Public lands surrounding Middleton, Massachusetts offer several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from wooded tent campsites to primitive island sites accessible by ferry. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester provides wooded tent campsites from May 15 to October 15, with sites set among trees and boulders. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers tent camping on several islands accessible by ferry from Hingham or Boston, operating from June through Labor Day weekend. Camp Nihan Education Center provides tent-only camping in a more rustic setting with recently renovated facilities.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms. Cape Ann's tent sites include clean bathhouses with pay showers (25 cents for 5 minutes) and are set on varied terrain that can become muddy after rain. Boston Harbor Islands requires significant planning as tent campers must transport all supplies via ferry and pack water unless staying on Peddocks Island where water is available. Composting toilets are provided on the islands, and campers should be prepared for primitive tent camping conditions with minimal facilities.
Tent sites at Cape Ann are notably more secluded than RV areas, providing privacy among the trees. According to reviews, "The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites" that offer good spacing between neighbors. Walk-in tent sites on the Boston Harbor Islands provide a rare backcountry tent camping experience near an urban center, though one visitor noted that "camping on the islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company." The islands feature opportunities for exploration of historic forts, rocky shorelines, and trails. Camp Nihan's group site is described as "super close to parking yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods," making it suitable for families seeking primitive tent camping with convenient access.
"Beautiful rural setting w/ open & tree shaded sites. Full, partial & no hook-up sites for rv’s & tent camping."
"Location works well. Very narrow road coming in after 128. More for smaller RVs and tent camping. Picnic tables could be replaced."
from $36 - $44 / night
"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."
"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 availablefrom $8 - $55 / night
ScoutAmazing amenities and activities here. Staff is great. Lots of room for big rigs. Tent spots are shady while other ones are sunnier. They have rentals such as log cabins/ A-frames to rent also. Hot tubs and pools too!
TravelerGreat spot with all types of different campsites.
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
LegendI’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.
LegendThis is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
ScoutShowers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
GuideHard 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.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
GuideI 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!
Tent camping near Middleton, Massachusetts provides access to both wooded sites and coastal locations within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 80°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with highs in the 60-70°F range. Several campgrounds remain open from May through mid-October, with terrain ranging from rocky coastal sites to inland wooded areas with varied elevation.
Water activities at Gloucester beaches: Cape Ann Camp Site sits just a short distance from local beaches where campers can swim, fish, or explore the shoreline. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets," notes Martha H. about Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Visit the historic forts on the Boston Harbor Islands for a unique day trip. "During the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore. This is a great adventure for kids," shares a visitor to Peddocks Island.
Blackberry picking: Mid-August visitors to Peddocks Island can collect wild blackberries while hiking the trails. "In mid-August we collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks," reports Jean C.
Secluded wooded sites: Many tent campers appreciate the privacy offered by sites nestled among trees. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc.," mentions John S. about his stay at Cape Ann Camp Site.
Beach proximity: Quick access to sandy shores ranks high for summer visitors. "Great beach access and friendly staff," notes Rebecca S. about Cape Ann's location, which puts campers within walking distance of coastal activities.
Natural terrain features: The unique landscape with large boulders and varied elevations adds character to camping sites. "We had a great time camping and going to the beach. The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits. We were tent camping and were very happy with our site," reports Dan about his experience at Cape Ann.
Ferry logistics: Boston Harbor Island camping requires advance transportation planning. "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 to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells," explains Jess G. about her journey to Boston Harbor Islands.
Site availability concerns: Even with reservations, campsite selection can sometimes be challenging. "When we got to the island we found that all of the sites had already been taken even though we had booked online months ahead," reports one camper about Lovells Island.
Shower facilities: Pay showers are common at established campgrounds in the region. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," shares Ben E. about his stay at Cape Ann.
Child-friendly terrain: Look for sites that balance wilderness feel with accessibility. "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," reports Michael V. about his experience at Camp Nihan Education Center.
Junior Ranger programs: Children can earn badges through educational activities on the Boston Harbor Islands. "While you're out on the islands, take time to explore one of the others... earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service," suggests one visitor.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly swimming areas. "The camp is also 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," notes a Camp Nihan visitor.
Site conditions: RV campers should note that many sites in the region lack concrete pads. "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a 'dump station,'" reports doris C. about Cape Ann Camp Site.
Utility connections: Check what hookups are available before booking. "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," shares Ben E. about Cape Ann's pricing and amenities.
On-site stores: Some campgrounds offer basic supplies for campers who forget essentials. "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi. There is a nice little store on-site for anything you forgot. It is also close enough to stores if you need more," notes Lajaun C. about the convenience of having a camp store at Cape Ann.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Middleton, MA is Cape Ann Camp Site with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
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