Best Campgrounds near Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts and its surrounding coastal area feature several developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Winter Island Park provides oceanfront camping from May through October with tent, RV, and glamping sites just 2 miles from downtown Salem. Other options include Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester, offering wooded tent and RV camping plus cabins approximately 14 miles northeast of Salem. Harold Parker State Forest's Lorraine Park Campground provides a more forested camping experience with tent and RV sites about 15 miles northwest of Salem. The area's campgrounds generally accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering cabin rentals.
Camping seasons in this region typically run from May through September or October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Many sites require reservations, which become essential during Salem's popular October Halloween season when accommodations fill quickly. Winter Island Park in particular serves as a convenient base for exploring both Salem and Boston, with public transportation options available. Facilities vary across campgrounds, with most offering basic amenities like toilets, showers, and electric hookups. Cell service is generally good throughout the area. As one visitor noted, "We wanted to come to Salem for the Halloween season... I got our spots at Winter Island by repeatedly and obsessively hitting 'refresh' for two days straight, and it paid off."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Winter Island Park where ocean views and beach access are major draws. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views," mentioned one camper. While waterfront sites offer scenic views, they tend to have less privacy than more wooded campgrounds like Cape Ann or Harold Parker. Several visitors highlighted Winter Island's convenience for exploring Salem's historic attractions, with some mentioning wildlife encounters like skunks and raccoons at night. The campground's proximity to urban areas means sites generally lack the seclusion found in more remote camping areas, but provide excellent access to regional attractions including Salem's historic sites, Boston (accessible by ferry or commuter rail), and coastal activities.
