Best Tent Camping near Revere, MA
Coastal parks and public lands near Revere, Massachusetts offer several tent camping options within a short drive of the city. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, located in Hingham, provides tent-only sites on multiple islands including Peddocks, Lovells, Grape, and Bumpkin. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester, about 25 miles northeast of Revere, features wooded tent campsites in a natural setting. Camp Nihan Education Center, situated closer to Revere in Saugus, provides a more rustic tent camping experience adjacent to Breakheart Reservation.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Boston Harbor Islands open from June through Labor Day weekend and Cape Ann Camp Site available from May 15 to October 15. Primitive tent camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires careful planning as campers must bring all supplies, including drinking water for islands without potable water sources. Ferry transportation is required to reach the island campsites, with departures from either Long Wharf in Boston or Hingham. Walk-in tent sites at Camp Nihan feature recently renovated bathroom facilities but limited amenities. Cape Ann's tent sites include picnic tables, fire pits, and access to bathrooms with pay showers.
Tent campers visiting Boston Harbor Islands appreciate the unique experience despite logistical challenges. According to reviews, "Exploring the island was awesome. We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house." The islands offer opportunities for swimming, hiking rocky shorelines, and viewing Boston's skyline at sunset. At Cape Ann Camp Site, tent areas provide more seclusion than RV sections. One camper noted, "The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites." The wooded setting creates natural privacy between sites, with many featuring level ground suitable for tent setup. Camp Nihan combines accessibility with a backcountry feel, as one visitor described it as "a perfect blend of rugged and convenient" with terrain that makes it "feel like we were really in the woods" despite being close to parking areas.