84 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Gloucester, Massachusetts ranges from full-service private grounds to state parks with more basic setups. Wakeda Campground has good-sized campsites for families and includes standard bathroom facilities. Many campers head to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground for its hiking trails and lake access. Bear Brook State Park Campground has both standard sites and simple cabins where you can see stars clearly on clear nights. Wompatuck State Park Campground allows dogs on most trails and tends to be quieter than other nearby options. The summer months fill up fast in this area, so you'll need to reserve spots months ahead. Keep your food secured since raccoons and other wildlife are common around campsites. The fall camping season brings cooler nights and red and orange leaves throughout the forests. Some brave campers stay during winter, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. Spring camping means fewer people but sometimes wet conditions as the ground thaws. Most state park campgrounds have basic bathrooms but limited hookups, so check what each place has before you go. You might need to bring your own water to some of the more remote spots. Being close to the coast means you can camp and still take day trips to beaches around Gloucester. Both tent campers and RV owners can find spots that work for them in this region. Try to leave your campsite as clean as you found it. The mix of forest and coastal areas makes this part of Massachusetts worth the trip for weekend campers.
"Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites. The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites."
"Grocery shopping at Market Basket (great store) & laundry in Gloucester."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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 Availability"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"
"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
Check Availability"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 Availability"There’s not much around here to do, but for us we enjoyed the calmness."
from $35 - $46 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe had plans on both sides of the state line, so the location worked really well for our trip. We spent one day around Massachusetts and another up toward New Hampshire without having to relocate the RV. Nice option if your trip isn’t centered around just one destination.
ScoutWe travel in a larger RV and always check campground access before deciding where to stay. We were able to get situated without turning arrival day into an ordeal, which anyone with a big rig knows is a win.
TravelerI recently spent 5 days here camping with my dog and my family and we enjoyed it immensely! The staff was all extremely kind, helpful, and they worked hard to keep the campground clean. The bathrooms especially wete always clean. Its nice to be able to be comfortably in the woods while also having other amenities within 15-20 minute driving to pick up things we forgot or a little adventure. The sites were huge and had plenty of space for all our stuff and were all extremely well maintained.
ScoutReally nice little campground. We loved how peaceful it was, especially in the mornings when the lake was quiet. We made coffee, sat outside by the camper, and watched the water before starting our day. The campground was clean and our hookups worked perfectly. Nothing complicated or overdone, just a comfortable place to camp and enjoy being outside. We would definitely return.
TravelerA mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
ScoutWe wanted somewhere outside the city where we could stay with our RV but still be close enough to drive into Boston for the day. Berry’s Grove worked really well for that. After spending the day sightseeing, it was nice coming back somewhere quiet and relaxing by the lake.
ScoutWe wanted to spend a day in Boston but had zero interest in bringing the RV into the city. Berry’s Grove gave us a completely different experience. We could do the sightseeing and crowds during the day and come back somewhere much calmer at night.
ScoutThe location is what made this place for us. Waking up and being able to walk right down to the water was great. We spent most of our stay fishing, sitting outside, and just enjoying the campground. It is not one of those huge campgrounds packed with activities, which was honestly exactly what we wanted. Small, peaceful, and a nice place to enjoy some downtime.
ScoutWe stopped at Berry’s Grove while traveling through Massachusetts and were really happy with our stay. The hookups were convenient, our site was easy to get into, and having water and sewer right there made things simple.
Camping near Gloucester, Massachusetts provides access to both coastal shorelines and wooded inland settings throughout Essex County. Most campgrounds in the region maintain operating seasons from May through mid-October due to New England's cold winters. Cape Ann Camp Site features wooded sites with electricity and water hookups just 2 miles from Gloucester's beaches and fishing areas.
Beach access and fishing: Cape Ann Camp Site sits close to several beaches where campers can swim, fish, and explore. "Cape Anne is beautiful. 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 could walk for ever," notes Ron C.
Urban exploration: Winter Island Park campground provides an ideal base for visiting Salem, less than 2 miles from the ferry terminal. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day," reports Rae M.
Hiking and biking trails: Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest offers extensive trail networks through 3,000 acres of conservation land. "Large sites. Clean bathroom. There are lots of trails and ponds," explains Kelly F. The trails range from beginner-friendly loops to more challenging terrain suitable for mountain biking.
Secluded wooded campsites: Cape Ann Camp Site provides natural settings with substantial privacy between sites. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc.," according to John S. The wooded terrain helps create natural separation between campsites.
Oceanfront camping: Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers direct beach access with full hookup sites for $47/night. "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.
Wildlife viewing: Sites throughout the region provide opportunities to observe native New England wildlife. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," reports a visitor to Wakeda Campground. Bird watchers should bring binoculars, especially during spring migration from April through June.
Shower facilities vary: Some campgrounds charge for showers while others include them. At Winter Island Park, "The park has a full time bathroom attendant from 8 AM to 8 PM, so restrooms and showers were well kept," notes Cynthia K. At other locations, quarters may be required for hot water.
Mosquito preparation: Bug spray is essential, especially in areas near marshland. One camper at The Pines Camping Area reported: "The con of this camp ground was the misquote, we went through 3 deep woods cans in just the first night. They were crazy and kids were eaten alive."
Fire regulations: Many campgrounds prohibit ground fires or limit fire sources. "There are no ground fires allowed here, but you can rent a portable fire pit from the camp store for $10," explains a Winter Island Park visitor. Always check specific fire rules when reserving sites.
Playground access: Wompatuck State Park Campground includes recreation areas designed for children. "We had a lot of fun camping at Wompatuck. Definitely bring bikes to do some exploring. We found a large pond and an underground bunker to venture into," suggests Jess G.
Site selection matters: Request sites away from bathhouses if you have early-sleeping children. "There was a gentleman that started setting up for a comedy show that they would be doing that night. A staff member came to our site and let us know that there is an 18+ comedy show but there was a children's movie being played on a big screen on the other side of the campground," reports a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Wildlife education: Many campgrounds feature ranger programs about local wildlife. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," notes one visitor to Harold Parker State Forest.
Seaside hookups available: Beach Rose RV Park offers full-service sites approximately 1 mile from Salisbury Beach. "Great campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! It's only about a mile from the beach. We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach," shares Ray C.
Site dimensions matter: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem," explains a visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation. RVs over 35 feet should call ahead to confirm site suitability.
Early booking essential: Most campgrounds within 30 minutes of Gloucester require reservations months in advance, especially for weekend stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Sites at Hampton Beach State Park Campground often book up a full year ahead, with one visitor noting it "is extremely popular" with its oceanfront location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Gloucester, MA?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Gloucester, MA. Cape Ann Camp Site offers clean, quiet accommodations with beautiful tent sites and RV options just minutes from Gloucester and Rockport. The campground features clean bathrooms with pay showers, and the owners are known for being helpful with reservations. Another option is Winter Island Park, which provides basic campsites with electric hookups available for RVs. Most RV sites are in the main parking lot or a nearby field, while tent sites are generally grassy. These campgrounds serve as great base camps for exploring Gloucester's scenic coastal areas, historic sites, and fresh seafood restaurants.
Is there beach camping available at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester?
There is no official beach camping available directly at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. The beach is a day-use area that closes in the evening and doesn't permit overnight camping. For beach camping near Gloucester, consider Salisbury Beach State Reservation, which offers beachfront camping about 30 minutes north of Gloucester. The reservation features water and electrical hookups, though sites are close together with minimal privacy. For a private beach camping option, Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury provides a clean, family-owned facility near the beach with a swimming pool and friendly staff.
Can you RV camp in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
Yes, RV camping is available near Gloucester, Massachusetts. Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers RV sites with hookups for military families and active duty personnel, located within reasonable driving distance to Gloucester. The wooded setting provides a pleasant atmosphere for RVers. Another option for RV enthusiasts is Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest, less than 25 miles north of Boston and within easy driving distance to Gloucester. The campground provides a convenient base for exploring the Massachusetts coast while offering various on-site activities. Most RV parks in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What camping options are available in Cape Ann near Gloucester?
Cape Ann offers several camping options near Gloucester. The Pines Camping Area provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and accommodations for big rigs near the Salisbury area of Cape Ann. For those seeking a coastal camping experience, Coastal Acres Campground offers sites within the Cape Ann region. The area around Cape Ann typically features campgrounds with basic amenities, though facilities vary by location. Most campgrounds in this scenic coastal region provide convenient access to beaches, hiking trails, and charming New England towns. Due to Cape Ann's popularity, especially during summer months, advance reservations are highly recommended.
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