Cabin camping options near Essex, Massachusetts typically include basic furnishings and varying levels of amenities. Most cabins in the region rent from May through October, with limited availability during winter months. Several campgrounds within a 45-minute drive of Essex offer cabin accommodations for visitors seeking shelter without the full tent camping experience.
What to do
Explore nearby beaches: Tent campers at Cape Ann Camp Site enjoy proximity to coastal attractions. "Very close to a nice beach nearby. Close to many towns and activities," notes one visitor who paid $60 per night for a 30-amp spot with water hookups.
Kayak on Pawtuckaway Lake: Water activities dominate at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, located about 45 miles from Essex. "This is a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," explains one camper.
Visit historic sites: Campers staying at Spacious Skies Minute Man can easily explore Revolutionary War landmarks. "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."
What campers like
Secluded woodland settings: Many campgrounds feature heavily wooded areas providing natural separation between sites. At Cape Ann Camp Site, one camper mentions, "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," while another notes "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc."
Water access: Lakefront sites at Wakeda Campground provide direct water access. "Its a nice no frills campground. We stayed in one of cabins and it served its purpose especially during a passing storm. It was nice to sit in the front porch and watch the storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach."
Clean facilities: Multiple campers cite well-maintained bathrooms and showers as important factors. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!" reports a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing varies: For most cabin rentals, early booking is essential. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "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."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have complicated entry procedures. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, "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."
Bathroom conditions vary widely: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Wakeda Campground reports, "We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean." Conversely, at Tuxbury Pond, "No hot water for showers, no separation between some tent sites, strong sewer smell in woman's restroom."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-focused amenities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities. "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great and there were great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music to name a few," notes a visitor to Winding River Campground.
Consider cabin size limitations: Most basic cabins accommodate 4-6 people maximum. One Winding River camper describes: "AC worked well. There was a good sized bed downstairs, smaller beds in two lofts. I was surprised the couch didn't pull out."
Check for pet restrictions: Many campgrounds restrict pets in cabins or certain areas. At Pawtuckaway State Park, one visitor observed, "I tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Normandy Farms Campground, careful planning pays off. "Both back-in and pull thrus are available as are sites with shade and full sun. Premium sites have paved patios while other sites are gravel. Roads are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV's to navigate."
Utilities vary by site type: Power and hookup options differ significantly. "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."
Road conditions affect accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. At Exeter Elms Campground, visitors report "Unkempt, potholed roads," while others note "Sites weren't bad, clean campground, pool & canoe rentals, family activities offered, short drive to the beaches."
