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Best Tent Camping near Peabody, MA

553 Reviews

Tent camping options within 30 miles of Peabody, Massachusetts include several established campgrounds with dedicated tent sites. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester offers wooded tent campsites with natural privacy barriers from May 15 to October 15. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground provides a unique tent camping experience on several islands accessible by ferry from Hingham or Boston, operating from June through Labor Day weekend. Camp Nihan Education Center features walk-in tent sites adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, offering a more rustic experience close to hiking trails.

Most tent campgrounds in the Peabody area feature basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets. Cape Ann's tent sites are set on natural terrain with some sites featuring level ground suitable for tent setup, while others may have uneven surfaces with tree roots. Boston Harbor Islands requires significant planning as tent campers must bring all supplies, including drinking water, via ferry. Composting toilets are available on the islands, but facilities are minimal. Campers should prepare for weather changes, particularly on the exposed harbor islands where wind can affect tent stability.

Tent-only areas often provide more seclusion than mixed-use campgrounds. According to reviews, Cape Ann's tent sites offer more privacy than their RV sections, with "sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private." One camper noted the campground is "full of beautiful boulders and fire pits" making it particularly appealing for tent camping. At Boston Harbor Islands, campers reported that despite the logistical challenges, the experience of "sitting on the beach watching the sunset over Boston" made the effort worthwhile. Camp Nihan receives praise for balancing accessibility with a wilderness feel, as one visitor described it as having "terrain rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods" despite being close to parking areas. Most primitive tent camping areas require reservations, particularly during summer months when backcountry tent camping is most popular.

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Best Tent Sites Near Peabody, Massachusetts (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Peabody, MA

18 Photos of 6 Peabody Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Peabody, MA

553 Reviews of 6 Peabody Campgrounds

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    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. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. 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. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Barretts Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Small campground near a small pond at Myles Standish

    This campsite loop at Myles Standish State Forest is closest to the headquarters and borders a small pond with beach. In addition to tent/RV sites, there are 3 yurts available with bunks. Sites that appear to be near the pond are pond view rather than pondside. Approaches to Yurt JC and J5, J 26, J27 are sloped. J14 is a little awkward. J33 is probably among the largest and nicest with a pond view. The sites aren't as large as those in the Charge Pond loops, but it's a smaller campground.

    The loop has flush toilets and showers. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided. Cell phone coverage throughout the forest is poor to absent; download maps for offline use if you want to be sure to know where you are or find directions. There are miles of bike trails and ponds for fishing, swimming, and boating. There's a larger beach and picnic area at College Pond.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

  • Anna C.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Red Ledge Rebel Shell Rain Pants at Pawtuckaway State Park

    *CAMPGROUND REVIEW*

    This campground is definitely a dazzler and I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake and I would definitely visit this spot again, especially with how accessible the campground is. There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip. Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit as an added bonus.

    Pros: 

    -Within a short driving distance from the Boston area 

    -Lakefront sites available 

    -Canoe and kayak rentals available 

    -Well stocked convenience store 

    -Reasonable cell reception

    Cons: 

     -Can get busy during peak camping times 

     -Some sites have a lack of privacy

    *PRODUCT REVIEW*

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. During this trip, I took out a pair of Red Ledge Rain Pants. While it didn’t rain during my camping stay (great from a camper perspective, not so great from a reviewer perspective), I was able to try out the general fit of the pants. They have a nice stretch fit to them and a certainly one of the more stylish options as far as rain pants go. As is true for most waterproof gear, they run on the warmer side and don’t have a ton of ventilation so they may not be the best choice for hotter weather. Although I didn’t get to test out the pants in a camping setting, I did wear them a few days ago while making the 1.5 km evacuation route trek from my apartment to the flood shelter during one of the biggest typhoons to make landfall in Japan. After about 25-30 mins of walking in record breaking-ly heavy rain, the pants started to saturate around the knees and the upper thigh area started to get a bit soggy. That being said, this is probably the most extreme possible test setting and they did hold up reasonably well. Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier but may not necessarily need the insulative warmth offered by actual snow pants.

    Pros: 

    -Stylish look 

     -Stretch fit 

     -Waterproof 

     Cons: 

     -Trap heat 

     -Not typhoon proof

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 18, 2020

    Willard Brook State Forest Campground

    Small forest campground best suited for tents and small trailers

    This small state forest campground in north/central Massachusetts is just up the hill from Damon Pond. I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area.  

    Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units. They are level and there's not a lot of brush between sites, so not much privacy either. I liked site 3 for a bit more privacy ; it's also one of the 3 sites designated for an RV. Site 11 is larger and can accommodate a larger unit.

    There is a large yurt suitable for 10 people. The yurt does offer electricity, but there are no hookups nor a dump station at the campground. There are flush toilets, but no showers. The small bathroom was under renovation autumn 2020. There is a dishwashing sink. 

    There are hiking trails in the area and, of course, swimming at the small pond. A nearby roadside waterfall offers another picnic area opportunity. For a longer hike, you can hike to and from Pearl Lake State Park. Fishing, mountain biking, and geocaching are other activities available. There's a parking lot closer to the beach or it's an easy walk from the campground.

    If you are from out of state, check fees carefully. In 2020 MA increased fees significantly in light of the pandemic. Prices are steep for what you get if you are out of state.

Guide to Peabody

Tent camping options near Peabody, Massachusetts range from coastal locations to urban-adjacent wilderness areas. The region sits within Massachusetts's North Shore area, characterized by rocky coastlines, salt marshes, and inland forests with mixed hardwood stands. Most campsites in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter availability due to New England's cold season and snowfall.

What to do

Beach exploration: Cape Ann Camp Site provides easy access to Good Harbor Beach. "Very close to a nice beach too," notes Lajaun C. Visitors appreciate the combination of woodland camping with coastal recreation just minutes away.

Hiking trails: Camp Nihan Education Center connects directly to Breakheart Reservation's extensive trail network. According to Michael V., "The camp is adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."

Island hopping: At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, campers can take advantage of inter-island ferries to visit multiple islands during their stay. One camper shared, "During the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore."

Historical exploration: While camping on Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor, visitors can investigate military fortifications. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails," reports Martha H.

What campers like

Natural privacy: Cape Ann's wooded tent sites offer seclusion that campers consistently praise. According to John S., the campground features "great sites with A LOT of space between them," while Della S. notes that "the RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites."

Sunset views: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground provides unique perspectives of the Boston skyline. A camper mentioned, "Sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it."

Woodland seclusion: Tent campers appreciate finding natural settings so close to urban areas. At Camp Nihan Education Center, Michael V. explains, "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."

Wildlife sightings: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. John S. mentions seeing "wild turkeys, deer, etc." at Cape Ann Camp Site.

What you should know

Seasonal operations: Most tent campgrounds near Peabody have limited operating seasons. Cape Ann Camp Site runs from May 15 to October 15, while Boston Harbor Islands State Park operates from June through Labor Day weekend only.

Shower situations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "Showers require payment with quarters," according to Ben E., while Della S. specifies it's "5 cents" per shower. Boston Harbor Islands has no shower facilities available.

Transportation logistics: Boston Harbor Islands camping requires advance planning for ferry transportation. "Getting to the island was a bit of a hassle. We took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium," explains Jess G.

Site variations: Even within the same campground, site quality can differ significantly. At Cape Ann Camp Site, Cristina P. reports, "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," though other reviews note some sites may be uneven or less private.

Tips for camping with families

Accessible wilderness: Military Park New Boston Air Force Station offers family-friendly camping with easy access. Shuang W. describes it as a "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"

Junior Ranger activities: Families camping at Boston Harbor Islands can participate in educational programs. A visitor shares, "While you're out on the islands, take time to explore one of the others... earn a Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service."

Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities for children. Michael V. mentions that Breakheart Reservation near Camp Nihan has "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty," making it suitable for families with young children.

Pack strategically: When visiting island campgrounds, consider using wheeled transport. One camper advises, "If you have a folding wagon, you may appreciate having it to carry items on and off the ferry and to your site on the island."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Cape Ann Camp Site, RV sites differ from tent areas. Della S. observes that "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," suggesting tent campers may enjoy more privacy.

Hookup details: Cape Ann Camp Site offers various utility connections. Lajaun C. explains, "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi," which helps RVers plan their camping setup appropriately.

Leveling considerations: The natural terrain at most campgrounds near Peabody requires attention to leveling. One Cape Ann camper mentioned having "a nice perfectly level site," indicating that site selection matters for comfortable RV parking.

Price expectations: Cost varies by hookup level at area campgrounds. Ben E. reports, "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," providing a benchmark for budget planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Peabody, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Peabody, MA is Cape Ann Camp Site with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Peabody, MA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Peabody, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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