Best Campgrounds near New Bedford, MA

Campgrounds near New Bedford, Massachusetts feature a mix of state parks, private resorts, and reservation-based facilities within 20-30 miles of the city. Horseneck Beach State Reservation provides beachfront camping with sites for tents and RVs, while Boston/Cape Cod KOA in Middleboro offers cabin accommodations along with traditional camping options. Several developed campgrounds in the region, including Massasoit State Park and Myles Standish State Forest, accommodate both tent campers and RVs with varying levels of amenities and hookups.

The camping season in southeastern Massachusetts typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when coastal locations fill quickly. Campgrounds near Cape Cod experience particularly high demand from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Most state parks in the region require advance booking through the Massachusetts reservation system, while private campgrounds often allow direct reservations. Accessibility varies significantly between locations, with some campgrounds offering full hookups and others providing more primitive experiences. As one visitor noted, "The campground is split into different areas depending on your needs (electric, equestrian, tent-only)."

Waterfront access represents a significant attraction for campers in the New Bedford area, with several campgrounds offering proximity to beaches, ponds, or the Cape Cod Canal. Horseneck Beach State Reservation receives consistently positive reviews for its oceanfront location despite limited amenities. According to a visitor, "You cannot beat the location. The beach is rocky, but we can quickly walk to the main beach area." Mixed reviews mention issues with ticks at some coastal campgrounds and varying bathroom cleanliness. Campgrounds inland from the coast generally offer more wooded settings and privacy between sites. Proximity to Cape Cod attractions, Providence, and Newport provides additional recreational opportunities for campers, with many visitors using the campgrounds as a base for exploring the broader region.

Best Camping Sites Near New Bedford, Massachusetts (92)

    1. Massasoit State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Lakeville, MA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 822-7405

    $17 - $27 / night

    "Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."

    "We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."

    2. Boston/Cape Cod KOA

    23 Reviews
    Middleboro, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 947-6435

    "This is a busy campground due to its location . Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions."

    "We selected this campground because of its proximity to family who we would be visiting. It was very convenient to Providence, Cape Cod, and Duxbury."

    3. Horseneck Beach State Reservation

    13 Reviews
    Westport Point, MA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 636-8817

    $22 - $28 / night

    "While we are still nursing a grudge over the ridiculous price gouging Massachusetts enforces on non-residents, I have to admit that the infrastructure of this campground is lovely."

    "The campground is well laid out, easy to navigate, and embraces the natural beauty of the dunes along the Massachusetts south coast.

    Rest rooms and showers are clean and well kept."

    4. Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    19 Reviews
    South Carver, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 866-2526

    $17 - $35 / night

    "My home away from home, I have been going to Myles Standish state forest to camp swim and critter catch since I was a little girl. Some of my fondest memories were made here."

    "Good access to surrounding new England towns."

    5. Newport RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Portsmouth, RI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 682-2424

    $70 - $140 / night

    "We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). There is a lot to do in this area and we wanted to spend time sightseeing. "

    "The premium sites have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors. However, they have great paver stone patios and fire pits."

    6. Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod

    5 Reviews
    Rochester, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Heavily treed and shaded campground, extremely large to walk from front to back. Had good kids crafts. Loved the easy access to Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Boston."

    "fished, hiked, swam, crabbed and had awesome camp fires.We could of lived off of the land if so inclined.We had plenty of room and the sites as well as the entire campground was clean we also had access to"

    7. Bourne Scenic Park

    13 Reviews
    Buzzards Bay, MA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 759-7873

    "Bike path along the canal, easy access.

    Lots of playgrounds for different ages

    Bounce pad (in-ground)

    Pool

    Stair access to canal bike path."

    "Bourne Scenic Park is conveniently located near many of Cape Cod’s attractions including beaches, golf courses, historic landmarks, restaurants and shopping. "

    8. Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground

    21 Reviews
    Sandwich, MA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 888-0351

    $17 - $55 / night

    "I like this campground because it is close to home.  There isn't much to do here within the campground.  It has two areas.  The one nearer the camp entrance is smaller than the second. "

    "We have stayed here during our exploration around cape cod. It's a but farther away from the main location, but we loved the quiet and tranquility of this campground."

    9. Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins

    12 Reviews
    North Falmouth, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 548-1458

    "Nice campground, but need to get sites away from the backside of the pool, street noise is too loud"

    "That being said, we use this mostly as a location to do other things- Old Silver Beach is 10 minutes down the road as is the Shining Sea Bike path."

    10. Jellystone Park™ Cranberry Acres

    8 Reviews
    South Carver, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 866-4040

    $70 / night

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Recent Reviews near New Bedford, MA

666 Reviews of 92 New Bedford Campgrounds


  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Boston/Cape Cod KOA

    Koa Cape Cod

    Stayed in several KOAs over last few weeks. I would say needs attention. Appearance is not up to standard. Restrooms and grounds are not as clean by comparison.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • Kathleen S.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Loud and crowded!

    Know what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it,$20 for her and$20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Close to a beach, serenity hiding in city life

    Some areas to hike on a small scale. Nice view of the water. No ocean views. Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together.

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.

  • Colin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Dunes' Edge Campground - Provincetown Camping

    Very nice and quiet camp ground.

    A very nice and quiet camp ground. No generators, and air conditioners allowed, just the noise of nature. Also, no dish washing at camp sites. You must use one of the two wash stations.

    Very friendly staff and clean facilities, and they believe in recycling. Just watch the pot hole on the way in.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins

    Lovely campground

    Can’t go wrong with this campground. Well maintained, clean, kind staff and close to everything.

  • Eddie A.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Scusset Beach State Reservation

    Great place to Bike and fish and of course enjoy nature

    Beautiful place overall Staff are very kind , professional and helpful

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Coastal Acres Campground

    Tight but friendly

    Sites are a tight squeeze but the charm is unmistakable. The staff(Deb and Lucy) are fabulous! The welcome is unmatched. You are within walking distance of all downtown activities. There are bike and jeep trails. No fire rings and not much privacy. Would come again!


Guide to New Bedford

Camping near New Bedford, Massachusetts offers both coastal and wooded options within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at sea level with average summer temperatures between 70-85°F and frequent ocean breezes. Most campgrounds in southeastern Massachusetts don't open until mid-April and close by late October, with some remaining operational until November 15th.

What to do

Fishing at local ponds: Myles Standish State Forest offers multiple kettle ponds for fishing. "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us. The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse," reports one visitor to Myles Standish State Forest Campground.

Biking along the Cape Cod Canal: The paved bike path along the canal is accessible from several campgrounds. At Bourne Scenic Park, campers appreciate the "stair access to canal bike path" and "bike path along the canal, easy access." The canal path offers miles of flat riding with water views.

Shelling and beach exploration: Rocky beaches near camping areas provide interesting shoreline exploration. "The beach is small and quiet, and has some great shells and rocks. All in all, a quiet campground with the fundamentals," notes a visitor to Horseneck Beach State Reservation.

What campers like

Spacious sites for privacy: Several campgrounds offer good site separation. At Massasoit State Park Campground, campers mention: "We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect." Sites often include both fire rings and grills.

Clean facilities despite heavy use: Many campgrounds maintain good bathroom standards. "The comfort stations (indoor bathroom and shower and outdoor sink area) were clean and well maintained and close to all the sites," reports a Massasoit visitor. Another camper notes, "Bathrooms with music piped in. Love this place to pieces."

Proximity to beaches and water: Access to water is a key attraction. One camper at Newport RV Park mentioned, "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park." Another visitor noted it's "about an 20 min drive to local beaches."

What you should know

Ticks can be problematic: Especially in coastal campgrounds, ticks are a significant concern. A camper at Horseneck Beach State Reservation reported: "Why did we go home early? The TICKS!!! The tick situation was just very difficult. We drowned ourselves in tick spray, but the ticks were overwhelming."

Weekend traffic and bridge congestion: Traffic crossing onto Cape Cod can cause significant delays. At Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, campers note: "Very convenient however, I found the traffic from nearby roads, highways and maybe even an airport to be surprisingly loud." Another mentioned it's "not recommended for light sleepers but very convenient."

Varying shower situations: Bathroom and shower access varies widely between campgrounds. "Each loop has one bathhouse. Ours, unfortunately, did not have hot water. We were told if we wanted it, we could go to any of the other loops," reported a Myles Standish visitor. At another campground: "There were long lines for showers every night and the showers were very outdated and not clean at all."

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer excellent play areas. At Jellystone Park Cranberry Acres, there are "Plenty of activities offered like miniature golf, basketball, horseshoes, a game room, and more." Another visitor mentioned, "Lots of fun activities for the kids, including wagon rides and foam parties."

Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts," wrote a visitor to Boston/Cape Cod KOA. Another camper noted their children "really enjoyed the lake!"

Swimming options vary: Pond swimming may be preferable to ocean beaches for some families. "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds," notes a Myles Standish camper. Another visitor mentioned "Nice new pool and kiddie pool" at Jellystone Park.

Tips from RVers

Hookup limitations and dumping options: Many campgrounds have partial hookups only. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, an RVer advised: "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."

Site levelness challenges: Some campgrounds require extensive leveling equipment. At Bourne Scenic Park, "Leveling was not an issue for us in our site (C-25) but the majority of sites would be a problem for a motorhome to get level without the aid of blocks. In fact, some sites were ridiculously unlevel and took a scary amount of blocks."

Seasonal differences in crowds: The camping experience varies dramatically by season. At Myles Standish State Forest, a camper noted: "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity. But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free camping options near New Bedford?

Free camping options are extremely limited near New Bedford and throughout Massachusetts. Ponkapoag Camp offers some of the most affordable camping in the region, though not free, and is conveniently located for Boston area residents. The camping area around Blue Hills Reservation provides basic facilities at budget-friendly rates. For those with self-contained RVs, some Walmarts in the broader region may permit overnight parking, but always check with management first as policies vary by location. Massachusetts state forests sometimes offer more economical camping compared to state parks, though all require fees. For truly free camping, you'll likely need to venture into neighboring states like New Hampshire or Maine where dispersed camping is more widely permitted in national forests.

Is dispersed camping allowed in the New Bedford area?

Dispersed camping (also called primitive or backcountry camping) is not permitted in the New Bedford area or most of eastern Massachusetts. All camping in this region must be done at designated campgrounds with proper facilities. State forests like Myles Standish State Forest and Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground offer more rustic camping experiences but still require camping in designated sites with permits. Massachusetts has strict regulations against camping on public lands outside of established campgrounds. For those seeking a more isolated experience, these state forests offer larger sites with more privacy than many private campgrounds, though you'll still be in a managed camping environment with basic amenities like restrooms and water access.

What are the best campgrounds near New Bedford, MA?

Within an hour's drive of New Bedford, Horseneck Beach State Reservation offers oceanfront camping with convenient amenities including water spigots, generator use during daytime hours, and an on-site dump station. The beachfront location is its standout feature despite basic facilities. Another excellent option is Scusset Beach State Reservation, located near the Sagamore Bridge. While primarily catering to RVs, it does offer some wooded tent sites. Both locations get busy during summer months, so reservations are highly recommended. Other quality options in the region include Myles Standish State Forest campgrounds and Shawme Crowell State Forest, both offering peaceful woodland settings within reasonable driving distance to New Bedford.

What family-friendly camping activities are available near New Bedford?

The New Bedford area offers numerous family-friendly camping experiences. At Nickerson State Park Campground, families can access the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path, which connects to both bay and ocean beaches. The park features lovely hiking trails and is walking distance to a bayside beach, with bike rentals available nearby. For a unique island adventure, Marthas Vineyard Family Campground provides camping on one of Massachusetts' most beloved islands with activities for all ages. Families can also enjoy the multiple ponds at Myles Standish State Forest for swimming and fishing, or explore the Boston/Cape Cod KOA's organized activities like scavenger hunts and movie nights, all within driving distance of New Bedford.