3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
South Carver, Massachusetts offers campgrounds ranging from state forest sites to private campgrounds within easy access of Cape Cod and the Boston area. Myles Standish State Forest offers multiple campground areas including Charge Pond, Fearing Pond, Curlew Pond, and Barretts Pond campgrounds, all supporting tent and RV camping without hookups. Private options include Jellystone Park Cranberry Acres and Boston/Cape Cod KOA in nearby Middleboro, which offer more amenities including cabin rentals and full RV hookups. The region encompasses both rustic forest camping and family-oriented campgrounds with activities and facilities.
Camping season in the South Carver region typically runs from mid-May through October, with a few facilities like Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground open year-round. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Water access at kettle ponds throughout Myles Standish State Forest provides swimming and fishing opportunities. Bathroom and shower facilities vary in quality and availability across different campgrounds. Cell phone coverage can be unreliable in parts of the forest. One camper noted, "Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots," making offline maps advisable for navigation around the extensive trail system.
The kettle ponds throughout Myles Standish State Forest represent a significant draw for campers seeking swimming and fishing opportunities. Several visitors highlighted the natural spring-fed ponds as standout features. According to reviews, weekends tend to bring larger crowds while weekdays offer more solitude. A reviewer observed, "Sunday and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves." Sites vary considerably in size, privacy, and shade coverage across the different camping areas. Campers frequently mention the extensive network of bike trails throughout the forest as a major attraction. For those seeking more amenities, the private campgrounds offer organized activities, particularly for families with children, though some reviews indicate these sites can feel more crowded with less natural spacing between campsites.
"My home away from home, I have been going to Myles Standish state forest to camp swim and critter catch since I was a little girl. Some of my fondest memories were made here."
"Good access to surrounding new England towns."
from $17 - $35 / night
"This is a busy campground due to its location . Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions."
"We selected this campground because of its proximity to family who we would be visiting. It was very convenient to Providence, Cape Cod, and Duxbury."
"I like this campground because it is close to home. There isn't much to do here within the campground. It has two areas. The one nearer the camp entrance is smaller than the second. "
"We have stayed here during our exploration around cape cod. It's a but farther away from the main location, but we loved the quiet and tranquility of this campground."
Available next weekend
from $17 - $55 / night
"We loved site 47 which was long and level with nice grass around it. The next site (46) was pretty close, but luckily nobody was in it while we visited."
"Very quiet place, beautiful sites nice fireplaces bathrooms are close by and clean. Don’t care for the coin operating showers. Nice camp store and lots of activities for the kids."
from $50 - $110 / night
"Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."
"We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $27 / night
"Bike path along the canal, easy access. Lots of playgrounds for different ages
Bounce pad (in-ground)
Pool
Stair access to canal bike path."
"Bourne Scenic Park is conveniently located near many of Cape Cod’s attractions including beaches, golf courses, historic landmarks, restaurants and shopping. "
from $70 / night
"The pond is walking distance with a little beach area, we would absolutely bring our kayaks next time we visit. Beautiful walking trails right outside of the camping area."
"The H loop entrance is closer to the Charge Pond loops and is higher above pond."
from $17 / night
"Because the map is deceptive when it comes to the locations and spacing of sites, I definitely recommend driving around and looking at the different areas if you have the opportunity."
"Awesome location for family’s lots of space and things to do friendly service."
from $17 / night
from $32 - $60 / night
ScoutAmazing amenities and activities here. Staff is great. Lots of room for big rigs. Tent spots are shady while other ones are sunnier. They have rentals such as log cabins/ A-frames to rent also. Hot tubs and pools too!
LegendI’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
GuideHard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.
- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
TravelerGood place to come for Halloween trick-or-treating for kids, lots of activities to keep you busy
GuideThis property is huge and the staff is very accommodating. Restrooms with showers are clean. And there is a pickleball court!
ScoutClose to town and beaches
GuideI can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!
GuideBest part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.
Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.
A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.
If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.
TravelerWe booked this campground, as well as 2 others, to see how we liked them to visit our daughter and granddaughter. We are in section 2, site 016. Small site, did not get level. Beautiful beaches and homes in the area.
Camping near South Carver, Massachusetts offers a mix of seasonal considerations and varied terrain across nearly 16,000 acres of protected forest land. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 82°F and moderate humidity levels, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for outdoor activities. Tent campers will find the kettle pond formations, created by glacial retreat approximately 10,000 years ago, provide unique swimming opportunities throughout the forest.
Cycling paths and trails: Myles Standish State Forest features extensive paved and unpaved biking trails connecting various camping areas and ponds. "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns," notes Mike M. about Charge Pond Campground. The network extends throughout the forest, though trail maps can be challenging to follow.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple kettle ponds provide excellent fishing spots with clear water visibility. A visitor at Fearing Pond Campground mentioned, "The pond is walking distance with a little beach area, we would absolutely bring our kayaks next time we visit." Many ponds contain species like bass, pickerel, and sunfish.
Winter camping options: Unlike most regional campgrounds that close after October, Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground remains open year-round. "We stayed here in October and it was a little too chilly for us to camp but we gave it a shot," reports Gina M., highlighting the extended season that allows for cold-weather camping experiences.
Midweek solitude: Many campers appreciate the dramatic difference in crowds between weekends and weekdays. "Sunday and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves," was noted about Myles Standish State Forest. Campers consistently report more privacy and quieter environments midweek.
Water access: The kettle ponds throughout the area provide clear, spring-fed swimming opportunities. At Pinewood Lodge Campground, one camper enjoyed "Great views from our site of the pond. There was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on."
Loop variety: Campground loops offer distinctly different experiences across the area. At Fearing Pond, Jean C. explains, "There are 2 Fearing Pond loops at Myles Standish State Forest, the H & I loops. The H loop entrance is closer to the Charge Pond loops and is higher above pond. This loop is better suited to the larger trailers/tents with more space."
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly across campgrounds. At Curlew Pond Campground, a camper reported, "The showers are clean and private but, unless I am just inept, they seem to have one temp setting (push button operation) and that setting is scalding hot." Other campgrounds charge for showers - "coin operated showers" are mentioned at Pinewood Lodge.
Site spacing concerns: While the area features extensive forest land, some campgrounds place sites very close together. "The sites are VERY close to each other with almost no privacy / trees to your left or right," noted a Curlew Pond camper. This varies widely by loop and specific campground.
Alcohol restrictions: Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol, unlike some private campgrounds in the area. At Charge Pond, Randy R. noted, "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."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. Massasoit State Park received this update: "renovations are cont. but what has been done so far is great. everything is new the playground is fantastic." Families with young children should check which campgrounds offer these amenities.
Seasonal activities: Private campgrounds like Boston/Cape Cod KOA offer structured programming for children during peak season. "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," shared Amy G.
Water safety considerations: Most kettle ponds lack lifeguards, so family supervision is essential. "Swimming, fishing, camping, hiking, trails, boating and more await," explains Katie D. about Myles Standish, but water activities require parental oversight and appropriate safety gear.
Dump station availability: Several state forest campgrounds lack sewer hookups but provide dump stations. "No hookups, but there is a dump station," notes one camper about Shawme Crowell. RVers should plan accordingly for longer stays.
Site leveling challenges: Many campers mention challenging terrain for RV leveling. At Bourne Scenic Park, one reviewer mentioned: "Leveling was not an issue for us in our site (C-25) but the majority of sites would be a problem for a motorhome to get level without the aid of blocks. In fact, some sites were ridiculously unlevel and took a scary amount of blocks."
Navigation difficulties: The forest roads and campground layouts can challenge larger rigs. At Fearing Pond, Jean C. explains: "many of the sites have awkward approaches and there is a large parking lot closer to the bathroom." Downloading offline maps is recommended for navigating these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near South Carver, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Carver, MA is Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
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