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Campgrounds near Malden, Massachusetts provide a range of accommodations within driving distance of the Boston metropolitan area. Harold Parker State Forest, located in nearby Andover, offers tent and RV camping at Lorraine Park Campground from late May to early September. Winter Island Park in Salem, approximately 7 miles northeast of Malden, provides oceanfront camping with tent and RV sites as well as electrical hookups. Most facilities in the region are established campgrounds rather than dispersed camping areas, with several offering cabin options alongside traditional tent and RV sites.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. "We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to Winter Island Park and they accepted our same day reservation for two nights at very reasonable rates," noted one visitor about their experience camping near Salem. Proximity to Boston makes these campgrounds popular with both locals and tourists visiting the area. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, and most established campgrounds offer at least basic amenities like toilets and drinking water, though amenity levels vary significantly between locations.
Several visitors mentioned the unique experience of camping near urban areas while still enjoying natural surroundings. Camp Nihan Education Center in Saugus received positive reviews for its blend of accessibility and natural setting, with one camper noting it felt like "really being in the woods" despite proximity to urban areas. The Boston Harbor Islands State Park campgrounds offer a distinctive island camping experience accessible only by boat, providing a remote feel despite being close to the city. Waterfront sites tend to be the most sought-after, particularly at Winter Island Park where oceanfront campsites provide views of Salem Harbor. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, though site availability for larger RVs may be limited at some locations.
"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 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Ours (R002) was large, beautiful, and mostly surrounded by forest."
"I chose a spot away from others and was glad I did. Behind me was nothing but quiet woods and a deer meandered through a couple times."
from $17 - $23 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston."
"The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
"You may choose to leave from Long Wharf, near the Aquarium T stop on the Blue line, or from Hingham, with overnight parking available."
from $8 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
"The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."
"Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."
from $44 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities. That being said it was very nice and felt safe."
from $50 - $200 / night
Check Availability"The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw."
"The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area."
from $20 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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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GuideI was lucky enough to score one of the waterfront spots for one night of my stay. I backed in and opened the rear doors of my campervan and just stared at the ocean view for hours. Spectacular!
LegendWe visited in early June and really appreciated the shade at our site as the temps rose into the mid-80’s. There are lots of tall pine trees but are trimmed back and not a problem getting or big-rig through the park or in our site. We loved site 47 which was long and level with nice grass around it. The next site (46) was pretty close, but luckily nobody was in it while we visited. Our patio area was fairly large with no other sites next to it, just a road. We chose a 50A/water pull thru site and the electric was good at 124 volts on each leg. Honey wagon service is quite expensive at $35/pump out, or you can use the dump station for free. We used the campground cable tv and got about 60 stations, included the major stations (local news was out of Boston). This was a good thing since the trees blocked our Dish receiver from getting any channels. The wifi was 2.4G and just o.k. You could surf the internet but definitely not strong enough to stream. I went to the lodge and got great wifi speed to download movies quickly.
The campground is gated and charges$15/day for visitors. There are lots of amenities. There is a good access to a small lake (with a canoe/kayak launch and rentals), fishing pier (for catch and release, no license required), ice cream stand, food truck, playground, a large dog park (with two runs), laundry, playground, horseshoes, etc. The campground is conveniently to the downtown Plymouth attractions (10 minutes) and a grocery store (2 miles).
The biggest downside was the dust since most of the roads are gravel. It was very dry during our visit and the dust was crazy. Another negative was the $5/day pet fee. There are restrictions as to where you can walk your pets in the campground and they are not allowed on the beach. There is a good size dog park with two runs. If you dog is afraid of gunshots, do not come here as there is a gun range nearby that is pretty loud.
ScoutWe spent the weekend here with our 4 kiddos ages 8,6,4, and 3. The kids had a blast. The bathrooms are spotless. They are in the process if renovating but that didnt interfere with our visit. They have a playground, pool, and yard games for the kiddos to use. Wish they had bigger grass sites. I think they will have some in the future.
ScoutI stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
ScoutAmazing place and community, unfortunately very expensive.
RangerThe first time we camped here was on Columbus Day weekend a number of years ago, and we got to see seals sun bathing on the beach. Are kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! The sites are a little close together and many of them are in direct sunlight , so that isn't the greatest , but if you have an awning, you should be good. We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too. Write down the street from camp, there is a street setup almost like a boardwalk, with arcades, live music, ice cream, food, and a carousel! There is also a bigger beach, and you are one twin away from New Hampshire. Lots to see and do here!
RangerOur first time camping here, we were trying to get a more secluded spot, but the pics on ReserveAmerica were not the greatest gauge of the sites. The sites were OK, some better than others, we didn't have any amenities but there was potable water nearby. There are cabins, which are really just bunkhouses with 2 bunk beds. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Our loop had porta potties nearby, we only saw one real bathroom with flushing toilets and showers. We did go for a nice hike, the North/South Trail goes through the campground and there are many trails in the area as well. We did a 5+ mile loop and got a good sense of what the trails are like. Found some geocaches and our pups got a good workout.
ScoutMe and my girl spent 2 weeks and had an amazing time the people are friendly they dont bother you about drinking only problem was the cell service is trash out ghere
ScoutMy husband and I had a great time here! We went early in the season, so there were not many people there. We met the new owners/managers and they were very friendly. David was attentive and very helpful!
We stayed in the Oak Section at 317. The sites are pretty close together, which is why I gave a 4. We didn’t have neighbors, but I can imagine on a busy weekend, it might get crowded. The Utilities at this site were in an awkward spot, compared to where we wanted the camper.
Camping sites near Malden, Massachusetts offer varied accommodations within 45 minutes of Boston, with seasonal operations typically running from May through October. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations below 500 feet and experience humid summer weather with temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak season. Visitors should prepare for occasional summer thunderstorms which can affect camping conditions at the region's established campgrounds.
Explore historical trails: At Minute Man Campground, you'll have access to Revolutionary War sites and historic Concord. "The White Mountains, New Hampshire, is a must, worth the short drive especially if you can go in early October, when the leaves are changing," suggests one camper who appreciated the strategic location for regional exploration.
Visit Boston Harbor Islands: The Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground provides a unique island camping experience via ferry from downtown or Hingham. "Getting to the island was a bit of a hassle. We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry (which was in itself lovely and explained much of the harbor on the way) to Georges Island," reports a visitor who then connected to Lovells Island.
Beach activities: Cape Ann Camp Site provides beach access minutes from the campground. "We had a great time camping and going to the beach. The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits," shares a tent camper who extended their stay to enjoy more beach time and local attractions.
Clean facilities: Wompatuck State Park Campground maintains well-kept facilities during the camping season. "Bathrooms are nice and dumpsters available for trash," notes a reviewer who camped there for a weekend. The campground offers more secluded sites than other options in the area, though spaces may be limited in size.
Urban accessibility: Camp Nihan Education Center provides a nature experience just minutes from Boston. "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy," explains a camper who visited with children.
Wooded privacy: Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest offers secluded sites surrounded by trees. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," shares a five-star reviewer. Another camper appreciates how it feels "like you are in the middle of nowhere" despite proximity to town.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Malden require advance booking, especially on summer weekends and fall foliage season. At Winter Island Park, one visitor notes: "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."
Wildlife encounters: Campers should secure food at night as suburban wildlife is common. "We ended up leaving earlier than planned to avoid another night with the skunk activity, because we really didn't want to risk driving home with any skunk spray odor," reports a Winter Island Park camper who encountered nocturnal visitors.
Shower facilities: Showers at regional campgrounds vary considerably in quality and cost. At Cape Ann Camp Site, visitors note "pay showers (5 cents)" while describing the campground as "clean but very rustic" with facilities "on the old side."
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Normandy Farms Campground, a visitor mentions it's "super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean."
Water activities: Ponkapoag Camp provides pond access ideal for families. "The kids can hang out in the clubhouse if it's raining or swim in the pond if it's hot. Lots of hiking trails," shares a repeat visitor who appreciates the rustic camping experience despite the lack of running water.
Educational options: Find campgrounds with ranger programs during summer months. 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," according to a Memorial Day weekend visitor.
Military options: For military families, Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers dedicated RV camping. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc.," reports a satisfied camper who appreciated the natural setting despite being at a military installation.
Full hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer connections are available at select campgrounds. A visitor to Spacious Skies Minute Man notes: "Level sites, quiet, and very clean restrooms make this a perfect spot for touring historic Boston, Concord, & Lexington."
Reservations essential: RV sites at Winter Island Park are limited, with most located in the main parking lot. "We spent two nights at this campground - the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day," notes a reviewer who recommends booking well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Malden, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Malden, MA is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
What parks are near Malden, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Malden, MA that allow camping, notably West Hill Dam and Buffumville Lake.
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