Camping options near Salisbury, Massachusetts extend beyond the luxury glamping sites mentioned previously. The area sits at the northeastern edge of Massachusetts where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating diverse wetland habitats ideal for wildlife viewing. Winter temperatures average 20-30°F while summer months range from 70-85°F, making May through September the prime camping season for most visitors.
What to do
Beach access: 10-15 minutes from camp: At Wakeda Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to coastal recreation. "Its a nice no frills campground... The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too," notes Kris S.
Hiking trails with wildlife viewing: The area offers several trail systems with opportunities to spot local fauna. One camper at Wakeda reported, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird. It would have been great if they offered a nature trail in the campground since the forest was so beautiful."
Water activities on calm ponds: Pawtuckaway State Park offers excellent paddling options. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," explains Matt R.
Golf and camping combination: For those who enjoy both camping and golf, some local options combine both activities. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, visitors can access "golf cart rentals" and a "pro shop" with "9 or 18 holes" available directly from their campsite.
What campers like
Wooded campsites with privacy: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort (formerly Shel-Al Campground) offers well-maintained wooded sites. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well," according to Rebecca S.
Proximity to historical sites: Winter Island Park provides easy access to historical attractions. As one camper noted, "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering."
Seasonal entertainment and activities: Winding River Campground schedules regular events during peak season. One visitor shared, "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great and there were great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music to name a few."
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers appreciate the attention to detail at local campgrounds. A visitor to Sea Coast commented, "The laundry was very nice, clean and had big front-loading machines. Check-in was super easy and fast. All the staff were very nice."
What you should know
Reservations essential during peak times: Especially for waterfront sites, booking ahead is crucial. At Pawtuckaway, campers advise, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!"
GPS accuracy issues: Some navigation systems may misdirect travelers. A camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground warned, "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."
Seasonal restrictions for pets: Several parks limit pet access during busy months. One reviewer noted, "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Pay showers at some locations: While glamping in Salisbury, Massachusetts typically includes modern bathrooms, some nearby campgrounds charge for showers. A visitor to Cape Ann Camp Site mentioned, "Campground is clean but very rustic. Facilites are on the old side. Great beach access and friendly staff."
Tips for camping with families
Lakefront sites for easy swimming access: At Bear Brook State Park, families can find ideal spots for water activities. "I was in site 38 and found that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit... This site backed onto an open field with a backstop for baseball/softball. It meant that I could enjoy the the sunny warmth on an otherwise cool morning."
Playground proximity considerations: Campgrounds often have play areas, but consider noise. One camper advised, "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Multiple pool options: While luxury glamping in the Salisbury area offers private amenities, public campgrounds typically provide shared facilities. A visitor to Winding River noted, "The pool was green and cloudy on day 3. I called the office and was told they had just shocked it... I opted out of swimming on the hottest day of our stay."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer learning experiences. At Bear Brook, families can "check out the antique snowmobile museum and the Civilian Conservation Corp(CCC) museum. The CCC built much of the infrastructure here and elsewhere in the country."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: At Winter Island Park, RVers should understand site configurations. "Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance. Tent sites tend to be grassy, but not all offer parking on site, so choose carefully."
Limited dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. At Winter Island Park, "the dump station is not on site; ask at the office about arrangements for this."
Seasonal camper atmosphere: Some campgrounds have many long-term residents. A camper at Tuxbury Pond observed, "This is a Thousand Trails Campground... There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you. It's a great base for sightseeing."
Utility placement challenges: Some older campgrounds have awkward hookup layouts. One RVer noted, "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
