Camping options within 30 miles of Stoughton, Massachusetts range from basic tent sites to upscale accommodations. The area features multiple campgrounds nestled around kettle ponds and recreational lakes, with most open from April through October. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, making it ideal for water activities at the numerous ponds that characterize this glacially-formed landscape.
What to do
Explore Plymouth's historical sites: Campers at Pinewood Lodge Campground can easily access Plymouth's rich colonial history. "Nice and quiet, here for a 3 night stay," notes one visitor, who also mentioned the campground's dog park facilities.
Visit Gillette Stadium: Located approximately 5 miles from Hanscom AFB FamCamp, this military-only campground provides a convenient base for sports enthusiasts. "Lovely campground. Clean, good WiFi. Kind campers," reports one visitor who appreciated the convenient location.
Kayak on kettle ponds: The spring-fed ponds at Charge Pond Campground offer clear water perfect for paddling. "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds," observed one camper who enjoyed multiple water activities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campsites prioritize cleanliness, particularly Winter Island Park, where "The park has a full time bathroom attendant from 8 AM to 8 PM, so restrooms and showers were well kept."
Well-spaced sites: Visitors appreciate the layout at most campgrounds, with one camper noting about George Washington State Campground: "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
Beach access: Many area campgrounds feature water access, with one camper at Winter Island Park explaining: "Being so close to the beach had its pros and cons. The pros were the great view, easy put in for our kayaks, and convenience for fishing and trail walking."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially for glamping close to Stoughton, Massachusetts. For Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "Reservations open 6 months in advance and sites fill quickly, so plan ahead if you're counting on a particular day."
Transportation logistics: Getting to island camping locations requires planning. At Boston Harbor Islands, "The trickiest part, not least because they don't make the inter-island ferry schedule as readily accessible," according to one reviewer who detailed the complete ferry process.
Alcohol restrictions: Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. One camper at Charge Pond Campground noted: "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks."
Shower facilities: Expect coin-operated showers at some locations. At Charge Pond Campground, bathhouses are available but "Ours, unfortunately, did not have hot water. We were told if we wanted it, we could go to any of the other loops."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Campgrounds with robust children's programs provide built-in entertainment. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, "My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts."
Beach options: For families seeking swimming opportunities, Ellis-Haven offers "a very nice beach on the pond, with lots of docks and rafts to swim out to. They also rent paddle boats."
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds have nocturnal visitors. One Winter Island Park camper cautioned about "the visits from raccoons and skunks at night (scavenging the food left by the beachgoers)."
Site selection: Choose sites based on specific family needs. At Myles Standish State Forest, "Some locations offer less space between campsites, some more. The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs."
Tips from RVers
Premium site selection: At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, one experienced RVer advised: "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay... I did not take my own advice and I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to."
Check-in efficiency: Some larger campgrounds have complex arrival procedures. A visitor to Myles Standish noted: "The check in process was a little challenging. We arrived later in the day and had hoped to get our pop up set up by dark, but the check in process took almost 30 mins."
Dump station locations: Not all facilities have on-site dump stations. At Winter Island Park, "the dump station is not on site; ask at the office about arrangements for this."
