1 campground with availability this weekend
State parks and conservation areas surrounding Franklin Town, Massachusetts offer several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from island tent sites requiring ferry access to wooded walk-in tent campsites closer to the road. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground in Hingham provides tent camping on multiple islands including Peddocks, Lovells, Grape, and Bumpkin. Camp Nihan Education Center in Saugus offers walk-in tent sites in a wooded setting. For tent campers willing to travel slightly farther, Buck Hill Campground in Rhode Island provides rustic tent-only camping in a rural forest environment.
Tent campsites at Boston Harbor Islands require advance planning and ferry transportation. Reservations open six months ahead and fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. Campers must bring all supplies including water, as most islands have minimal facilities beyond composting toilets. At Camp Nihan, sites feature dirt pads with some uneven terrain and exposed roots. Most tent campgrounds in the region provide fire rings and picnic tables, though fire regulations vary seasonally. Buck Hill Campground offers primitive tent camping with few amenities beyond basic restrooms and porta-potties, making it suitable for self-sufficient tent campers seeking a no-frills experience.
The terrain at many walk-in tent sites varies considerably from site to site. According to reviews, Boston Harbor Islands tent sites require carrying gear from ferry landings, with some campers recommending folding wagons for transport. One visitor noted, "Make sure you bring enough drinking water and are comfortable using composting toilets." At Buck Hill Campground, tent sites accommodate larger groups with 10+ tents per cluster, many positioned along Wakefield Pond for water access. The heavily wooded setting provides natural shade for tent campers. Camp Nihan offers what one camper described as "a perfect blend of rugged and convenient" tent camping, with sites close to parking while maintaining a genuine forest experience. Backcountry tent camping options are limited in this region, with most sites being established rather than truly primitive.
"Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."
"This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $55 / night
"All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents). many of the sites are also along Wakefield Pond (big enough lake for canoe/kayak/etc."
"The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
from $46 - $50 / night
"Spots are hard to find.dorothy gave us a great spot near rest rooms and showers for the kids. Every single person we met was a delight and overly generous to us and our kids."
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
LegendI’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
ScoutAfter a busy summer, we wanted somewhere we could just park the camper and slow down for a few days. Sterling Park worked out great for that. We spent one morning fishing, walked the trails later in the day and finished the evening around the fire. Nothing complicated, just a really enjoyable camping weekend.
ScoutWe came with another family and had a blast. The kids disappeared together for half the day while the adults hung around the sites. Between fishing, the pool and the other activities, everyone found something they liked. Would definatly come back.
ScoutOur kids are already asking when we can go back. They loved the pool, playground and all the space to run around. We mostly just sat back and enjoyed having a few days off.
ScoutBrought our camper up for a long weekend and had plenty of room to relax. The campground store was also super handy when we realized we forgot a few things.
GuideHard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.
- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
ScoutWe have been coming here seasonally and its become our little weekend escape. There is always something going on and the kids have made so many friends. Makes it easy to just pack a few things and head out.
Tent campsites near Franklin Town, Massachusetts provide varied camping experiences across several established tent campgrounds in the region. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, accessible primarily by boat, offers tent camping opportunities from June through Labor Day weekend. Camp Nihan Education Center, located about 30 miles northeast of Franklin Town, provides another tent camping option with both cabin and tent accommodation types.
Most tent sites in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Camp Nihan provides toilets, showers, picnic tables, and trash disposal, making it suitable for campers seeking more conveniences. In contrast, several campgrounds in neighboring Rhode Island, such as Buck Hill Campground, offer more primitive experiences with minimal services. Most locations permit campfires where designated fire rings are available, though seasonal restrictions may apply. Campers should verify drinking water availability before arrival, as many sites do not provide this essential resource. Sites typically accommodate standard tent setups on natural surfaces.
The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations in the Franklin Town region. Boston Harbor Islands provides a unique island camping adventure requiring ferry transportation, offering a blend of nature and views of the Boston skyline. Several tent camping areas north and west of Franklin Town provide forest settings with access to hiking trails and water features. Visitors should prepare for varying levels of solitude depending on the season and location. As one camper noted of the Boston Harbor Islands, "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it." Camp Nihan received similar positive feedback, with a reviewer describing it as the "perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping," noting its wooded setting despite proximity to parking areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Franklin Town, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Franklin Town, MA is Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Franklin Town, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Franklin Town, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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