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Tent Camping near Manomet, MA

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    Tent camping near Manomet, Massachusetts ranges from primitive tent campsites along Cape Cod's shoreline to secluded island sites accessible only by boat. Sandy Neck Beach Park and Wellfleet Hollow State Campground are among the top tent camping options in the area. Sandy Neck offers primitive tent campsites along Cape Cod's shoreline, while the Boston Harbor Islands State Park provides a unique island camping experience accessible only by boat. Washburn Island in Waquoit Bay Reserve offers tent sites in a natural estuarine environment, providing a secluded coastal camping experience.

    Access to tent sites varies significantly by location. Sandy Neck Beach Park features backcountry camping with sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead, requiring hikers to trek through sand while carrying gear. These sites include picnic tables and outhouses, with park staff delivering water and firewood for purchase. Wellfleet Hollow State Campground provides walk-in tent sites with varying distances from parking areas, some requiring substantial walks to reach more private locations. Boston Harbor Islands camping is accessible only by ferry service from either Long Wharf in Boston or Hingham, with campers needing to bring all supplies including drinking water for island stays.

    The tent camping options here offer unique coastal environments with varying levels of solitude. Sites at Wellfleet Hollow are described as having good tree canopy that "lets in plenty of light but won't let you be baked with hot sun," while providing reasonable spacing between sites. Beach camping at Sandy Neck allows for campfires directly on the beach, with one camper noting it's "a 5 star primitive spot because it's secluded, requires a bit of leg work and has a great view." Island camping on Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor features opportunities to explore old forts, collect seasonal berries, and enjoy sunsets over the Boston skyline. Many locations maintain a tent-only focus, with Wellfleet Hollow specifically prohibiting RVs in favor of a more traditional tent camping atmosphere.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Manomet (5)

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      1. Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites

      5.0(4)18mi from ManometTents

      "This is a really cool option for those interested in visiting Cape Cod and also backpacking. The park has 5 dispersed sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead with picnic tables and an outhouse."

      "Took one more trip down for the end of the season, great weather but VERY windy"

      from $20 / night

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      2. Washburn Island Campsites — Waquoit Bay Reserve

      5.0(1)25mi from Manomet10 sitesTents

      "Fire pits at each site with wood on sale at the ranger hut. 1 composting toilet."

      Campground full this weekend

      Get a text when available

      from $8 - $35 / night

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      3. Wellfleet Hollow State Campground

      4.0(5)29mi from Manomet99 sitesTents, Cabins

      "A quiet campground in mid June - sites are close together but not many people this trip, quiet and friendly neighbors. Right on the rail trail."

      "We've been camping at Wellfleet Hollow (formerly Paine's Campground) for close to thirty years. "

      from $22 - $55 / night

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      4. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

      4.0(8)32mi from Manomet16 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."

      "This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. 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."

      Campground full this weekend

      Get a text when available

      from $8 - $55 / night

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      5. Camp Nihan Education Center

      5.0(2)46mi from ManometTents, Cabins

      "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."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Manomet, MA

    19 Photos of 5 Manomet Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Manomet, MA

    528 Reviews of 5 Manomet Campgrounds

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 30, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Basically a parking lot but with great views!

      I’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard. 

      No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained. 

      There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.

    • Renee R.
      Oct. 15, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Cool location!

      Hard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse!  But it's kind of a kooky campground.

      Pros:

      - Gorgeous views.

      - Cute little trails.

      - Super friendly staff.

      - The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.

      Cons:
      - It's just an odd arrangement of sites.  The RV area is a parking lot.  Some tent sites don't allow cars on them.  Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.

      - As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central.  There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.

      - As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.

    • Ada R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 3, 2026

      Sweetwater Forest

      Great private campground

      This property is huge and the staff is very accommodating. Restrooms with showers are clean. And there is a pickleball court!

    • Kyle P.
      Oct. 2, 2026

      Normandy Farms Campground

      Best Campground in the Northeast!

      I can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!

    • gary C.
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Winter Island Park

      Good view

      Best part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.

      Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.

      A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.

      If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.

    • Linda I.
      Sep. 15, 2026

      Coastal Acres Campground

      Coastal Acres Campground

      Another wonderful month long vacation at Coastal Acres Campground! Anna and the wonderful staff made our visit a pleasure. We needed an air conditioner repaired/replaced during our stay. Anna and Rob gave us a list of local mobile RV repair Companies. They also lended a fan to us to use until the repair was completed. We can't thank them enough for everything they did to help make our stay comfortable and fun! We will be back!!

    • Sam W.
      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

    Guide to Manomet

    Tent campsites near Manomet, Massachusetts give visitors access to the diverse Cape Cod coastal environment where dunes, salt marshes, and mixed pine-oak forest create distinct camping zones. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with nighttime lows around 60°F, making lightweight sleeping bags sufficient for most campers. Most coastal camping locations experience moderate winds from the Atlantic, particularly at exposed beach sites.

    What to do

    Explore old forts: On Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor Islands State Park, visitors can investigate historic fortifications during their stay. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails," notes Martha H., who also mentions that "during the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore."

    Pick seasonal berries: Blackberries grow wild on Peddocks Island during mid-August, providing a natural snack while hiking. According to Jean C., "In mid-August we collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks."

    Paddle to secluded sites: Washburn Island Campsites requires boat access, making it perfect for kayakers and canoeists seeking quiet camping. Tim C. explains, "You need a boat or a ride out there, close to the main land so a canoe/kayak would work." The island offers excellent solitude, as he reports "camped there May 20-25 2018 and there were only 1-2 other sites being used."

    What campers like

    Beachfront campfires: Sandy Neck Beach Park allows campfires directly on the beach, creating memorable evening experiences. Matt R. confirms "campfires allowed at night, and pets are allowed. All around a great place to camp."

    Star gazing opportunities: The remote location of Wellfleet Hollow provides exceptional night sky viewing. One camper noted, "At night you can go out to the power lines for some of the best star gazing on the East Coast."

    Moderate tree cover: Wellfleet Hollow features a balanced tree canopy that provides shade without being too dense. Tom C. describes it as "a tree canopy that lets in plenty of light but won't let you be baked with hot sun."

    What you should know

    Parking limitations: At Wellfleet Hollow State Campground, not all sites include adjacent parking. Will A. warns, "the booking site is a little confusing in terms of if your site will have room for a car. Some don't and you have to park in the parking lot which can be a haul to your site."

    Non-resident fee differences: Out-of-state visitors face higher camping fees at some locations. Tom C. notes at Wellfleet Hollow, "out of staters have to pay an exorbitant fee relative to people from Massachusetts."

    Ferry logistics: When camping on the harbor islands, coordinating ferry schedules requires advance planning. Jess G. describes the process as "a bit of a hassle" explaining they "took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells."

    Tips for camping with families

    Easy terrain options: Camp Nihan Education Center offers beginner-friendly camping for families with young children. Michael V. explains it's the "perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping" with a group site that's "super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."

    Swimming access: Lifeguarded swimming areas provide safer options for families. The Camp Nihan location is "adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."

    Rail trail proximity: Wellfleet Hollow provides direct access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail for family cycling. Cal K. notes the campground is "right on the rail trail" and mentions "You can also walk to Duck Pond from the campground."

    Tips from RVers

    Size restrictions enforced: Wellfleet Hollow strictly limits RV sizes and types. Jean C. reports, "they've limited campers to tents and short trailers/campers only, with length <15' and only 1 unit/vehicle per site."

    Bring sufficient water: For Boston Harbor Islands camping, all drinking water must be transported to the sites. Jess G. advises, "Make sure that you bring enough drinking water and that you are ok with using the composting bathroom or going in the woods."

    Narrow campground roads: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger vehicles. At Wellfleet Hollow, "the roads are narrow and with curves" which contributes to their size restrictions for camping units.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Manomet, MA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Manomet, MA is Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Manomet, MA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Manomet, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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