Camping options near Marshfield, Massachusetts range from rustic forest sites to family-oriented campgrounds with coastal access. Located in Plymouth County about 30 miles southeast of Boston, this area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures of 81°F and mild spring/fall seasons suitable for extended camping. Winter camping is extremely limited with most facilities closing by late October due to average January temperatures of 22°F and frequent snow.
What to do
Mountain biking at Wompatuck State Park: Located 20 minutes north of Marshfield in Hingham, the park offers extensive trail systems for biking enthusiasts. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," notes Mike M., who rated the experience 5 stars.
Fishing at Pinewood Lodge Campground: The campground features a fishing pond with catch-and-release policies. "We were lucky enough to get a site by the pond. There was great views from our site of the pond. On the site there was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on," shares Laurie in her 5-star review.
Exploring kettle ponds at Myles Standish State Forest: The forest features several spring-fed ponds for swimming and kayaking. "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us," reports Kim R., who appreciated the multiple pond options during her 4-star stay.
What campers like
Privacy levels at Wompatuck State Park Campground: Sites offer varying degrees of seclusion. "Sites are more secluded than other camp grounds but can be a bit small. Bathrooms are nice and dumpsters available for trash," notes Tim L. in his 4-star review.
Cost differences for Massachusetts residents: State parks charge significantly different rates for in-state versus out-of-state visitors. "For out-of-state visitors, the cost might not be justifiable, with rates of $17-23 per night for in-state visitors and $60 for out of staters," explains Paulina B. about Wompatuck State Park.
Water recreation at Curlew Pond Campground: Many campers value waterfront access. "All the sites are basically on the water. It's great. The Reserve America / DCR site map is wildly inaccurate and shows our site not at all near the water so it was a great surprise to be RIGHT on the water," shares Tim S. in his review.
What you should know
Shower conditions vary significantly: Quality and comfort of shower facilities differ between campgrounds. At Curlew Pond, Tim S. reports: "The showers are clean and private but, unless I am just inept, they seem to have one temp setting (push button operation) and that setting is scalding hot. Like for real, it steamed up the whole room almost instantly and it was too hot to actually use."
Site proximity awareness at Boston/Cape Cod KOA: Site selection impacts experience quality. "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. With that being said I did not take my own advice and I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to," advises Janet P.
Fire restrictions and alcohol rules: Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol, affecting some campers' experiences. Randy R. notes about Myles Standish: "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed. Too bad. The place has nice level sites and close to the Cape."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options for kids: The best places to camp near Marshfield for families offer structured entertainment. At Jellystone Park Cranberry Acres, Jason T. reports: "Nice and clean campground with friendly staff. There are Plenty of activities offered like miniature golf, basketball, horseshoes, a game room, and more."
Water features for children: Swimming areas vary in quality and maintenance. Samantha S. found Boston/Cape Cod KOA impressive: "As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground."
Pet policies for families with dogs: Some campgrounds restrict pets to specific camping types. Michael M. shares about Jellystone: "I used to come here every year with my girlfriend way back when it was shady acres. It's a nice little retreat with tons of things for kids. BUT I unfortunately will not return this year. There's a new policy that states if you have a dog YOU MUST HAVE A CAMPER."
Tips from RVers
Military discount options at Fourth Cliff Recreation Area: This coastal option offers special access. "This is a great place for military members. Full hook ups, houses to rent, tent sites, and lots to do. Once the season closes very quiet, lots of stores in the area close," notes Larry N. in his 5-star review.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds lack full hookups but provide alternative solutions. Heatherly S. notes about Curlew Pond: "No electric or water hookups at Curlew pond," while other visitors mention the availability of dump stations elsewhere in Myles Standish State Forest.
Site leveling challenges: Ground conditions affect setup difficulty. At Myles Standish, Desiree M. observes: "Some sites are on slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard. Some nice pond views."
