Camping near Norwell, Massachusetts offers diverse sites in both state parks and private campgrounds within a 35-mile radius. The region features a mix of coastal and wooded terrain with moderate humidity during summer months when temperatures typically range from 70-85°F. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with water levels in ponds typically at their highest in spring and early summer.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Wompatuck State Park provides extensive trail systems for outdoor activities. "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," notes a visitor to Wompatuck State Park Campground.
Pond swimming and fishing: Many campgrounds feature freshwater ponds for recreation. At Peters Pond RV Resort, campers appreciate the natural swimming options. "We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing," reports one visitor who stayed in September when the campground was less crowded.
Beach access: Campgrounds near the coast offer easy beach trips. A camper at Beach Rose RV Park mentions, "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach. We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and grounds rank high with campers. A visitor at Pinewood Lodge Campground noted, "Very clean. Many restrictions for dogs. Coin operated showers. Nice lake. Close to cape cod."
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet owners appreciate designated areas for their animals. At Normandy Farms Campground, a camper highlighted, "This campground has a great dog park, pool, large pond," while another mentioned the dog park "has a dog washing station, water fountains for dogs and humans, agility-type obstacles for them to play on."
Proximity to attractions: Location matters to many campers seeking day trips. A Newport RV Park visitor commented, "This is a cute little campground that's easy to access. It's 20 minutes from downtown Newport and about 45 minutes to downtown Providence," making it ideal for exploring the region.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds have different density levels. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, one camper observed, "We were on S1, near a septic pipe & there was a severely nauseating, strong smell of sewage coming from it," while another noted, "Been here a few times. Not the greatest. If you like loud party's then this is the campground for you."
Seasonal timing matters: Most campgrounds reach peak capacity during summer. At Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground, a visitor advised, "I was here early in the season (May) and again late in the season (October). Not sure how crazy it gets in July and August."
Cell coverage inconsistent: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. One camper at Old Chatham Road RV Campground reported, "AT&T hotspot worked well even for zoom calls. Verizon on my phone a bit weak. Camp link Wifi costs extra but actually works well!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Choose sites with programming for children. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, a visitor shared, "As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground."
Swimming options: Pools provide alternatives to natural water bodies. A camper at Peters Pond RV Resort wrote, "Kids loved the little pool slide. Also enjoyed the golf cart rentals. The only disappointment was that they did not have a fire pit at the rented cabin that we were allowed to use."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds maintain stricter quiet hours than others. One Tuxbury Pond visitor reported, "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," while another noted the challenge of "loud, golf cart speedway for seasonal campers, smelly (sewer)."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Choose based on levelness and hookup quality. At Pinewood Lodge Campground, an RVer advised, "Site was level, staff was awesome. They do have a dog park and plenty of things to do. Didn't like that you have to pay for hot water though."
GPS navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have confusing entrances. A Tuxbury Pond 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."
Seasonal rate variations: Prices fluctuate substantially throughout the operating season. At Newport RV Park, a camper noted, "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. Sites offer electric hookups only."
