Best Campgrounds near Ipswich, MA

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 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 Reviews near Ipswich, MA

604 Reviews of 98 Ipswich Campgrounds


  • Anonymous A.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Libbys Oceanside Camp

    Mesmerizing Experience Stunning Sunsets & Sunrises right from your campsite

     Libby's Oceanfront Campground York, Maine gives campers a mesmerizing coastline scene experience' you will experience stunning sunsets and sunrises over the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean' Sitting in your chair appreciating the tranquil and serene view. You are steps away from the beach from the time you arrive to the time you departed the staff is always available and always willing to help, answer any questions and give recommendations where to go eat and shop. Very clean restrooms, clean showers, clean laundry room. We enjoyed watching the surfers right from our campsite. Nubble Light house is minutes away from the campsites you can see the lighthouse from the campsite. 

    A great place to eat breakfast were the locals go is called Ricks Blue Jay Cafe minutes away on US1 fabulous food.  Go to Granite Whale Watching at Rye, Maine, visit Beach town village in York Maine great little shops and ice cream shops.

    We highly recommended this campground we will definitely return! :-)

  • 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!

  • S
    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


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.