Best Campgrounds near Gloucester, MA
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.
