Best Tent Camping near Gloucester, MA
The coastal region surrounding Gloucester, Massachusetts offers tent campers several established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and natural settings. Cape Ann Camp Site, located at 80 Atlantic Street in Gloucester, provides wooded tent campsites with more privacy than their RV areas. This campground operates seasonally from May 15 to October 15 and features clean facilities with pay showers. For those seeking a more adventurous tent camping experience, Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers primitive tent camping on several islands accessible only by ferry, including Peddocks Island with six dedicated tent sites.
Tent sites at Cape Ann Camp Site are set on natural terrain with some areas prone to mud during rainy periods. The campground provides fire pits, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms with showers that cost 25 cents for five minutes. Cell service can be limited at the campsites, though WiFi is available at the office. For tent campers heading to Boston Harbor Islands, preparation is essential as most islands require bringing all supplies including drinking water. Composting toilets are available, but amenities are minimal. Reservations for these tent-only camping areas open six months in advance and fill quickly during summer months.
Tent campers frequently mention the wooded privacy at Cape Ann as a highlight. According to reviews, "The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites" that are "surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private." The campground's proximity to beaches is another advantage, with one camper noting it was "very close to a nice beach." At Boston Harbor Islands, the primitive tent camping experience requires more effort but rewards visitors with unique coastal views. One camper reported that "exploring the island was awesome" with opportunities to discover historic bunkers and create beach campfires. Wildlife sightings including wild turkeys and deer have been reported at Cape Ann, adding to the backcountry tent camping feel despite being in an established campground.