RV camping opportunities near Melrose, Massachusetts exist within a 30-mile radius across eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The region features both coastal and inland options at elevations ranging from sea level to 300 feet. Many campgrounds close seasonally between October and April due to New England's harsh winter conditions, with average January temperatures dropping to 22°F.
What to do
Beach access: Winter Island Park in Salem offers direct oceanfront camping within 12 miles of Melrose. "We camped in tents and loved this campground. The restrooms were very clean and being cleaned constantly. The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks," notes a visitor who appreciated the waterfront location.
Historical exploration: Spacious Skies Minute Man provides an ideal base for Revolutionary War history buffs. "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord so spend a morning in this special city," a reviewer explains.
Golfing: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with direct access to a golf course. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," reports one camper who enjoyed the sports facilities alongside camping amenities.
What campers like
Easy city access: Winter Island Park offers urban proximity without sacrificing waterfront views. "This is one of two campgrounds located <25 miles from Boston with good commute options into the city. If you choose to drive, beware that traffic is a nightmare and parking expensive, but if you have a group that may price out to be less expensive than the commuter rail," advises one visitor.
Improved management: Campground leadership makes a difference at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, where recent changes have been welcomed. "In the past the management of Tewksbury plan was not the best. New pack management is very accommodating and cares about the quality of peoples experience," reports a reviewer who noticed improvements.
Proximity to Maine and coastal towns: Multiple campgrounds serve as convenient bases for regional exploration. "You are also just twenty minutes or so to Portsmouth and Newburyport which are some of our favorite New England coastal towns," shares a Seacoast Camping visitor who appreciated the strategic location.
What you should know
GPS and navigation challenges: Several campgrounds report issues with mapping services. At Tuxbury Pond, "if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)," warns a camper.
Cellular connectivity: Cell service reliability varies widely. "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," reports a Tuxbury Pond tent camper, indicating the need for offline maps and communication alternatives.
Pet policies: Beach Rose RV Park allows pets but has specific restrictions, while Hidden Valley RV prohibits pets entirely. Most other rv sites near Melrose, Massachusetts permit dogs with standard leash requirements.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Seacoast Camping and RV Resort offers quality recreation areas for children. "Great small campground - very clean, very quiet. Not a lot for kids to do," notes one reviewer, indicating families should bring additional entertainment options.
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds have active nocturnal visitors. "The cons were the noise during the day from the beachgoers, and the visits from racoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers)," reports a Winter Island visitor who recommends secure food storage.
Bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms matter for family camping. "The park has a full time bathroom attendant from 8 AM to 8 PM, so restrooms and showers were well kept," reports a Winter Island camper, though not all campgrounds offer this level of maintenance.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RV camping near Melrose, Massachusetts, advance planning is essential. At Pine Acres Resort, one RVer notes, "Site was across from the pavilion. Arrived at 6:30 pm and there had to be about 30 or more golf carts parked in front of our site," suggesting request sites away from common areas.
Concrete pad benefits: Beach Rose RV Park offers solid parking surfaces. "Level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet," reports a recent visitor who appreciated the stability for leveling their rig.
Site spacing considerations: Most RV sites in the region have limited separation. "The site was one I would pay maybe 30/night for most anywhere else. I was charged 80/night," notes a Tuxbury Pond visitor, reflecting the premium pricing for camping within day-trip distance of Boston despite modest amenities.
