farms Campground that offer playgrounds and organized activities. One parent said, "It has so many things for the kids to do."
  • Pack for the Beach: If you're heading to Salisbury Beach State Reservation, bring beach gear. A family-oriented reviewer noted, "Great place to go camping; everything you need is right there."
  • Plan for Mosquitoes: Be prepared with bug spray, especially in wooded areas like Bear Brook State Park Campground. A camper warned, "Our dog got covered in ticks, so watch for that."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may be tight. A visitor at Boston/Cape Cod KOA mentioned, "Our site was purely loose dirt with no grass or gravel."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: If you're in a spot like Normandy Farms Campground, be ready for uneven sites. One reviewer said, "We basically had to park sideways and use a lot of leveling blocks."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Campgrounds like Sandy Pines Campground are close to local attractions. A camper noted, "Great location for Goose Rocks Beach and exploring Kennebunkport."

Camping near Essex, Massachusetts, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Keep Exploring