2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Hanscom AFB FamCamp's year-round camping offers military families access to tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and one yurt tent for pet owners in Bedford, Massachusetts. Dogs are welcome at this wooded recreational retreat that serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby Lexington, Concord, and the Minute Man National Park. The campground features several clean bathhouses with hot water and showers, with tent sites available for pet owners who prefer primitive camping. Peddocks Island and Boston Harbor Islands State Park also accommodate campers with pets, providing 6 yurts and 6 tent sites with shoreline access. Ponkapoag Camp in Milton welcomes pets at their rustic cabins and tent sites surrounded by hiking trails, though the facilities are primitive with outhouses and no showers or electricity. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Newton, Massachusetts.
Trail systems near these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog walking and exploration, with the Blue Hills Reservation accessible from Ponkapoag Camp offering numerous hiking paths. Normandy Farms Campground allows dogs on beautiful grounds with spotless facilities including bathrooms, showers with piped-in music, and hairdryers. Dogs must remain leashed throughout most camping areas, though some locations have designated pet exercise areas. The winter months at locations like Ponkapoag Camp provide cozy cabin options with woodstoves that keep both campers and their dogs comfortable during the cooler seasons. Military families camping at Hanscom appreciate the peaceful setting despite being adjacent to an active Air Force base, with dogs welcome at all sites and open grassy areas for exercise, though no dedicated off-leash dog park exists on the property.
"So you can enjoy the outside without the pesky bites that come with camping!"
"Great dog park. Sites are large and level and free from low hanging branches. Staff is friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend Normandy Farms Campground. You won’t be disappointed."
from $50 - $200 / night
"Water from nearby facet. Because it was local and had history behind it. Rhe campground is within a state park and is built on a old military base."
"We had a dog with us as well and the grounds were very pet friendly. Our campsite was huge and had plenty of room for both of our tents, was very flat, and felt private."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $23 / night
"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"Dogs are welcome but there really isn’t a space/park area for them to run off leash."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $45 / night
"The dog park was nice as well. The campground is close to many restaurants and gas stations also. Cell service with AT&T and T-Mobile was great."
"At first (and this has nothing to do with camp it’s the people and their pets that make or break a visit) we had lots kid noise some had 8 kids!!"
from $44 - $999 / night
"The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw."
"The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area."
from $20 - $65 / night
"Each site has a grill and shade.you can bring your pets and campfires need to be off the ground. There was 2 weddings while we where their."
"We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach. There was no parking at our site, but the parking lot was only 25 yards away so it was not an issue."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 / night
"We had plans on both sides of the state line, so the location worked really well for our trip."
"We stopped at Berry’s Grove while traveling through Massachusetts and were really happy with our stay."
from $1950 / night
"I did not see a playground and there was not a dedicated dog park if you are wondering. Site size was adequate."
"Everything you need 100% Everything clean 100% EASY Access to all attractions 100% We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth"
from $45 - $75 / night
"This place is pretty awesome if you’re looking to see a show at the nearby Comcast center."
from $42 - $58 / night
GuideGreat location if you find a site within walking distance of the beach. Sites are very close together and get pretty noisy. You have to really like people to enjoy this camping area. Bathrooms and shower are very clean though.
GuideNice location if enjoy walks by the ocean. Staff is very friendly. Bathrooms and showers could use some work.
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!
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.
ScoutWe were visiting family around Nashua and needed somewhere to park the RV nearby. Berry’s Grove ended up being a really good fit. We could come and go easily and still have a nice place to relax at the end of the day.
ScoutOceanfront camping at its best—full hookups just steps from the beach. Located in popular Hampton Beach, you'll be close to nightly bandshell concerts and vibrant nightlife. There is a lottery system in place for stays during the summer.
ScoutWaking up with the lake right outside the camper never got old. We would have breakfast, sit by the water for a while and then head out to explore the area.
Camping options near Newton, Massachusetts provide convenient access to Boston's metropolitan area while offering forested retreats. Located in Middlesex County at approximately 100 feet above sea level, Newton's surrounding campgrounds typically experience mild summers with average temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F. Winter camping near Newton requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F, with most campgrounds closing from November through April.
Wildlife viewing on trails: Blue Hills Reservation, accessible from Ponkapoag Camp in Milton, offers 125+ miles of marked trails. "We found a large pond and an underground bunker to venture into. The campsite had trees around it so you felt secluded and there was plenty of wood to collect for a fire," mentions Jess G. about nearby Wompatuck State Park.
Historical exploration: Concord's Revolutionary War sites are just 10 miles from Minute Man Campground in Littleton. "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," says Ann B. The Boston Harbor Islands provide additional historical sites accessible by ferry.
Beach access: Winter Island Park in Salem offers oceanfront camping with tide pools. "The beach is interesting with some tide pools as well as sand and warm water. Life guards were paying attention," notes Lisa M. Swimming is available at multiple ponds within Harold Parker State Forest.
Kayaking opportunities: Boston Harbor Islands State Park and several freshwater ponds near Newton welcome paddlers. Cynthia K. from Winter Island Park mentions, "Easy put in for our kayaks, and convenience for fishing and trail walking."
Peaceful wooded sites: Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest features secluded camping areas surrounded by pines. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," shares Kelly F. Many campers appreciate the natural buffer between sites.
Military facilities: Hanscom AFB FamCamp provides clean facilities for military families and veterans. "We enjoyed our stay at Hanscom, loved staying right across from a runway!!! We loved watching planes come and go! The campground is clean and well maintained, and the staff is delightful!" says Jacey H.
Water features: Ponds, beaches, and swimming areas rank high among camper preferences. "This campground is a little tight with a big rig (40' motorhome pulling a vehicle on a dolly). The sites are a decent size and consist mainly of gravel and grass," notes Rick C. about Circle Campground Farm.
Proximity to Boston: Most campgrounds advertise their convenient access to the city. "Normandy Farms is approximately 35 miles from Boston. If you don't want to drive to the city, you can park at the nearby train or subway station and ride into the city," explains Nancy W.
Reservation requirements: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Newton require advance bookings, especially during summer months. "Sites fill quickly, so plan ahead if you're counting on a particular day," advises Jean C. about Boston Harbor Islands camping.
Limited or no services: Several campgrounds offer primitive camping with minimal amenities. "There is no electricity or running water" at Wompatuck State Park Campground. Paulina B. notes, "For out-of-state visitors, the cost might not be justifiable, with rates of $17-23 per night for in-state visitors and $60 for out of staters."
Alcohol restrictions: State parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site," mentions Randy R. about Lorraine Park Campground.
Urban camping considerations: Campgrounds near cities often experience noise. "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 Cynthia K. about Winter Island Park.
Entertainment options: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive activities for children. "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween 🎃. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool," shares Liz W.
Budget planning: Campgrounds charge varying rates for children and visitors. "This is a family resort that charges $20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate," warns Kathleen S. about Normandy Farms.
Swimming facilities: Pools and natural swimming areas provide relief during summer. "The pool is small but quality. We enjoyed the ping pong table!! Also have arcade, volleyball, and pet walk area," explains Mary F. about Minute Man Campground.
Transit options: Public transportation can reduce parking challenges when visiting Boston with kids. Sean R. notes about Circle CG, "Grounds were well maintained. My family had a good time and I had the luxury of testing everything out on my new trailer with zero issues."
Site selection: When booking dog-friendly campgrounds near Newton, pay attention to site specifications. "I was on site 87 and was able to level on the first try. Not all sites have a fire pit so be sure to book one if you want a fire pit," advises Rick C.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. "Roads are a little narrow which made backing in a little challenging. I had to use other sites to complete the back-in process," explains Sean R. about Circle Campground.
Utility placement: Electric boxes may be distant from parking spots. "Electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord," notes Jim C. about Minute Man Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds close during winter months, though Hanscom AFB FamCamp and Ponkapoag Camp operate year-round. "Summer season early May through end October," mentions Heather C. about Hanscom's limited winter availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Newton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newton, MA is Normandy Farms Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 43 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Newton, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 87 dog-friendly camping locations near Newton, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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