Camping options near Rockport, Massachusetts extend beyond the immediate area, with additional sites available within an hour's drive. The North Shore region features a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and RV resorts operating from April through October. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing, making camping impractical during colder months when most facilities close.
What to do
Beach activities at Salisbury Beach State Reservation: Located 30 minutes north of Rockport, this popular campground offers immediate beach access for swimming, fishing, and waterfront relaxation. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There is also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching," notes one camper at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Explore historic coastal towns: The campgrounds around Rockport provide convenient access to notable New England coastal communities. "Salem offers plenty of sightseeing options, including the National Park Service Salem Maritime NHS, the House of 7 Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum. Farther afield, the seacoast towns are worth exploring and you can catch a whale watch out of Gloucester," mentions a visitor to Winter Island Park.
Forest hiking and biking: For campers seeking wooded terrain rather than coastal experiences, several campgrounds offer trail networks. "Plenty 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," reports a camper about Harold Parker State Forest.
What campers like
Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers at campgrounds in the region often encounter local wildlife. "We loved watching the baby field mice play in the marsh land," notes a camper at The Pines Camping Area. Another visitor at Cape Ann Camp Site reports, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird."
Seasonal beach atmosphere: The region offers distinct camping experiences depending on when you visit. "Camping on the oceanfront was a rare treat! We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach," writes one Winter Island Park visitor. Another notes that Hampton Beach State Park Campground provides "classic NE style summer camping. Also classic NE style, it's packed in the summers. We caught the tail end of the season last year and the beach was super peaceful and much quieter than in high season."
Accessible day trips: Many campers appreciate the strategic location for exploring New England. "If you want to take a day trip to Maine you're a two hour drive away. Boston is an hour, Salem is also an hour. Many options around you if you feel like taking day trips," shares a visitor from The Pines Camping Area.
What you should know
Price differences for out-of-state visitors: State parks in the region typically charge significantly higher fees for non-residents. "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," reports a camper at Wompatuck State Park Campground.
Variable shower facilities: Shower conditions and payment requirements differ across campgrounds. Several campgrounds require quarters for showers. According to a camper at Beach Rose RV Park, "Showers are not free, but for a the money you get plenty of time to shower off."
Campground location verification: GPS directions can be unreliable for some campgrounds in the area. "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," warns a camper about Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activity options: Many campgrounds feature family-friendly amenities. "Winters island is a beautiful campground in Salem. The kids had a great time by the sea and the playground. It's one of my daughters favorite summer activities this year," shares a visitor from Wakeda Campground.
Wildlife education opportunities: Family campers report enjoyable nature experiences. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," notes a visitor at Harold Parker State Forest.
Beware of insects: The coastal and marshy terrain around Rockport can produce significant insect activity. "The con of this camp ground was the misquote, we went through 3 deep woods cans in just the first night. They were crazy and kids were eaten alive," cautions a camper at The Pines Camping Area.
Tips from RVers
Hookup accessibility: RV campers should carefully verify hookup configurations before booking. "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric and since the ground was hard packed sand we were able to do that," reports an RV camper at Salisbury Beach.
Maneuverability considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads or tight sites. "Sites 1-15 line the Hampton River and are back-in; sites 16+ are inside and pull-throughs. Neither one is far from the water!" advises an RV camper at Hampton Beach State Park.
