Camping near Greenbush, Massachusetts offers excellent waterfront opportunities with temperatures ranging between 45-80°F throughout the peak camping season of May to October. The coastal location provides consistent sea breezes that help keep mosquito populations lower than inland campgrounds. The sandy soil typical of the region makes for well-draining campsites even after heavy rain.
What to do
Bike trail exploration: Mount your bike at Wompatuck State Park Campground where you can enjoy both paved and unpaved paths. The park features well-maintained riding trails with minimal elevation changes, making it suitable for beginners and families. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," mentions Mike M. about the riding conditions.
Pond swimming: Cool off at Pinewood Lodge Campground where freshwater swimming is available from June through September. The swimming area includes a sandy beach area though it retains some natural elements. "The pond was pretty dirty and you'll be in close proximity to a shooting range and municipal airport (be wary of noise levels)," notes Chris P., providing important context for your visit.
Historical exploration: Visit the historic forts and markers at Winter Island Park to learn about coastal defense systems. Located just steps from your campsite, these structures date back centuries and provide educational opportunities. "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering," explains Jean C., highlighting the variety of historical elements available.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Normandy Farms Campground maintains exceptionally well-kept bathrooms and showers, unusual for such a large operation. With regular cleaning schedules and modern fixtures, the facilities stand out among area campgrounds. "Bathrooms are best of any campground. Highly recommend," states Matt T., confirming the attention to cleanliness.
Pond views: Many sites at Pinewood Lodge Campground offer direct water access and scenic views. These waterfront sites typically cost $5-10 more per night but provide immediate pond access. "We were lucky enough to get a site by the pond. There was great views from our site of the pond. On the site there was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on," shares Laurie.
Natural seclusion: Despite being near urban areas, many sites feel private with adequate tree coverage. The pine forests typical of southeastern Massachusetts provide natural sound barriers between sites. "Sites are more secluded than other camp grounds but can be a bit small. Bathrooms are nice and dumpsters available for trash," notes Tim L. about Wompatuck State Park.
What you should know
Shower facilities: Many campgrounds in the area charge for hot water showers. Bring quarters (typically 25 cents for 3-5 minutes) for shower operation. "Hot showers were awesome (.25 cents per 3 minutes) and the stone fire pits were a hit," reports Chris P. about Pinewood Lodge's facilities.
Reservation requirements: Peak season bookings for the best places to camp near Greenbush fill 3-6 months in advance. Holiday weekends typically sell out within hours of reservation windows opening. "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance. That said, you can also look for last minute openings," advises Martha H. regarding Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground.
Alcohol restrictions: State-operated campgrounds in Massachusetts prohibit alcohol consumption. Private campgrounds generally allow responsible drinking at sites. "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed," notes Randy R. about Myles Standish State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Massasoit State Park Campground offers newly renovated facilities including an excellent playground. The recent updates have made this park more family-friendly with modern comfort stations. "Renovations are cont. but what has been done so far is great. Everything is new the playground is fantastic. Hiking trails are great, bike trails are great," shares Lorie K.
Beach considerations: Families should pack water shoes for swimming areas as many have natural bottoms. Sandy beaches often have roots or rocks beneath the surface that can be uncomfortable for children. "Although the swimming area (which was just opened the week prior) looked okay if you can picture a beach area (nice) but seems like it was a regular pond where they just dumped sand? So as you walk roots and debris are still under the very shallow sand," explains Michael V. about Massasoit.
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with organized children's programs during summer weekends. Many locations offer ranger-led nature walks, craft sessions, and evening activities. "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts," notes Amy G. about Boston/Cape Cod KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites when booking to ensure proper size and hookups for your rig. Most campgrounds near Greenbush offer limited full-hookup sites. "I was disappointed with our assigned spot. Despite seeing several other sites that could have accommodated our rig size, K05 was the only option available when booking online," explains Paulina B. about Wompatuck.
Off-season advantages: RV camping from late September through early May offers significantly reduced crowds and rates. Many campgrounds remain open with limited services during shoulder seasons. "Good place to spend the night. It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites," reports SkipperAllen C. about staying at Wompatuck during less crowded periods.
Dump station availability: Plan ahead as not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping facilities. Those that do typically limit hours to between 8am-8pm. "We chose a paved full hook-up pull thru with paved patio. Our site was easy to navigate in and out of and was definitely big rig-friendly with ample space for our motorhome and tow car. All utilities were well-placed and functioned properly," describes Nancy W. about her experience at Normandy Farms.
