Glamping options near Hingham, Massachusetts extend beyond the harbor islands into surrounding areas within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cooler falls with temperatures in the 60s. Luxury camping accommodations increase in availability from late May through early October when the seasonal camping operations reach full capacity.
What to do
Explore historic Salem: Winter Island Park in Salem offers oceanfront glamping sites with easy access to the city's attractions. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets," notes Martha H.
Visit wildlife areas: Fourth Cliff Recreation Area in Humarock provides military members beach access during low tide. According to Larry N., "This is a great place for military members. Full hook ups, houses to rent, tent sites, and lots to do. Once the season closes very quiet, lots of stores in the area close."
Take daytrips to Boston: Hanscom AFB FamCamp provides a convenient base for exploring. "In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond, so the campground makes a great basecamp for exploration of the area's rich culture and history," writes Janet R.
Fish and kayak at local ponds: The ponds at campgrounds offer recreational activities beyond swimming. At Myles Standish State Forest, one camper mentioned, "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us. The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pinewood Lodge Campground in Plymouth offers secluded camping spots with personal water 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," reports Laurie.
Beach proximity: Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester provides access to coastal attractions. "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views. Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," notes Ron C.
Off-season tranquility: Myles Standish State Forest offers a different experience depending on when you visit. "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity, like it was when we stayed. But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves," explains Kyle C.
Train access to Boston: Glamping sites provide convenient transit options to urban areas. According to Jean C., "If you choose to drive, beware that traffic is a nightmare and parking expensive, but if you have a group that may price out to be less expensive than the commuter rail."
What you should know
Shower facilities vary: Campgrounds have different shower setups and costs. At Normandy Farms Campground in Foxborough, bathrooms receive high marks: "Bathrooms are best of any campground. Highly recommend," says Matt T. Meanwhile, at Pinewood Lodge, "Don't care for the coin operating showers. Nice camp store and lots of activities for the kids," notes Stephen R.
Reservation timing: State parks fill quickly during peak season. For Myles Standish, "We were surprised that it was fairly quiet and not busier on a holiday weekend. We felt most people respected quiet hours and there were even empty sites in our loop," reports Kim R.
Alcohol policies differ: Regulations vary by location. Randy R. notes about Myles Standish State Forest: "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."
Entry restrictions: Some campgrounds limit visitor access. One Normandy Farms camper mentioned, "Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it, $20 for her and $20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night!"
Tips for camping with families
Consider resort-style amenities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA in Middleboro offers extensive children's activities. "As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground," notes Samantha S.
Check pond conditions: Ellis-Haven Family Campground has water recreation options. "Very nice beach on the pond, with lots of docks and rafts to swim out to. They also rent paddle boats," reports Mike K.
Look for scheduled activities: KOA campgrounds organize regular entertainment. One visitor noted, "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."
Consider weekday visits: For quieter family experiences, timing matters. According to Kyle C., "But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Select appropriate sites: Some glamping areas have limitations on space. At Winter Island Park, "Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance. Tent sites tend to be grassy, but not all offer parking on site, so choose carefully," advises Jean C.
Consider hookup options: Water and electric availability varies. At Myles Standish State Forest, "The campground doesn't have hook ups, but there is a dump station with water and water available around the loops," reports Kim R.
Check site dimensions: RV site sizes differ significantly between campgrounds. At Normandy Farms, "Premium sites have paved patios while other sites are gravel. Roads are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV's to navigate," according to Nancy W.
Reserve premium locations: Getting waterfront sites requires advance planning. According to a Boston/Cape Cod KOA visitor, "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay."
