The North Reading area offers several camping options within a 40-mile radius, with most sites open from May through mid-October. Located in the northeastern Massachusetts region at about 98 feet above sea level, the area experiences typical New England weather patterns with humid summers averaging 80°F and cooler fall temperatures in the 50-60°F range. Yurt camping near North Reading provides an elevated camping experience with more structure than tents while maintaining proximity to outdoor recreation.
What to do
Hiking trails at Bear Brook State Park: With over 10,000 acres of forest preserve, this park offers extensive trail systems for day hiking while camping. One visitor noted, "Numerous trails call out of exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found" at Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Water activities at Pawtuckaway State Park: Located within an hour's drive of North Reading, this park features excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities on the lake. "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," according to one camper at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Explore Salem's historic sites: When staying at Winter Island Park, visitors can easily access Salem's cultural attractions. "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering. There's a trail around the park with markers, but they're not well maintained."
What campers like
Beach access at Winter Island Park: The oceanfront setting provides immediate water access. One camper shared, "Being so close to the beach had its pros and cons. The pros were the great view, easy put in for our kayaks, and convenience for fishing and trail walking."
Wooded tent sites at Cape Ann Camp Site: The natural setting creates a peaceful atmosphere. A visitor mentioned, "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. We had a fire ring which was filled with ash," while another commented that "Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites" at Cape Ann Camp Site.
Proximity to Boston from Hanscom AFB FamCamp: For military families, this campground offers a strategic base for city exploration. "We enjoyed our stay at Hanscom, loved staying right across from a runway!!! We loved watching planes come and go!" noted one reviewer at Hanscom AFB FamCamp.
What you should know
Shower facilities vary widely: Prepare for different bathroom setups at various campgrounds. At Cape Ann, "Clean Bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents)," while Pawtuckaway had a different system as "The closest bath/shower was well kept, with four bathroom stalls and the one huge shower, I imagine that the wait times in the summer months might be a hassle."
Wildlife encounters are common: Be prepared for various animal visitors at campsites. "We ended up leaving earlier than planned to avoid another night with the skunk activity," reported a camper, while another mentioned, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird."
Yurt camping costs and availability: For those interested in yurt camping near North Reading, options exist at several locations with varying price points. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "The yurts on Peddocks are great, providing shelter from the elements, bunks with mattresses, electricity, a ceiling fan, table with benches, and a grill."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. One camper at Winter Island Park noted, "Winters island is a beautiful campground in Salem, ma. The kids had a great time by the sea and the playground."
Swimming options for hot days: Multiple parks feature swimming areas of varying sizes. At Wakeda Campground, "The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too."
Family-friendly activities year-round: Some campgrounds organize special events. "We spent 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," shared one visitor about Normandy Farms.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup availability: RV campsites offer various levels of service across campgrounds. A visitor to Tuxbury Pond mentioned, "We stayed here for a week, our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together."
Laundry facility quality: Facilities for extended stays can be hit-or-miss. One camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground reported, "After staying for a week and needing to do laundry I was very disappointed in the laundry room. Very run down and needs a good cleaning."
GPS navigation challenges: Some campgrounds can be difficult to locate with standard navigation apps. A visitor warned, "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance."
