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Camping opportunities in northeastern Massachusetts include several established campgrounds within easy reach of Newbury. The area features a mix of state parks and private RV resorts that cater to various camping styles. Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups near the shore, while inland options like Harold Parker State Forest offer more wooded experiences. Most campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operations, typically opening from May through October. The proximity to coastal beaches and inland forests creates diverse camping environments within a relatively compact geographic area.
The camping season in this coastal region runs primarily from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Campgrounds near Newbury maintain varying regulations regarding alcohol consumption, with state parks typically prohibiting it while private campgrounds often allow it. Many facilities offer full hookups for RVs including water, electric, and sewer connections. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with warm summers and cool springs and falls. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. "The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston are accessible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay," noted one visitor to Harold Parker State Forest.
Beach access represents a significant draw for many campers visiting the area. Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides direct beach access that attracts families and groups. Several visitors highlighted the convenience of seaside camping without needing to drive to reach the shore. Inland campgrounds like Harold Parker State Forest offer more spacious, wooded sites with greater privacy than beachfront options. "The sites are large, often with good separation from neighbors, some have a hilly approach," reported one camper. Most developed campgrounds provide showers and restroom facilities, though cleanliness and maintenance can vary throughout the season. Private RV parks often feature additional amenities like swimming pools, camp stores, and recreational facilities, while state parks typically offer more natural settings with hiking trails and water access for paddling or fishing.
"However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."
"The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
"Kids had enough driving for the day so we had to stop. We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating."
"Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you"
"Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability"We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."
"Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."
from $48 - $97 / night
Check Availability"north of Boston and <5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts"
"You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus."
from $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."
"We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"
"One side of the campground is bordered by an inlet that fishing boats use to head out from the harbor. Another side is sand dunes, that are the south end of Hampton beach."
"Hampton Beach SP is a small beachside campground for self-contained RVs only; if you’re in a tent, you may want to look south to Salisbury SP just a few miles across the border into MA."
from $70 / night
Check Availability"So clean, friendly staff and plenty to do here or close by. Minutes away from some very nice beaches"
"Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."
"There’s not much around here to do, but for us we enjoyed the calmness."
from $35 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."
"We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to a COVID testing site which would take non MA residents and turn the results around under 48 hours. We needed quiet camping and not have it cost a fortune."
from $60 / night
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RangerLOVE this campground. Beautiful grounds with campsites nestled in a hemlock pine forest with lots of forest all around. So peaceful. Full hookup. Nearby Kennebunk and Kennebunk Port. No hiking trail on the grounds but many a short drive away. Pickleball and disc golf nearby. Only bummer was we wish we stayed longer. We would love to return for a week or more!
ScoutThis RV park was a small little park with a little lake to fish and swim (if you're brave enough) Overall had a pleasant experience until 2 weeks after we had left.
After paying and calling to ensure we were all squared away before leaving with a good to go and a zero-dollar balance, we left. 2 weeks later they charged my card again without letting me know. I figured it must have been a mistake since I had the paperwork with a zero-dollar balance AND I called to ensure we were all set.
Turns out it was purposeful- management decided that there was an additional admin fee after I had left the property. Note that this was not anything to do with any mess or damage left behind -That I could completely understand but this was a random additional charge. They went ahead and charged without any warning and with no real explanation.
I stayed here for 2 months and the first month had no such issues and no additional payments due.
If you stay here- be aware that they can charge your card EVEN IF you call and make sure you are all set AND have proof of a zero dollar balance.
They will say its in the contract and while there is an admin fee section in the contract- it does not state anywhere that it will be charged later, not included in your original bill or anything that would make charging your card randomly acceptable - especially with a zero dollar balance.
I'm not sure how many times they do this to people but the charge was on the smaller side, so they probably get away with this A LOT.
ScoutWe brought the boat along and having water access added an entirely different dimension to the trip. Instead of loading everything into the truck and driving somewhere for the day, we could make being on the water part of the camping experience itself.
ScoutThis is our 2nd year as seasonal campers and it is wonderful. The seasons sites are very spacious and most have plenty of shade/sun. The transient site are not as spacious but have grassy areas and plenty of sun. There are no tent sites at this time
ScoutI always find this is a good spot to have a few quiet nights. Can set up a fire an lf just relax. There are bathrooms with showers but byob bath stuff
GuideBeautiful park! Real contact with nature, super safe... get ready to walk.
GuideThis is a nice campground with 90% permanent upscale sites. Don’t let that deter you, the nightly spots are concentrated have excellent natural surroundings. Decent size spaces and mostly level. Workers were nice and many things to do.
ScoutCoffee by the water before anyone else in our camper woke up. That alone made the trip worth it.
ScoutWe have family around Nashua but wanted to bring the RV rather than stay at someone’s house for several days. This turned out to be a great arrangement. We could spend the day visiting everyone and then come back to our own space at night. It also meant nobody had to rearrange their house for us, which I’m sure they appreciated as much as we did.
Camping near Newbury, Massachusetts involves a mix of coastal and woodland settings along the North Shore region where elevations rarely exceed 100 feet above sea level. The area experiences relatively mild coastal temperatures with highs averaging 80°F in summer and frequent coastal breezes. The camping season typically spans from early May through mid-October with fall foliage season creating notable temperature fluctuations from day to night.
Explore local beaches: At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, campers can access both oceanfront and river paddling opportunities. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There is also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching. Beware of tides and strong currents in these areas as they can make paddling difficult," noted one visitor.
Visit historic coastal towns: Cape Ann Camp Site provides convenient access to nearby historic communities. "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views," shares one camper. Most coastal towns are within 20-30 minutes by car.
Mini-golf and activities: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly activities within minutes of camp. "Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which has cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew," mentioned one camper at Harold Parker State Forest.
Beach proximity: Beach Rose RV Park offers convenient beach access without waterfront prices. "Great campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! It's only about a mile from the beach. We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach," shared one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," noted a visitor to Wakeda Campground. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing times.
Evening entertainment: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities. "The live band was cool but we had golf carts & parked vehicles pretty much surrounding us & some right on our campsite. Then around 8, there was a gentleman that started setting up for a comedy show. All 3 comedians were clearly aware that there was a child in the audience & one specific comedian said right from the get-go that he was going to keep it clean," explained a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Resort.
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds range from tightly packed to spacious sites. "The sites are large, often with good separation from neighbors, some have a hilly approach," reported one camper at Harold Parker State Forest. At Hampton Beach State Park, expect closer quarters: "Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map!"
Beach parking alternatives: During peak summer months, beach parking lots fill early and charge $15-25 per vehicle. "We were able to get a great meal right next to the water. After lunch pop over to Wallis Sand Beach for an afternoon relaxing by the sea," suggested one camper staying at Sea Coast Camping.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially for summer weekends. "We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating," noted one fortunate visitor to Sea Coast Camping.
Beach selection: Not all beaches offer the same experience for families. "So we went with our two dogs. there were plenty of other people there with dogs as well. there were a lot of children on bikes and playing. The beach was clean," reported a visitor to Salisbury Beach who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere.
Playground options: Lorraine Park Campground offers recreation beyond beaches. "Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," shared one visitor.
Weather preparedness: Coastal weather can change quickly. "This campground is directly on the Salisbury beach. When we arrived it was raining so there was hardly anyone here. We got caught in the rain," mentioned one camper who still enjoyed their stay despite unexpected weather.
Hookup positioning: At some campgrounds, utility connections may require extra equipment. "We had to back onto the grass in order to reach the electric and since the ground was hard packed sand we were able to do that. Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem," advised an RVer at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Seasonal considerations: RVers should note different facility availability throughout the season. "Half the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients. We were there in the off-season (May) and didn't have any neighbors so it was pretty quiet," observed a camper at Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort.
Transit options: RVers interested in exploring beyond the immediate area have public transportation choices. "Great location from the ocean and some nice towns to visit. Boston and Salem are very close and you can take a train which is only 5 minutes away from the campground," noted a visitor to Beach Rose RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the camping options near Plum Island in Newbury, Massachusetts?
Several camping options exist within a short drive of Plum Island. The Pines Camping Area in Salisbury offers full hookups for RVs close to the beach. For a more natural setting, Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest is under 25 miles away with wooded sites and outdoor activities. If you're willing to travel a bit farther, Cape Ann Camp Site near Gloucester provides access to beautiful coastal areas. For military families, Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers wooded sites with various amenities in a secure environment.
Where can I find camping on Plum Island in Newbury, MA?
Direct camping on Plum Island itself is not available, but the closest option is Salisbury Beach State Reservation just north of Plum Island. This oceanfront campground offers water and electric hookups with easy beach access. The location is ideal for day trips to Plum Island, being only a short drive away. Sites are open and close together rather than private, making it perfect for group camping experiences. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months when this popular coastal destination fills quickly.
Is overnight camping permitted on Plum Island beaches in Newbury?
Overnight camping is not permitted directly on Plum Island beaches. The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, which covers most of Plum Island, prohibits overnight stays to protect the natural habitat. For legal camping near Plum Island, Beach Rose RV Park in nearby Salisbury is a small, family-owned option with friendly staff and clean facilities. They even offer a swimming pool and are accommodating during busy periods. Massachusetts state beaches generally do not permit overnight camping unless in designated campgrounds.
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