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Best Tent Camping near Marion Center, MA

515 Reviews

Coastal areas surrounding Marion Center, Massachusetts offer diverse tent camping options, with several notable sites within driving distance. Wellfleet Hollow State Campground on Cape Cod provides tent-only camping in a rustic setting with shaded sites and proximity to beaches. Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites offers backcountry tent camping experiences with sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead. For those seeking unique camping experiences, Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground features tent sites accessible by ferry, while Washburn Island Campsites in Waquoit Bay Reserve provides boat-in tent camping on a small island with waterfront views.

Many tent campsites in the region require advance planning due to their popularity and limited availability. Wellfleet Hollow features walk-in tent sites where parking may be separate from the camping area, requiring campers to transport gear varying distances to their sites. Sandy Neck's primitive tent camping requires hikers to trek through sand without shade cover, making access challenging. Boston Harbor Islands requires ferry transportation and bringing all supplies, including drinking water. Most sites provide fire rings or pits, though fire regulations vary by location and season. Composting toilets are common at primitive sites, while established campgrounds offer more developed facilities including showers and dishwashing stations.

In early summer, Wellfleet Hollow provides a quiet camping experience with sites spaced well enough to avoid feeling crowded. According to reviews, the tree canopy "lets in plenty of light but won't let you be baked with hot sun." One camper noted that Sandy Neck Beach Park's primitive sites are "tucked away from the beach a bit into the brush which provides a nice relief from the wind." The park staff will deliver water and firewood to these remote sites for a small fee. Washburn Island campers report "very quiet" nights and excellent water views from all ten tent sites. Reservations for these popular tent campgrounds should be made 6-7 months in advance, especially for summer weekends, though shoulder season camping in May, September, and October offers greater availability and fewer crowds.

Best Tent Sites Near Marion Center, Massachusetts (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Marion Center, MA

18 Photos of 6 Marion Center Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Marion Center, MA

515 Reviews of 6 Marion Center Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Fearing Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Wooded sites near a pond

    There are 2 Fearing Pond loops at Myles Standish State Forest, the H & I loops. The H loop entrance is closer to the Charge Pond loops and is higher above pond. This loop is better suited to the larger trailers/tents with more space to drive around a loop , but some spots have slopes. The I loop's best feature is a small beach that is easily accessible from all sites. They've done a lot of site restoration and the fact that it didn't open in 2020 helped. In spite of that, many of the sites have awkward approaches and there is a large parking lot closer to the bathroom. There are no hookups, but there is a dump station available. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided.

    The forest has miles of biking trails, ponds for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even cranberry bogs to explore (though harvest is late in the camping season and this section is not open at that time).

    Cell phone coverage is poor to absent in the forest, so download maps for offline use prior to your arrival.

    Plymouth is nearby for a any forgotten provisions and for sightseeing. Erickson's ice cream cafe is near the entrance if you need a treat!

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 27, 2020

    Scusset Beach State Reservation

    Coastal campground open late in season

    Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off.  Also, there are only 5 designated tent sites during the peak season, so if you want to tent camp here, you'd best make a reservation well in advance.. You cannot reserve an RV site for a just a tent, though if you have a trailer, you may also have a tent on the site. The 5 tent sites have their own fire pits, but the RV sites must use a community fire pit, though in mid-November, just before the campground closed for the season, RVers used the firepit at a tent site that provided some additional protection from the wind.

    The RV sites have paved parking pads and picnic tables, but the area to the side of the parking pads sometimes slopes away, so it's less usable for chairs, etc.  In the 2020 camping season, every other campsite was closed (thus the picnic tables across the entrance of the parking pad). Some of the sites, 32 34, 36, are along the back of the campground closer to the trees/scrub, and so have some degree of privacy and protection as compared to the others in the wide open park.

    The campground is on the north shore of the Cape Code canal and provides access to a sandy beach, a jetty, and the Cape Cod Canal Trail for biking and walking. There's a nice playground for youth. You can fish from the shore or jetty, No need to cross the bridge to the Cape. Plymouth is also nearby to explore.

  • K
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Fort Getty Campground

    No shade no rule enforcement. Great place for a big group to party if that’s what you want.

    Loud campers in large groups.

    Rules regarding quiet hours, no generators, number of tents per site and late arrival and setups were not enforced.

    People next to us crammed 8 tents on 3 sites. I counted a group of at least 20.

    There is no privacy, people were constantly walking through our site and stepping over our tent guy lines.

    People partied until 2:00am and woke up at 5:30am shining headlights and idling cars.

    Bathrooms were dirty, sites boundaries not marked and crammed together. No shade.

    Beautiful location, rangers were nice.

    RV folks were surly, seemed like a lot of them stay there for the entire season. One said hi, the rest stared when we drove by.

    We booked and paid for two nights and left first thing after just one night.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2020

    Wellfleet Hollow State Campground

    Newer rustic state campground for tents and small trailers

    Formerly Paine's campground, this is now under the Massachusetts DCR. It offers inexpensive, rustic camping on the Cape, though rates are much higher for out-of-state guests than for instate. Many sites are small, some require walk-in, and parking may be separate from the site; in some instances it is across or near the site, and for others it is closer to the park entrance. Under the new ownership they've paved some of the roads, but the roads are narrow and with curves. All of the conditions have led them to limit campers to tents and short trailers/campers only, with length <15' and only 1 unit/vehicle per site. There is 20A electric on a number of the sites. When you read site descriptions, it will indicate 'compact loop' or 'petite site' and those are accurate!

    Sites are largely shaded. Some of the sites back up to neighboring yards (9-12 area). Walk-in distance to some sites can be substantial (see sites 49, 59, 61, etc.) so be sure to read site descriptions carefully, but 61 in particular offers greater privacy. The sites aren't always level. There are no photos on the reservation website, so I've tried to capture most, but not all, here.

    No alcohol or pets allowed. 

    The are nearby beaches, hikes, Cape Cod Rail Trail and other biking opportunities are nearby. If you don't have a bike, you can easily rent one from nearby shops.

    It won't be for everyone, but if you want a campground that is less expensive, caters to tents and trailers rather than the big rigs, this may be for you!

  • Our Greight Escape ..
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Bourne Scenic Park

    Wonderful campground!

    We stayed here for a season and loved it! The staff from the front desk to the front gate are incredibly friendly and welcoming!

    Pros-

    Front office is open late (9pm)

    Offers wood, ice, fire starters, hoses and adapter cap for gray water drain.

    Country Store

    Ice Cream

    Amazing views of the canal.

    Bike path along the canal, easy access.

    Lots of playgrounds for different ages

    Bounce pad (in-ground)

    Pool

    Stair access to canal bike path.

    Dump station

    Inexpensive to have visitors\

    Located near so much! Walmart, Market Basket, Target all within 15min.  

    Cons-

    No on site drainage for black water (grey takes an adapter). You will need a poop tote.

    Lots of tight spaces

    Anyone can pay to access canal, so they can access any campsite even without staying there. 

    Highway noise.

    BRIDGE TRAFFIC- if you know you know.

  • Ashlee L.
    Jul. 2, 2018

    North of Highland Camping Area

    Absolutely wonderful and quiet

    This is by far one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed at so far. North of Highland Camping area definitely caters to tent campers – the roads are not big enough for large trailers or RVs, and they have no electric or sewage hookups anywhere in the park. This campground has been owned by the same family since the 1950s.

    We arrived around 10 am on a Saturday morning, and even though it was the weekend before July 4th, there were still several sites available for walk-ins (they have more than 250 sites). The desk clerk was one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met, and extremely helpful – he walked us through picking the best site available by asking us what our preferences were (did we want to be near the restrooms, close to the beach path, what size tent did we have, etc). He even gave us tips on getting beach fire permits. The price for the site was reasonable for the area.

    The campground itself is gorgeous – it’s within the pine barren forest near Head of the Meadow beach, completely surrounded by Cape Cod National Seashore land. All of the sites are shaded, and they are decently sized with picnic tables. There is also a ½ mile walking path that leads directly to Head of the Meadow beach; if you go to the town beach side, walk-ins are free!

    There are several restrooms centrally located to the main camping loops, plus one building that houses the coin-op showers, the camp store, a rec hall, and even an adults-only quiet room w/ electronic charging stations. The restrooms were very clean and well maintained, and even had soap and paper towels, which is rare in campgrounds. Each restroom building also had outdoor showers for rinsing off.

    The owners are VERY strict on their quiet hours policy (1030pm – 730am), and they are very restrictive on some noises during the day as well – pets, motorcycles, and portable generators are not allowed in this campground at all. This is exactly the kind of camping experience I’m looking for, as I’ve had some bad experiences the last year or so with other campgrounds attracting loud partiers.

    Overall, this was one of my favorite camping experiences and I will definitely be back!

    Pros: Wonderfully helpful staff, reasonably priced, very quiet and relaxing, clean and well-maintained facilities, great location, beautiful.

    Cons: If I had to pick any cons, it would be that the roads throughout the campground are in kind of rough shape and could use more signage (a lot are one-way and sometimes hard to distinguish from campsite parking spots). I had no problem in my SUV, but it might be a little rougher driving on them in a compact car. Also, no fires are allowed in the campground itself due to fire restrictions, but you can easily get beach fire permits to have one on the beach. That’s all I can think of – this campground was great!

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Barretts Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Small campground near a small pond at Myles Standish

    This campsite loop at Myles Standish State Forest is closest to the headquarters and borders a small pond with beach. In addition to tent/RV sites, there are 3 yurts available with bunks. Sites that appear to be near the pond are pond view rather than pondside. Approaches to Yurt JC and J5, J 26, J27 are sloped. J14 is a little awkward. J33 is probably among the largest and nicest with a pond view. The sites aren't as large as those in the Charge Pond loops, but it's a smaller campground.

    The loop has flush toilets and showers. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided. Cell phone coverage throughout the forest is poor to absent; download maps for offline use if you want to be sure to know where you are or find directions. There are miles of bike trails and ponds for fishing, swimming, and boating. There's a larger beach and picnic area at College Pond.

  • Anna C.
    Jun. 11, 2019

    Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites

    Backcountry Camping at Cape Cod

    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. The hike in to the sites can be particularly difficult because it requires trekking through sand without any sun coverage and with all of your gear. It’s also a bit of a gamble because the sites are not reservable ahead of time. In order to secure a spot, you must show up at the park headquarters where sites are handed out on a first come first served basis. A nice amenity is that the park staff will send someone to the sites to deliver 5 gallons of water for free as well as firewood for a small fee so you don’t have to carry those resources. The sites are tucked away from the beach a bit into the brush which provides a nice relief from the wind. Fires are permitted at the beach and I was lucky to witness a really beautiful beach sunset. I did not encounter too many bugs during my time of visit but I’ve been warned that it can get quite buggy in mid to late summer. Overall, this is a 5 star primitive spot for me because it’s secluded, requires a bit of leg work and has a great view.

  • Alicia F.
    Aug. 15, 2018

    Marthas Vineyard Family Campground

    I love this campground!

    Pay $300-$500/night for a hotel or this campground for $35/night? I’ll take the campground any day. Several years now I’ve packed a suitcase w a tent, tarp, air mattress and sleeping bag and had some of the best weeks of my life! The bus picks up and drops off just outside the campground and with a weekly bus pass you can be anywhere on the island within minutes. Every day was a new adventure to Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, Menemsha etc. Large shared male and female bathroom/shower complex next to the camp store and office as well as an outdoor shower for those more adventurous. Most sites have electric and water nearby. The management/owner takes pride in the campground and loves what he does. It’s the best way to experience Martha’s Vineyard!

Guide to Marion Center

Tent camping near Marion Center, Massachusetts offers rustic options for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the spring, summer, and early fall seasons. The coastal location creates moderate temperatures with early morning fog common during summer months. Water access is a significant feature of many local campgrounds, with several sites requiring boat transportation or offering waterfront locations within protected coastal areas.

What to do

Explore coastal waterways: At Washburn Island Campsites — Waquoit Bay Reserve, visitors need a boat to reach the campsites. According to camper Tim C., "You need a boat or a ride out there, close to the main land so a canoe/kayak would work."

Beach camping experiences: At Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites, visitors can sleep directly on the beach. As Matt R. notes, "This is one of the few places where you can sleep on the beach! It's a great place. The water is on the cold side but it's worth it. Beach camping is a very special thing."

Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution at Wellfleet Hollow offers exceptional night viewing. One camper mentions, "At night you can go out to the power lines for some of the best star gazing on the East Coast."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Wellfleet Hollow State Campground provides adequate space between camping areas. According to a recent visitor, "The sites are well spaced so you don't feel too crowded and the terrain is a bit hilly so it's got a nice, rustic feel to it."

Historical exploration: At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, campers appreciate the historical structures. One reviewer noted, "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house."

Off-season availability: Shoulder season camping offers greater site selection. As Tim C. mentioned about Washburn Island, "Campsites can be reserved 6 months in advance so it is tough to get one during the summer months but great camping in May, September, and October as well."

What you should know

Transportation logistics: Getting to island campsites requires advance planning. A Boston Harbor Islands camper explained, "We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells."

Bring sufficient water: Most primitive sites lack potable water sources. When camping at Boston Harbor Islands, one reviewer advises, "Make sure that you bring enough drinking water and that you are ok with using the composting bathroom or going in the woods."

Pricing variations: Several campgrounds charge different rates based on residency. At Water's Edge Campground, non-residents pay premium rates. As noted about Wellfleet Hollow, "The only beef I have is that out of staters have to pay an exorbitant fee relative to people from Massachusetts."

Tips for camping with families

Beach proximity: Several campgrounds offer walking access to swimming areas. A Wellfleet Hollow camper noted, "Great Pond and Long Pond are both close by and lovely swimming. You can also walk to Duck Pond from the campground."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campsites often feature native wildlife encounters. One camper at Wellfleet Hollow mentioned, "Wild turkeys moved through camp during my visit."

Biking adventures: For families with children, several campgrounds connect to cycling trails. A Wellfleet visitor shared, "It's a short bike ride to the Cape Cod Rail Trail which is wonderful. If you don't have a bike, you can easily rent one from nearby shops."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Marion Center restrict larger vehicles. At Frosty Hollow Camping Area, site size limits vehicle types. As one Wellfleet Hollow reviewer cautioned, "All of the conditions have led them to limit campers to tents and short trailers/campers only, with length <15' and only 1 unit/vehicle per site."

Limited hookups: Primitive campsites typically lack standard RV amenities. Wellfleet Hollow offers some electrical access but limited services: "There is 20A electric on a number of the sites."

Parking challenges: At tent-focused campgrounds, vehicle parking may be separate from camping areas. One camper warned about Wellfleet Hollow, "Some don't and you have to park in the parking lot which can be a haul to your site."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marion Center, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marion Center, MA is Washburn Island Campsites — Waquoit Bay Reserve with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Marion Center, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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