Camping opportunities near North Reading, Massachusetts span several state parks and private campgrounds within a 20-mile radius. North Reading sits at an elevation of approximately 98 feet above sea level in Essex County, positioned along the Ipswich River watershed. The region features a mix of deciduous forests, small ponds, and some marshy areas, creating diverse terrain for campers seeking sites close to Boston but removed from urban density.
What to do
Mountain biking at Wompatuck State Park: The park offers excellent trail systems for beginner and intermediate riders. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," notes a visitor. Wompatuck provides multiple cycling options with varying difficulty levels across its extensive trail network.
Revolutionary War history exploration: Stay at Spacious Skies Minute Man as your base camp for historical adventures. "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. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord so spend a morning in this special city," says a camper.
Beach access from Salisbury Beach: Campers can enjoy ocean activities at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. "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," warns a visitor.
Military aviation viewing: Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers a unique opportunity to watch aircraft. "Kinda cool watching the airplanes take off and land with the small airport next door," mentions a camper. The campground's proximity to the airfield provides an unexpected entertainment option, especially for aviation enthusiasts.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest offers secluded sites. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," reports a camper. Sites feature individual water hookups, an uncommon amenity at many state parks.
Proximity to Salem attractions: Winter Island Park provides convenient access to Salem's historic sites. "We stayed one night here to experience Salem during Halloween at a tent site. Positives are access to Salem, Uber and Lyft are available though scarcer as the night gets later (10:30 pm), it is also on the trolley line if you need transportation during their business hours," shares a visitor.
Boston accessibility: Several campgrounds serve as good basecamps for Boston day trips. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day," notes a Winter Island Park camper.
Pond access and fishing: The small ponds throughout the region provide fishing opportunities. "We have tent camped here 4 Times. Its so clean and beautiful," shares a camper about Lorraine Park, where multiple ponds allow for fishing without traveling far from your site.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. "We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient," notes a visitor. Off-season camping options are extremely limited in this region.
Massachusetts alcohol policies: State parks have restrictions on alcohol. "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site," mentions a Lorraine Park visitor. This policy applies to most state-run campgrounds in the region.
Site variations at Cape Ann Camp Site: The campground has distinct differences between accommodation types. "We were tent camping and were very happy with our site... The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," notes a camper. Another adds: "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facilities range from basic to modern across different campgrounds. "Clean Bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents). The owners are very helpful," reports a Cape Ann visitor, while others note that some older facilities may not always be stocked or maintained to the same standard.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers multiple recreation options. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained," shares a visitor. The variety of amenities helps keep children entertained throughout your stay.
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities at state parks. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," notes a visitor to Harold Parker State Forest. These programs typically run weekends during peak season.
Beach camping with children: Salisbury Beach State Reservation is particularly family-friendly. "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!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
First-time family camping: For those new to camping with children, consider Camp Nihan Education Center. "We went camping here with our SpiralScout Circle, kids aged 4-8. 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. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Winter Island RV access: Beach Rose RV Park offers concrete pads with full hookups. "Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet," reports a visitor. The level sites make setup easier for larger rigs, though space is limited.
Boston-area RV options: For RVers wanting to visit Boston, Winter Island Park provides viable access points. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day. Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites!" warns an RVer.
Older RV parks with renovations: Several older facilities are upgrading infrastructure. "It's a 50 site campground and built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots. But for the money if you're from out of state it's cheaper than the state park down the street and it has full hook-ups with laundry, showers and a heated pool," notes a Beach Rose RV Park visitor.
Reservation timing: Secure spots well in advance, especially for summer weekends. "Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites!" advises a Winter Island Park visitor. Holiday weekends often book 6+ months in advance at popular campgrounds near North Reading.
