Within 30 miles of Milton, Massachusetts, visitors can find several tent camping options throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This coastal region offers a mix of woodland and island camping experiences, with several seasonal options available from May through October. Weather conditions range from warm summers with average highs around 80°F to cooler spring and fall temperatures, making appropriate gear selection important for campers.
What to do
Explore historic forts: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers unique opportunities to explore abandoned military structures. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails," notes camper Martha H.
Go swimming and paddling: The Harbor Islands provide excellent water recreation options during summer months. "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," according to one reviewer. At Camp Nihan Education Center, campers appreciate the adjacent Breakheart Reservation with "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails."
Beach activities: Multiple coastal campgrounds provide beach access within a short distance. At Cape Ann Camp Site, campers enjoy "great beach access" according to Rebecca S., while another reviewer mentioned "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever."
What campers like
Island seclusion with urban views: Campers particularly value the isolation of island camping while maintaining proximity to Boston. "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it," reports Jess G. about Lovells Island.
Natural woodlands close to urban areas: The forested setting at Camp Nihan provides an escape without long travel times. As Michael V. describes, "The terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods... All of this right in Saugus MA, less than 30 minutes from Boston."
Wildlife encounters: Buck Hill Campground and Cape Ann offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Cape Ann, one camper mentioned "spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc." While Buck Hill is described as "heavily wooded without much else around" providing a rural camping experience.
What you should know
Ferry logistics: Harbor Island camping requires careful 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."
Site assignments: Some campers report issues with site allocation. "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 Harbor Islands camper.
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. Cape Ann has "clean bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents)." At Buck Hill, expect "a few rough restrooms and some porta-potties," while Harbor Islands features composting toilets or primitive facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Pack appropriate gear: Island camping requires careful preparation. "If you have a folding wagon, you may appreciate having it to carry items on and off the ferry and to your site on the island. There may or may not be carts available on the island," advises one Harbor Islands camper.
Consider group sites: Water's Edge Campground and Camp Nihan offer group camping areas ideal for families traveling together. At Camp Nihan, "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."
Seasonal activities: Summer camping provides additional programming. On Harbor Islands, families can "earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service, fly a kite, or go for a swim or kayak. In mid-August we collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks."
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: For the best tent camping near Milton, Massachusetts at Cape Ann, RVers note site conditions vary considerably. "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads," mentions one camper, while another states "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites."
Hookup availability: Cape Ann provides various hookup options. "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi," notes Lajaun C., though pricing reflects these amenities with one camper reporting "$60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate seasonally. Cape Ann is open "May 15 - Oct 15," and Harbor Islands only operates "June to Labor Day weekend," limiting RV camping options in the off-season months.
