Camping spots near Somerset, Massachusetts span across southeastern Massachusetts and into Rhode Island, offering access to both inland forest environments and coastal camping experiences. The region sits at relatively low elevations, generally below 200 feet above sea level, which contributes to mild spring and fall temperatures but can create humid conditions during summer months. Tick activity tends to increase significantly from April through October, particularly at coastal locations.
What to do
Biking trails exploration: Massasoit State Park Campground offers exceptional biking opportunities for campers. "Best biking trails around! Campground is not currently open, but should be again by summer of 2018! In the meantime, perfect place for running, walking, hiking, biking, fishing, and exploring," notes Katie D. The park features both paved and mountain bike trails suitable for various skill levels.
Pond fishing: Massasoit State Park Campground maintains several fishing ponds where campers can try their luck. According to Lorie K., "lakes have great fishing." The ponds are stocked and accessible directly from the camping areas, making it convenient for anglers of all experience levels.
Beach activities: For those seeking coastal recreation, Horseneck Beach State Reservation provides direct beach access. "You are anywhere from 5 seconds to a 1 minute walk away from the beach. The smell of salty ocean air, and the sounds of the waves are a great way to relax," reports Kyle C. The beach offers swimming, beachcombing, and shell collecting opportunities.
Block Island ferry trip: Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground is strategically located for day trips. "Love the closeness to the ferry to block island, shops & restaurants," mentions Rae H. The ferry terminal is just minutes from the campground, allowing for convenient access to Block Island's beaches and hiking trails.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Newport RV Park (formerly Melville Ponds) receives consistent praise for its maintenance. Nick P. states, "You'll notice how clean and quiet it is right when you first arrive. Check in was under a minute; the staff already had everything prepared which made it super simple." Bathrooms and shower facilities are regularly maintained.
Dog-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds welcome pets, but Newport RV Park stands out for its specialized facilities. "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park," shares Ilana F. This makes it particularly attractive to campers traveling with four-legged companions.
Spacious sites: While site sizes vary considerably across the region, Charge Pond Campground at Myles Standish State Forest offers particularly generous sites. "The sites are large and shady but don't have water or electric. The bath houses are clean and accessible," according to Stephanie B. This provides more privacy than many other campgrounds in the area.
Natural surroundings: Many campgrounds maintain wooded settings that preserve the natural environment. Amie C. from Myles Standish State Forest reports, "We stayed in loop b south, which is really not a loop but a dead end. Very quiet, and we were the only people in the loop for a couple of days. Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Multiple campgrounds report significant tick issues, particularly those near coastal areas. At Horseneck Beach State Reservation, one camper noted, "The tick situation was just very difficult. We drowned ourselves in tick spray, but the ticks were overwhelming." Always perform regular tick checks and use appropriate repellents.
Alcohol regulations: Massachusetts state parks enforce strict alcohol prohibitions. "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed," explains Randy R. from Myles Standish State Forest. Private campgrounds typically permit alcohol consumption.
Non-resident fees: Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground applies substantial surcharges for out-of-state visitors. Lee D. shares, "Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! The rates for out-of-state campers are significantly more than for residents. I'm used to paying $5 or even $10 more for being from out of state but here the fee is double or more."
Reservation timing: The most desirable campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. For Horseneck Beach State Reservation, "the online reservation system requires a 2 night minimum, but calling the campground attendant can sometimes result in a one night reservation, especially early in the season when they're holding sites for last minute arrivals," advises Matt M.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA offers numerous structured children's programs. Amy G. reports, "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts." These organized activities provide entertainment beyond typical outdoor recreation.
Multiple swimming options: Campgrounds with swimming facilities offer welcome relief during hot summer days. Tara A. from Massasoit State Park Campground shares, "The boys had a blast swimming and kayaking at the pond and there was another comfort station right at the water."
Playground facilities: Most family-oriented campgrounds include playground equipment. According to Craig G. from Massasoit State Park, they "did a great job on everything. Nice sites, great playground for the kids." Playground areas provide recreational opportunities during downtime between other activities.
Site selection for privacy: For families seeking more seclusion, research specific loops or areas within larger campgrounds. At Canoe River Campground, Lynn F. advises, "I would have to say the only things on the negative end was the water was too low to fish/ way to many turtles and it seems like the sites were cut in half drastically reducing privacy. I will for sure be back but more picky about the sites I select."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. Brad B. from Newport RV Park cautions, "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back). Also, our site #215 was at the bottom of the hill, so it was a bit mucky."
Premium site advantages: Normandy Farms Campground offers tiered site options. Nancy W. explains, "There are plenty of sites to choose from the 'premium' full hook-up (50 amp) to basic with just water and electric and many others in between. Both back-in and pull thrus are available as are sites with shade and full sun. Premium sites have paved patios while other sites are gravel."
Tree sap concerns: Watch for potential tree sap issues in heavily wooded campgrounds. Michael J. from Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground warns, "Biggest negative was the trees can drop a lot of sap so be ready to wash your rig and vehicles as soon as you leave if it was a heavy sap time."
Shower access planning: In campgrounds with limited facilities, timing matters. Michelle C. from Newport RV Park notes, "If you're tent camping, the bathrooms are very inconvenient," highlighting the importance of considering bathroom proximity when selecting sites.
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