Situated 25 miles north of Boston at an elevation of around 100 feet, North Andover camping areas feature New England's characteristic deciduous forests and glacial ponds. The region's moderate climate provides comfortable camping temperatures from May through September, with summer highs typically ranging between 75-85°F. Several pet-friendly campgrounds near North Andover maintain facilities open through mid-October.
What to do
Explore historic coastal towns: Salem sits approximately 20 miles from North Andover camping areas, offering maritime history and Halloween attractions. "The campsite we loved; it was clean & secluded enough but close enough to others to meet & greet if you wanted," notes a visitor to Cape Ann Camp Site.
Visit Revolutionary War sites: The region features significant historical landmarks within short driving distance. "The White Mountains, New Hemisphere, is a must, worth the short drive especially if you can go in early October, when the leaves are changing. Boston is only 40 minutes away, and the best of Maine is also very close," shares a camper at Spacious Skies Minute Man.
Enjoy water recreation: Multiple ponds and lakes offer swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water."
What campers like
Large wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature spacious sites under mature trees. At Lorraine Park Campground, "Convenient location, but still let's you get away. Nice wooded sites. Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms as a positive feature. "Awesome park. It was a quiet night and bathrooms where clean. Has spacious showers. Park rangers drive around campground often," notes a Lorraine Park visitor.
Beach access: Coastal campgrounds provide convenient ocean access. A Salisbury Beach State Reservation camper reports, "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!"
Wildlife viewing: Native fauna adds to the camping experience. According to a visitor at Winter Island Park, "We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach... The pros were the great view, easy put in for our kayaks, and convenience for fishing and trail walking."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campgrounds vary significantly in site privacy and features. "We chose this campground because we got a booking discount on the Dyrt app... No hot water for showers, no separation between some tent sites, strong sewer smell in woman's restroom & on some campsites," warns a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess," notes a Pawtuckaway State Park camper.
Alcohol policies vary: State parks typically prohibit alcohol while private campgrounds allow it. A camper at Wakeda Campground mentions, "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," but doesn't mention specific alcohol policies.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences occasional heavy rain and summer humidity. "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. Winter Island Park accepted our same day reservation for two nights and they're very reasonable rates."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Wakeda Campground, "We stayed in one of cabins and it served its purpose especially during a passing storm. It was nice to sit in the front porch and watch the storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas ideal for families with children. "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," reports a Cape Ann Camp Site visitor.
Pet-friendly sites for dog families: While many campgrounds accept pets, specific rules vary. "Good sites, with water and 30 amp electric. Easy walk to the beach. Dog friendly, big dump site, and good prices," notes a Salisbury Beach visitor.
Educational opportunities: The region offers numerous historical sites suitable for children. "The next day we wanted to go for a hike before we hit the road. Unfortunately, the state parks near the campsite do not allow dogs during late Spring to early Fall. Using our Bring Fido App, we found Rails to Trails nearby that we could bring our dog and hiking cat."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Electric and water connections may require planning. A Spacious Skies Minute Man camper notes, "Good level site water and electric (full hook ups also available) electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord."
Dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. "Good laundry facilities. Our site was set up a little weird but we made it work," shares a Hanscom AFB FamCamp visitor.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The sites' privacy is very diverse. 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."
Seasonal camping options: Some campgrounds allow longer-term stays. "There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you. It's a great base for sightseeing."
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