Camping options near Rowley, Massachusetts extend beyond the immediate vicinity to include inland forest campgrounds with wooded sites, providing a contrast to coastal options. Located within Essex County at approximately 50 feet above sea level, this area experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds close by mid-October, with some extending their season through Columbus Day weekend.
What to do
Beach activities: At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, visitors can enjoy swimming and fishing just steps from their campsite. "We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station," notes Meg T., who also mentions seeing wildlife: "while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull."
Paddling opportunities: The coastal waterways provide multiple paddling options. "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," says Nancy W. about the water access at Salisbury Beach. She advises caution: "Beware of tides and strong currents in these areas as they can make paddling difficult."
Historic explorations: The Salem area offers numerous historical attractions accessible from Winter Island Park. "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering. There's a trail around the park with markers, but they're not well maintained," reports Jean C.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Lorraine Park Campground in Harold Parker State Forest offers a contrast to beach camping with its forest setting. "Large sites. Clean bathroom. Good for families or couples," mentions Rebecca D., while Kelly F. notes, "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean."
Urban access: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby cities. Caitlin B. shares about Lorraine Park: "I actually camped here, while looking for apartments during my move to boston. It's about 45 min out of the city. Not too crowded, bathrooms and picnic tables. Trails around and several ponds."
Varied terrain: Cape Ann Camp Site offers unique features compared to other area campgrounds. "The camp ground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits. We were tent camping and were very happy with our site," reports Dan. Another camper mentions, "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc."
What you should know
Site proximity: Many campgrounds in the area feature closely spaced sites. At Beach Rose RV Park, "It's a 50 site campground and built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots. But for the money of your from out of state it's cheaper then the state park down the street and it has full hook-ups."
Reservation timing: Campgrounds in this region require advance planning, especially for summer visits. Kevin K. notes about Hampton Beach: "Reservations are usually made a year in advance."
Weather considerations: The coastal location means campers should prepare for wind. Daniel S. warns about Salisbury Beach: "be careful of your awning as it is very windy."
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality and shower costs vary significantly between campgrounds. At The Pines Camping Area, one reviewer noted, "Restrooms need some repairs at the pool," while at Cape Ann Camp Site, campers should know that "showers require payment with quarters."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Wakeda Campground offers several family amenities despite not having a pool. "They have shower bathrooms and some other amenities," says Daniel S., while Annette T. adds there's "miniature golf (fee)" available on site.
Beach proximity: For families wanting beach access, Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides convenient ocean proximity. Sara D. reports, "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!"
Activity options: Multiple campgrounds provide structured activities for children. At Winter Island Park, one camper mentions, "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike."
Bug protection: Don't underestimate insect preparation when camping with children. At The Pines, Heather B. warns, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utilities before selecting a site. At Black Bear Campground, Devan R. notes, "Wish we knew in advance how the hookups were layed out because it is way far away from where our hose would reach and we had to go out and buy an extension due to it being located at the end of the site."
Leveling considerations: Not all sites provide level surfaces for RVs. One camper observes about Black Bear, "Sites in my area not level."
Size accommodations: Many campgrounds can handle larger RVs but with varying site conditions. According to Nancy W. about Salisbury Beach, "Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem."
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical service quality matter to RVers. Michael P. reports about Black Bear: "Water pressure and power were good. No cable hookup."
