Camping near Ipswich, MA

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    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.

    Best Campgrounds near Ipswich (104)

      1. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

      4.2(27)10mi from Ipswich451 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $28 - $38 / night

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      2. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

      4.5(34)14mi from Ipswich86 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $17 - $45 / night

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      3. Cape Ann Camp Site

      4.1(17)7mi from IpswichRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $36 - $44 / night

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      4. Winter Island Park

      4.4(16)11mi from Ipswich44 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $60 / night

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      5. Beach Rose RV Park

      4.2(14)11mi from IpswichRVs

      "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

      3.0(15)15mi from IpswichRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

      4.5(17)20mi from IpswichRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $48 - $97 / night

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      8. Hampton Beach State Park Campground

      3.9(8)15mi from Ipswich29 sitesRVs

      "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."

      from $70 / night

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      9. The Pines Camping Area

      4.0(4)11mi from IpswichRVs, Tents, Glamping

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

      from $35 - $46 / night

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      10. Black Bear Campground

      2.8(5)13mi from IpswichRVs, Tents

      "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 Reviews near Ipswich, MA

    646 Reviews of 104 Ipswich Campgrounds

    • E
      Sep. 16, 2026

      Berry's Grove Campground

      Campground good -Management Bad

      This RV park was a small little park with a little lake to fish and swim (if you're brave enough) Overall had a pleasant experience until 2 weeks after we had left.

      After paying and calling to ensure we were all squared away before leaving with a good to go and a zero-dollar balance, we left. 2 weeks later they charged my card again without letting me know.  I figured it must have been a mistake since I had the paperwork with a zero-dollar balance AND I called to ensure we were all set.   

      Turns out it was purposeful- management decided that there was an additional admin fee after I had left the property.  Note that this was not anything to do with any mess or damage left behind -That I could completely understand but this was a random additional charge. They went ahead and charged without any warning and with no real explanation. 

      I stayed here for 2 months and the first month had no such issues and no additional payments due.

      If you stay here- be aware that they can charge your card EVEN IF you call and make sure you are all set AND have proof of a zero dollar balance. 

      They will say its in the contract and while there is an admin fee section in the contract- it does not state anywhere that it will be charged later, not included in your original bill or anything that would make charging your card randomly acceptable - especially with a zero dollar balance.

      I'm not sure how many times they do this to people but the charge was on the smaller side, so they probably get away with this A LOT.

    • R
      Sep. 14, 2026

      Berry's Grove Campground

      Dimension To The Trip

      We brought the boat along and having water access added an entirely different dimension to the trip. Instead of loading everything into the truck and driving somewhere for the day, we could make being on the water part of the camping experience itself.

    • Cynthia M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      Great Meadow Campground

      Great seasonal campground

      This is our 2nd year as seasonal campers and it is wonderful. The seasons sites are very spacious and most have plenty of shade/sun. The transient site are not as spacious but have grassy areas and plenty of sun. There are no tent sites at this time

    • Sam W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 11, 2026

      Wompatuck State Park Campground

      Safe and quiet

      I always find this is a good spot to have a few quiet nights. Can set up a fire an lf just relax. There are bathrooms with showers but byob bath stuff

    • Marie H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 10, 2026

      Normandy Farms Campground

      Lovely and peaceful

      We came in the day after Labor Day ~ after 280 rv’s checked out ~ so it may not have been as peaceful over the weekend, but I heard everyone had lots of fun. The grounds are beautiful!

    • TThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 9, 2026

      Wakeda Campground, LLC

      Large, clean and quiet

      This is a nice campground with 90% permanent upscale sites. Don’t let that deter you, the nightly spots are concentrated have excellent natural surroundings. Decent size spaces and mostly level. Workers were nice and many things to do.

    • Oscar W.
      Sep. 9, 2026

      Berry's Grove Campground

      Made The Trip Worth

      Coffee by the water before anyone else in our camper woke up. That alone made the trip worth it.

    • Dylan  B.
      Sep. 8, 2026

      Berry's Grove Campground

      A Great Arrangement

      We have family around Nashua but wanted to bring the RV rather than stay at someone’s house for several days. This turned out to be a great arrangement. We could spend the day visiting everyone and then come back to our own space at night. It also meant nobody had to rearrange their house for us, which I’m sure they appreciated as much as we did.

    Guide to Ipswich

    Camping spots near Ipswich, Massachusetts include several wooded retreats within a 20-mile radius of this coastal town. The area sits at sea level with numerous salt marshes and tidal rivers creating unique wetland camping environments. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with high humidity and frequent evening fog rolling in from the Atlantic.

    What to do

    Paddle with wildlife: Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers river access with diverse paddling options. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There is also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching. Beware of tides and strong currents in these areas as they can make paddling difficult," notes Nancy W.

    Fish the waters: Early season visitors can enjoy productive fishing from shore. "Great Spring Striper fishing. Lots of local restaurants and the center of town is super close," reports a camper. The jetty at Hampton Beach State Park Campground provides another popular fishing spot where visitors "can sit on and fish from or watch the sunrise."

    Explore nearby towns: Take day trips to historic coastal communities from your campsite. "About 30 minutes north on I-95 is the New Hampshire town of Portsmouth which is super hip and has great restaurants. Definitely recommend visiting both of these towns if you have time," shares a reviewer at Salisbury Beach.

    What campers like

    Beach proximity: Many campers value the quick ocean access. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff," says Sara D. about Salisbury Beach State Reservation. At Winter Island Park, campers appreciate "camping on the oceanfront" with one reviewer noting it's "a rare treat!"

    Wooded privacy: For those preferring forest surroundings, Lorraine Park Campground offers "nice wooded sites" with "spacious and beautiful" camping areas. A camper mentions, "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds."

    Seasonal events: Summer visitors enjoy organized activities at campgrounds. "Summer has fireworks and projection screen movies," mentions a Salisbury Beach camper. Another notes that at Harold Parker State Forest, "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike."

    What you should know

    Reservation timing: Prime oceanfront sites book far in advance. "It is very difficult to get reservations as it is extremely popular," notes a Hampton Beach State Park camper. For last-minute options, look inland to campgrounds like Cape Ann Camp Site where staff "will help you find a spot if you have questions."

    Site spacing: Campsite density varies significantly between locations. "The sites' privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose," notes a camper at Lorraine Park. Oceanfront sites typically offer less privacy with one camper noting sites are "pretty close together with little separation between each other."

    Weather considerations: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. "If it gets windy too," warns a Salisbury camper. Another mentions, "We caught the tail end of the season last year and the beach was super peaceful and much quieter than in high season."

    Tips for camping with families

    Beach activities: Beach Rose RV Park offers convenient beach access without waterfront prices. "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach," shares a camper, adding it's "only about a mile from the beach. Clean and friendly staff. Kid friendly."

    Playgrounds and pools: Many campgrounds feature family amenities. "The playground is perfect for kids," notes a camper at The Pines Camping Area. Another mentions that Beach Rose RV Park has a "nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive!"

    Transportation options: When visiting Salem, consider Winter Island Park for its accessibility. "It's less than 2 miles from Salem and on the trolley line," notes a camper, making it convenient for exploring without moving your vehicle.

    Tips from RVers

    Utility placement: Check hookup locations when booking. "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric," advises a Salisbury Beach camper. Another RVer at Black Bear recommends planning ahead: "Wish we knew in advance how the hookups were layed out because it is way far away from where our hose would reach."

    Wind protection: Coastal campgrounds experience strong ocean breezes. "Be careful of your awning as it is very windy," warns an RVer at Hampton Beach State Park. Consider bringing additional tie-downs or supports if planning to use awnings or screen rooms.

    Level sites: Site grading varies across campgrounds. "Our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean," notes a camper at Wakeda Campground. Another mentions having a "nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area" at Cape Ann Camp Site, which can make setup significantly easier.

    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.