Camping options near Shrewsbury, Massachusetts range across central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, with most facilities open from April through October due to the region's cold winters. The area sits at approximately 640 feet above sea level, with terrain that varies from relatively flat in the east to increasingly hilly in the western reaches. Temperature fluctuations can be significant, with summer highs averaging in the 80s and rapid cooling after sunset.
What to do
Fishing access: 5 miles from Shrewsbury. Pine Acres Family Camping Resort offers great fishing opportunities on their pond. "Beautiful clean campground! Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim. Camp store is great, fun fishing on the lake and tons of activities for the kids," notes one visitor.
Golf courses: Available at select campgrounds. Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with golfing. "Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents. Plenty of tent sites. On site general store with grill. Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house," writes one camper. The 9-hole course allows for quick rounds without consuming an entire day.
Historical sites: 30-40 minutes away. Spacious Skies Minute Man provides access to Revolutionary War sites. "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord so spend a morning in this special city," shares a recent visitor.
What campers like
Spacious dog parks: Fully fenced. Many campgrounds feature dedicated pet areas. "The huge dog park which has a dog washing station, water fountains for dogs and humans, agility-type obstacles for them to play on, dog kennels, and a bin with balls and Frisbees," highlights one camper about Normandy Farms Campground.
Beach swimming: Sand areas available. Pine Lake RV Resort maintains beach access, while Pine Acres Family Camping Resort offers both pools and beach swimming. "Pool and splash pad along with sandy beach," reports one reviewer, with another adding, "hiking trails and even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water."
Seasonal activities: Themed weekends. Many campgrounds organize special events. "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities," writes a Normandy Farms visitor, noting that planned activities happen regularly throughout the camping season.
What you should know
Wi-Fi limitations: Variable by location. Cell service varies widely, and campground Wi-Fi can be spotty. "Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls," mentions one camper about Thousand Trails Sturbridge. If remote work is necessary, verify connectivity before booking.
Infrastructure issues: Electrical systems. Some older campgrounds have outdated electrical systems. "The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips," warns a Douglas Forest visitor.
Site positioning: Many close-together sites. Campgrounds in the region often maximize space. "Sites are a bit on the smaller side and not very private. Great location to see some of the historical sites in the area," notes one Minute Man visitor, reflecting a common situation in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple pool types available. Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts offers swimming facilities. "The 'Olympic size pool' was not filled at the time but it did not effect our stay at all, there was a smaller pool for those who wanted to cool off," notes one visitor, showing the importance of confirming pool status before arrival.
Activity scheduling: Age-appropriate options. Normandy Farms offers structured programming. "What really sets this place apart is the location. You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical," describes one family, highlighting how natural surroundings complement organized activities.
Budget considerations: Additional costs. Pine Acres has numerous activities that cost extra. "They have everything from go-kart/kayak rentals to mini-golf/arcade, but it all costs extra on top of the camp ground being pretty pricey, @80$/night for a tent site," cautions a reviewer, suggesting budgeting for these extras when planning.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Road layouts. Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park can present maneuvering difficulties. "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," explains one RVer, highlighting the importance of confirming hookup locations.
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks. Many sites in the region require substantial leveling. "The site had very long grass, bare rock and mud. It was not a site we would have wanted to stay on any longer than the one night," notes a Woodmore visitor, suggesting bringing extra leveling equipment.
Premium sites: Paved options available. Some campgrounds offer upgraded sites with better surfaces. "We chose a paved full hook-up pull thru with paved patio. Our site was easy to navigate in and out of and was definitely big rig-friendly with ample space for our motorhome and tow car," reports a Normandy Farms camper, showing the value of researching site surfaces before arrival.
