Camping near Haverhill, Massachusetts offers access to both coastal and woodland camping experiences with a typical camping season spanning mid-May through mid-October. The region maintains moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months, with cooler nights in spring and fall. Most campgrounds in the Haverhill area experience heaviest use from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends when advance reservations are strongly recommended.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing opportunities: At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, visitors can rent canoes and kayaks for exploring the park's lake system. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," notes one visitor.
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities without requiring travel. According to a camper at Hampton Beach State Park Campground, "There's a jetty to sit on and fish from or watch the sunrise. I enjoyed the morning deep sea fishing trips from companies across the street."
Historical exploration: Winter Island Park provides unique historical sites within walking distance of campsites. "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering. There's a trail around the park with markers, but they're not well maintained," reports one camper.
Swimming options: Beyond ocean beaches, several campgrounds offer swimming areas with less crowds. A Pawtuckaway visitor mentioned, "Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" Many campgrounds provide swimming options without requiring travel to coastal areas.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Winter Island Park receives consistent praise for its oceanfront sites. "We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach. There was no parking at our site, but the parking lot was only 25 yards away so it was not an issue. Our site (27) was large enough for an 8 person tent, 4 person tent, EZ Up, and a pop up dog house for our pooch."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules. At Wakeda Campground, reviewers note, "The campground and bathrooms are kept very clean." Another visitor mentioned, "Welcoming staff, nice campsites, and great amenities."
Transportation options: Camping near Salem provides alternatives to driving. "Salem offers plenty of sightseeing options, including the National Park Service Salem Maritime NHS, the House of 7 Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum," writes a Winter Island Park visitor, noting the campground's 2-mile distance from commuter rail.
Wooded campgrounds: Wakeda Campground receives high marks for its forest setting. One visitor described it as having "nice wooded lots" and another mentioned they were "overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: At Exeter Elms Campground, tent sites may lack separation. A reviewer noted, "No separation between some tent sites." Similarly, at Winter Island Park, a camper observed, "There is no privacy at the sites, everything is very open."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill completely during summer weekends. For Hampton Beach State Park Campground, "It is very difficult to get reservations as it is extremely popular," and another camper mentioned, "Reservations are usually made a year in advance."
Seasonal camping restrictions: Some campgrounds limit specific camping types seasonally. A Pawtuckaway visitor noted, "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Wildlife encounters: Campers at Winter Island Park report nighttime wildlife activity: "The cons were the noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from racoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers)."
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: The region experiences temperature fluctuations, particularly in spring and fall. One Wakeda Campground visitor noted, "We stayed for a night as a getaway. Already planning our next trip back. Very friendly staff and very friendly neighbors."
Entertainment options: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground provides structured activities for children. "Pros: Friendly staff, clean bathrooms, clean grounds, gated campground with card key access in/out of the grounds, 2 pools (closed for the season during our stay), pavilion, activities/entertainment, fairly quiet during quiet hours, laundromat, playground, dog park, boating pond, Horse shoe & Basketball court."
Beach proximity considerations: Beach access may involve crowds during peak season. A Beach Rose RV Park visitor reported, "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach. We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine."
Bathroom facilities: When camping with children, bathroom cleanliness and availability matters. At Lorraine Park Campground, a camper noted, "Awesome park. It was a quiet night and bathrooms where clean. Has spacious showers. Park rangers drive around campground often."
Tips from RVers
Site size and setup: Beach Rose RV Park offers concrete pads but compact sites. A visitor noted, "Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet."
Seasonal rates: Off-season camping often provides better value and less crowding. A Hampton Beach visitor commented, "Extremely crowded in high season, empty in off season. Extremely close to the beach."
Hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have challenging utility layouts. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
Reservation systems: Several campgrounds use third-party booking systems with limitations. A Tuxbury Pond camper mentioned, "You do not get a choice during the online booking to choose the campsite to reserve & the site # is not included in the confirmation email."
