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Best Campgrounds near Reading, MA

637 Reviews

State forests and public parks near Reading, Massachusetts provide a range of camping options within a 30-mile radius of the city. Harold Parker State Forest, located in nearby Andover, features Lorraine Park Campground with spacious wooded sites suitable for tent camping and some RV access. Spacious Skies Minute Man in Littleton offers cabin accommodations along with tent and RV sites. Most campgrounds in the region are established facilities rather than dispersed camping areas, with amenities varying from basic to full-service hookups for recreational vehicles.

Camping in the Reading area operates seasonally, with most campgrounds open from May through September or October. Harold Parker State Forest's camping season runs from late May to early September, while Winter Island Park in Salem is available from May 1 to October 31. Many campgrounds require advance reservations through state booking systems or private operators. Bathroom and shower facilities are generally well-maintained throughout the region's campgrounds. As one camper noted about Harold Parker, "Some sites are very private and some are more suitable for a group to combine a couple together, bathrooms are cleaned a couple times a day, trails in the area are great."

The area's public campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their proximity to Boston while still providing a nature retreat experience. Campers particularly value the wooded settings and waterfront access at certain sites. Harold Parker State Forest earns praise for its spacious campsites, clean facilities, and network of hiking trails. According to one visitor, it's "less than 25 miles north of Boston and less than 5 miles from the interstate" yet "provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts coast." Most campgrounds in the region prohibit alcohol consumption, which is strictly enforced at state facilities. Many locations are family-friendly with playgrounds, sports courts, and swimming areas available during peak season, though capacity may be limited during busy weekends.

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Best Camping Sites Near Reading, Massachusetts (89)

    1. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    32 Reviews
    North Reading, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 475-7972

    $17 - $35 / night

    "north of Boston and <5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts"

    "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."

    2. Winter Island Park

    14 Reviews
    Salem, MA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 745-9430

    $35 - $105 / night

    "Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."

    "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."

    3. Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    9 Reviews
    Bedford, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (781) 225-3953

    "The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."

    "Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston."

    4. Spacious Skies Minute Man

    28 Reviews
    Ayer, MA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 772-0042

    $39 - $999 / night

    "We detached tow because we read interior roads narrow. Plus we wanted to site see. The roads are narrow but doable in our 37’ motorhome. Yes big rocks but it’s ok."

    "The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."

    5. Wompatuck State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Hingham, MA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 895-8245

    $17 - $23 / night

    "Ours (R002) was large, beautiful, and mostly surrounded by forest."

    "I chose a spot away from others and was glad I did. Behind me was nothing but quiet woods and a deer meandered through a couple times."

    6. Camp Nihan Education Center

    2 Reviews
    Saugus, MA
    5 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    25 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 462-4481

    $28 - $38 / night

    "However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."

    "The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."

    8. Cape Ann Camp Site

    16 Reviews
    Gloucester, MA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 283-8683

    $36 - $44 / night

    "Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you"

    "Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."

    9. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hull, MA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (781) 740-1605

    $8 - $55 / night

    "The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."

    "You may choose to leave from Long Wharf, near the Aquarium T stop on the Blue line, or from Hingham, with overnight parking available."

    10. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground

    14 Reviews
    South Hampton, NH
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"

    "entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."

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Recent Camping Photos near Reading, MA

312 Photos of 89 Reading Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Reading, MA

637 Reviews of 89 Reading Campgrounds

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Beach Rose RV Park

    Nice park

    Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • S
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Cold Springs Camp Resort

    All Around Exceptional

    This place is just great! They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless. There are numerous pools and hot tubs, activities and the people that work there are just the nicest! Our kids were never scolded for being loud and neither were the adults. We have booked our return trip already and can't wait to go back!

  • 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.

  • Cassie G.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Fun laid back place. This campground has a lot of potential. Some info on their website and Facebook isn’t accurate.

    I would like to share my experience this past weekend at Winding River in Exeter NH. My family of 3 Stayed at tent site 523 in the Oak area. We also had family at 553 and 554 and Cabin 2.

    About site 523: I clearly had one of the largest and most private tent sites. It was set back with a long driveway tucked between 522 and 524. It’s a very steep drop into the river making most sites a little nerve wracking with a little one. Online it said water available nearby. Most sites had a hookup but there wasn’t a one on my site. It looked like there may have been one to share on the road, but I didn’t end up needing to figure that out.

    Tent sites 522 and 524: Along with most of the tent sites these sites were very close to each other, much smaller and closer to the road. I wished my family members had gotten 552 and 553 as they blended together nicely if you are tenting in side by side spaces. The ground was very rocky making staking tents down difficult. They were right next to the bathroom which was convenient but loud. Ventilation in the bathroom was not good so the doors were propped open much of the time and loud hand dryers.

    Shower:

    • This is the smaller of the two bathrooms in the campground. There are 2 showers there. Each with a single insufficient curtain and no hooks on the wall or bench to place things down. Water was hot enough, pressure was ok if you set it to the high power massage-like setting.
    • The showers in other bathroom (near the town center area) had a door and two curtains. Some had hooks (some of which were broken). I almost tripped going in and out of these bathroom stalls because they are raised up but there is no marking on the ground to indicate that.

    Cabin 2: Ac worked well. There was a good sized bed downstairs, smaller beds in two lofts. I was surprised the couch didn’t pull out. Fridge and all dishes were nice and clean. All the cabins seem to have different back porch setups. This porch was smaller than C1. There was a propane grill that smelled rancid with sooo much caked on The burners. The location of the ceiling fan under the other lights in the ceiling gave them a flashing effect that really bothered me.

    Pros:

    • Lower price compared to other campgrounds (but I don’t feel like I got everything advertised on the website)
    • Two playgrounds, both were nice.
    • Water slide was fun
    • We arrived Thursday at the gate and were told how to get to our site, to set up and then come over to the office which was nice.

    Cons:

    • The river is very low and yucky so none of the boating or fishing advertised was possible. likely causing the massive amount of mosquitos.
    • The whole arcade building was was “out of order”
    • The laundry room had two washers (one was broken) and two dryers 2.50 each per load. Not sufficient for a campground this size (especially when people leave their clothes in the machine for 30 mins after they’re done!)
    • Camp store was poorly stocked (multiple empty coolers).
    • Ice $3 per SMALL bag.
    • Wood $10 per bundle and rules say you can’t bring from off-site. I saw people with huge metal bins of wood but was never offered that option when I payed for multiple bundles.
    • Camp store closes at 3 on Sunday and doesn’t open until 11 am during the week (which is also checkout). This made it a little confusing when I wanted to return the golf cart. They have a small area with icecream that is scooped and maybe a kitchen. I never saw it open but I think the sign said open morning to 12 and then again in the evening.
    • The pool was green and cloudy on day 3. I called the office and was told they had just shocked it and that was a result of the copper. I am not informed enough on pool safety so I opted out of swimming on the hottest day of our stay. My son was bummed.
    • Planned activities were only scheduled for Friday and Saturday, when online mentions “daily”. During adult kareoke there were plenty of kids and really poor wifi (wasting so much time between songs).

    And just to add:

    • Staff I encountered was friendly enough, but It would be nice if they wore shirts to identify themselves.
    • Golf cart was great, but cost more than the site per night.
    • Pedal go-carts were available for rent (I didn’t ask a price).
  • Rae Y.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Saddleback Campground

    Uncomfortable feeling for my girls

    I made everyone stay in the trailer every night , we just didn’t feel comfortable with our girls being out after dark. There was def a lot of questionable rif raf that were definitely on something and it was obvious that there were a few girls there that were working.   Always men working on vehicles.  Family will not go back. Don’t want my daughter around that

  • Savanna B.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Place is nice, can get loud

    It's a nice campground with a pool and hottub. The store is a little overpriced. Most of the staff is okay but there are some that are a little rude. It can get loud at times but it's mostly chill

Guide to Reading

Camping near Reading, MA, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground. Reviewers love the "great location with lake views, trails, etc." and mention that it's easy to launch a kayak from the shore.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming and kayaking at Wompatuck State Park Campground. Campers appreciate the "large family beach on the lake" and the chance to see wildlife while hiking.
  • Family Fun: Check out Normandy Farms Campground for activities like bike tracks and crafts. One visitor noted, "It has so many things for the kids to do."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Greenfield State Park Campground rave about the "large sites in a wooded setting with many private ones." This makes it a great choice for those seeking a bit of solitude.
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors to George Washington State Campground highlight the "very clean bathrooms & hot showers," which add to the overall comfort of their stay.
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers at Bear Brook State Park Campground appreciate the "friendly check-in folks" and the welcoming vibe of the campground.

What you should know:

  • Pet Policies: If you're bringing a furry friend, be aware that Pawtuckaway State Park Campground allows leashed pets only on hiking trails and not in the campground or beach area during the summer.
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier conditions on weekends at places like Greenfield State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The weekend was packed!" so plan accordingly if you prefer a quieter experience.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wompatuck State Park Campground, may not have markets or extensive amenities, so bring your own supplies.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds like Normandy Farms Campground that offer a variety of activities. A reviewer mentioned, "Everyone is so friendly," making it a welcoming spot for families.
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites, such as Greenfield State Park Campground, where "all sites are very private." This allows kids to play without being too close to neighbors.
  • Plan for Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially near water. Campers at Bear Brook State Park Campground noted, "There are more mosquitoes than we experienced further north."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure to verify the size of your site before booking. A visitor at Boston/Cape Cod KOA mentioned that some sites are "packed right on top of each other," which can be uncomfortable for larger rigs.
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: If you're staying at places like Normandy Farms Campground, be prepared for uneven sites. One reviewer advised, "Bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Use campgrounds like Boston/Cape Cod KOA as a base to explore Boston and Cape Cod. A camper noted, "Great place to use as a base to explore Cape Cod and Eastern MA."

Camping around Reading, MA, offers a mix of nature, fun, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Reading, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Reading, MA is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.

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