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Best Tent Camping near Gloucester, MA

500 Reviews

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.

Best Tent Sites Near Gloucester, Massachusetts (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Gloucester, MA

500 Reviews of 5 Gloucester Campgrounds

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. 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. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

  • Anna C.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Red Ledge Rebel Shell Rain Pants at Pawtuckaway State Park

    *CAMPGROUND REVIEW*

    This campground is definitely a dazzler and I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake and I would definitely visit this spot again, especially with how accessible the campground is. There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip. Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit as an added bonus.

    Pros: 

    -Within a short driving distance from the Boston area 

    -Lakefront sites available 

    -Canoe and kayak rentals available 

    -Well stocked convenience store 

    -Reasonable cell reception

    Cons: 

     -Can get busy during peak camping times 

     -Some sites have a lack of privacy

    *PRODUCT REVIEW*

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. During this trip, I took out a pair of Red Ledge Rain Pants. While it didn’t rain during my camping stay (great from a camper perspective, not so great from a reviewer perspective), I was able to try out the general fit of the pants. They have a nice stretch fit to them and a certainly one of the more stylish options as far as rain pants go. As is true for most waterproof gear, they run on the warmer side and don’t have a ton of ventilation so they may not be the best choice for hotter weather. Although I didn’t get to test out the pants in a camping setting, I did wear them a few days ago while making the 1.5 km evacuation route trek from my apartment to the flood shelter during one of the biggest typhoons to make landfall in Japan. After about 25-30 mins of walking in record breaking-ly heavy rain, the pants started to saturate around the knees and the upper thigh area started to get a bit soggy. That being said, this is probably the most extreme possible test setting and they did hold up reasonably well. Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier but may not necessarily need the insulative warmth offered by actual snow pants.

    Pros: 

    -Stylish look 

     -Stretch fit 

     -Waterproof 

     Cons: 

     -Trap heat 

     -Not typhoon proof

  • k
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Dixons Coastal Maine Campground

    LOTS of people but lovely campground

    This is an extremely large campground.  It seems that most of them on the coast of Maine are.  We didn't get a very good sight, but the person who answered the phone basically told us that when we called and it was all they had, so I can't say too much about that either (#17).  The sight was small and between the two driveways.  All of the sights seem to have rocky ground, so I recommend a sleep pad and a footprint for your tent so you don't rip the bottom.  

    Now, on to the other stuff.  There is a small playground that is weathered but in decent shape.  The pool is lovely and meticulously kept.  The grounds, bathrooms and showers are spotless.  It's 50 cents for 5 minutes to take a shower (unheard of) with hot water.  There is even hot water to wash your dishes next to the bathrooms.

    They sell ice, wood ($7) and many "I forgots" in the store (bacon, milk, etc...).  They give you a security card to get into the grounds ($10 deposit).  The campground was SUPER quiet and quiet hours go to 8am (thank you)!  Only an RV about to leave made a ton of noise at 7.

    I would go there again.  It was a safe place close to so many things.  The beach and everything else is VERY close but not so close as to be annoying.... 5 minutes at most.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2020

    Rocky Woods Reservation - Permanently Closed

    Back sites are best

    This campground operated by the Trustees offers centralized bathrooms and walk-in sites. There are 10 sites located on either side of the Noanet trail leaving from the parking area near Chickering Pond. The last five are off a spur trail a little farther from the parking lot. If you are looking for proximity to bathrooms and the pond, you can't beat site #1. It's one of the larger sites just off the trail, but it's also visible to people walking over from the parking lot to the pond. Wagons are available to help you transport your supplies to your campsite. This fall (2020) they offered weekend camping opportunities; website says they'll be open 2021 for camping and to check back next year for details.

    Sites 11-15 may be a slightly longer walk, but they are larger and more level. REI has made a donation toward campsite improvements. Some of the other sites are small, uneven, with roots and limited space for pitching a tent at a decent distance from the firepit. Site 5 & 6 share an entrance and may be nice if you are camping with friends. 

    The sites do come with picnic tables and most of the campsites offer grates with the firepit. The camp store offers water for sale if you forgot some. There is also running water at the visitor's center with a dishwashing sink, bathrooms and showers.

    There's plenty to keep you busy for a weekend, whether it's wandering the trails, paddling a canoe or kayak (you'll need to rent, you can't bring your own), fishing (catch and release), birdwatching, or searching for a geocache. There's a volleyball pit near the picnic pavilion. Up a short hill behind the visitor's center is a playground for kids that includes a small climbing wall and net. As long as it's dry, there are some mountain biking trails.

    3 bar cell coverage on Verizon.

Guide to Gloucester

Cape Ann's coastal environment offers distinctive camping options near Gloucester with granite outcroppings and maritime weather patterns that create unique camping conditions. The region's coastal woodland campsites typically range from sea level to 100 feet in elevation with temperatures moderated by ocean breezes. Summer camping season runs primarily May through October with limited off-season availability at select locations.

What to do

Beach exploration: Cape Ann Camp Site provides easy access to local beaches where campers can enjoy coastal activities. "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome... Very close to a nice beach too," notes Lajaun C. in their Cape Ann Camp Site review.

Island adventuring: Boston Harbor Islands offers unique exploration opportunities across multiple islands. According to Jess G., "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house. We ended up making a fire pit on the beach and a flat rock 'grill' to make our burgers."

Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. John S. reports seeing "wild turkeys, deer, etc." during his stay at Cape Ann, adding an element of nature observation to the camping experience.

What campers like

Wooded privacy: The tent sites at Camp Nihan Education Center provide a secluded feeling despite being close to urban areas. Michael V. describes it as "super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."

Ocean views: Sunset vistas over water rank high among camper preferences. One camper at Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground mentioned "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it."

Rustic camping with amenities: Cape Ann balances natural settings with necessary facilities. Della S. notes, "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."

What you should know

Shower facilities: Cape Ann Camp Site charges for showers. Ben E. mentions, "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change."

Terrain conditions: Sites at Cape Ann are unpaved. According to one reviewer, "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads." This affects setup and can impact comfort during rainy periods.

Reservation timing: For the best tent camping near Gloucester, Massachusetts, book well in advance for summer dates. Martha H. advises for Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance."

Tips for camping with families

Small child-friendly options: Camp Nihan offers terrain suitable for young campers. Michael V. describes it as "Perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping. We went camping here with our SpiralScout Circle, kids aged 4-8."

Pack adequate water: When camping on islands, bring sufficient drinking water for all family members. The ferry logistics can make water transport challenging, especially with children.

Consider ferry logistics: Plan ahead for transportation to island campgrounds. Jean C. recommends, "If you have a folding wagon, you may appreciate having it to carry items on and off the ferry and to your site on the island."

Tips from RVers

Site variability: Cape Ann Camp Site has a mix of site types with varying privacy levels. One camper notes, "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," which is important for RVers seeking privacy.

Hookup specifications: For those needing the best tent camping near Gloucester with RV options, Cape Ann offers various hookups. Lajaun C. confirms, "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi."

Dump station location: Cape Ann's dump station is positioned near the entrance. A reviewer mentions "near the street there is a 'dump station'" which provides important logistical information for RV waste management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gloucester, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gloucester, MA is Cape Ann Camp Site with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gloucester, MA?

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