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Best Campgrounds near Ipswich, MA

602 Reviews

Camping opportunities near Ipswich, Massachusetts include both oceanfront and inland options within 20 miles of the town. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester provides tent, RV, cabin and glamping accommodations in a wooded setting, while Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers beachfront access with tent and RV sites. Several RV parks including Beach Rose RV Park and The Pines Camping Area provide additional options along the coast, with most facilities operating seasonally from May through October.

Most campgrounds in the coastal Massachusetts region require reservations, particularly during summer months when beach-adjacent sites fill quickly. Water and electric hookups are common amenities, though sewer connections vary by location. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with some facilities closing after Labor Day. Winter camping is limited due to seasonal closures and New England weather conditions. Visitors should prepare for variable coastal weather patterns that can include fog, wind, and occasional summer storms. A visitor noted that "Cape Ann has everything you need for an easy, hassle-free camp experience. It's right off the main road, checking in is quick and employees are helpful."

The beach access represents a primary draw for campers in this area, with several campgrounds situated within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. Sites at Salisbury Beach State Reservation provide direct beach access with paved camping pads and amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and BBQ grills. Nearby towns such as Newburyport, Rockport, and Gloucester offer additional attractions and dining options. While oceanfront locations offer scenic views, some campers note the trade-off of less privacy between sites. A camper described Salisbury Beach State Reservation as "not really camping, more of a beach stay. It's a great place to bring the kids and do beach things all day. Great Spring Striper fishing." Sites with water views typically command premium rates and require booking well in advance during peak summer weekends.

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Best Camping Sites Near Ipswich, Massachusetts (98)

    1. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    26 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 462-4481

    $28 - $38 / night

    "However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."

    "The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."

    2. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    33 Reviews
    North Reading, MA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 475-7972

    $17 - $35 / night

    "north of Boston and <5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts"

    "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."

    3. Cape Ann Camp Site

    16 Reviews
    Gloucester, MA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 283-8683

    $36 - $44 / night

    "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"

    "Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."

    4. Winter Island Park

    14 Reviews
    Salem, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 745-9430

    $35 - $105 / night

    "Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."

    "We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to a COVID testing site which would take non MA residents and turn the results around under 48 hours. We needed quiet camping and not have it cost a fortune."

    5. Beach Rose RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 463-0226

    "Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."

    "Kids had enough driving for the day so we had to stop. We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating."

    6. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground

    14 Reviews
    South Hampton, NH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."

    "We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"

    7. Wakeda Campground, LLC

    16 Reviews
    Exeter, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 772-5274

    $48 - $97 / night

    "We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."

    "Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."

    8. The Pines Camping Area

    4 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 465-0013

    $35 - $46 / night

    "There’s not much around here to do, but for us we enjoyed the calmness."

    9. Hampton Beach State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hampton, NH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 926-8990

    $70 / night

    "One side of the campground is bordered by an inlet that fishing boats use to head out from the harbor. Another side is sand dunes, that are the south end of Hampton beach."

    "Hampton Beach SP is a small beachside campground for self-contained RVs only; if you’re in a tent, you may want to look south to Salisbury SP just a few miles across the border into MA."

    10. Black Bear Campground

    5 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 462-3183

    "Wish we knew in advance how the hookups were layed out because it is way far away from where our hose would reach and we had to go out and buy an extension due to it being located at the end of the site"

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Recent Camping Photos near Ipswich, MA

305 Photos of 98 Ipswich Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ipswich, MA

602 Reviews of 98 Ipswich Campgrounds

  • Kathleen S.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Loud and crowded!

    Know what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. 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! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Only a 4 because of out of stater price

    Campsites are close together, but the beach is amazing. Especially in the off season.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    Great stop

    Lovely campground. Clean, good WiFi. Kind campers. Will be back

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    York Beach Camper Park

    Hideaway

    Don’t let the entrance turn you off. Once you get back into the campgrounds, it’s so cute. You are nestled in the woods. You feel like you are in the Forest but so close to the ocean. It’s calm and peaceful. The owners are so friendly and kind.

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Beach Rose RV Park

    Nice park

    Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

Guide to Ipswich

Camping near Ipswich, Massachusetts, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, provide easy access to lakes for kayaking. One reviewer mentioned, "Lots of great spots on the water, easy to put a kayak in from."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Wompatuck State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "You can take a trail from the campsite," making it convenient for hikers.
  • Beach Days: If you love the ocean, check out Salisbury Beach State Reservation. One camper said, "The ocean is absolutely gorgeous, clean, beautiful," perfect for a beach weekend.

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large, private sites at Greenfield State Park Campground. A long-time visitor shared, "If you like large sites in a wooded setting with many private ones, this is the place."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Normandy Farms Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. One review highlighted, "The bathrooms/showers are spotless with piped in music and hairdryers."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Boston/Cape Cod KOA offer various activities for kids. A camper mentioned, "This is a nice campground with multiple site type options," making it great for families.

What you should know:

  • Pet Policies: Some campgrounds have strict pet policies. For instance, at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, pets are only allowed on hiking trails and not in the campground or beach area during summer.
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier weekends at popular spots like Wompatuck State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "The weekend was packed!" so plan accordingly.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Bear Brook State Park Campground, may not have electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "No hookups in the campground," so be prepared for a more rustic experience.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Normandy Farms Campground, which has tons of activities for kids. A parent said, "Absolutely love this campground. It has so many things for the kids to do."
  • Pack for the Beach: If you're heading to Salisbury Beach State Reservation, bring beach toys and sunscreen. One camper noted, "Great place to go camping; everything you need is right there."
  • Plan for Mosquitoes: Some campgrounds, like Greenfield State Park Campground, have mosquitoes. A visitor warned, "Watch for ticks," so bring repellent.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should check site sizes at campgrounds like Boston/Cape Cod KOA. One reviewer mentioned, "Our site however was pretty awful," indicating some sites may be tight.
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: At places like Normandy Farms Campground, some sites may not be level. A camper advised, "Bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Campgrounds near Ipswich, like Sandy Pines Campground, are close to local attractions. One visitor said, "Great location for Goose Rocks Beach and exploring Kennebunkport."

Camping near Ipswich, Massachusetts, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there bike camping available in Ipswich?

Bike camping is possible in the Ipswich area, though dedicated bike-in sites are limited. Wompatuck State Park Campground is approximately 25 miles south of Ipswich and provides sites accessible to cyclists, though it's important to note that sites are situated along a main road with limited privacy. For cyclists looking for convenience to transportation options, Riverside Terminal Overnight Parking offers a unique solution for bike-and-ride adventures, with MBTA train connections to Boston and reasonable overnight parking fees ($6 weekdays, $3 weekends). Both locations can serve as starting points or destinations for cycling routes around the North Shore area.

What amenities are available at Ipswich camping grounds?

Campgrounds in the Ipswich area offer varying levels of amenities to suit different camping preferences. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest, located within 30 minutes of Ipswich, features wooded sites in a convenient location with basic amenities but notably does not permit alcohol consumption even at your campsite (common in Massachusetts state parks). For those seeking more facilities, Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers military families and retirees access to RV sites with hookups, walk-in tent sites, and even a yurt option in a wooded setting. Most campgrounds in the region provide water access, toilet facilities, and fire rings, with private campgrounds typically offering additional amenities like showers, electrical hookups, and sometimes pools or recreation areas.

What are the best campgrounds near Ipswich, MA?

Several excellent campgrounds are within easy reach of Ipswich, MA. Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers beachfront camping with water and electricity hookups just 20 minutes north of Ipswich. While sites aren't particularly private, the prime coastal location and easy beach access make it popular for group outings. For a family-friendly option, Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury provides a clean, well-maintained facility with a swimming pool and accommodating staff. For those willing to drive about 30 minutes, Cape Ann Camp Site near Gloucester offers a more traditional camping experience with wooded sites and full amenities, serving as an excellent base for exploring Cape Ann and the North Shore.

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