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Campgrounds near Swampscott, Massachusetts span coastal and woodland settings within easy reach of Boston and the North Shore, ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV areas. Winter Island Park in Salem, just 3 miles from Swampscott, offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups and water access from May through October. Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest, located about 15 miles northwest, features wooded sites with water spigots and select electric hookups. The region includes several state parks and private campgrounds accommodating various camping styles, including cabin rentals at Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester.
Massachusetts state parks maintain strict regulations, including no-alcohol policies at all state-operated campgrounds. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with limited year-round options. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when coastal sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms, though shower availability varies by location. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting 3-4 bars on major carriers. A camper noted, "If you're looking for privacy and quiet, this isn't the place for you. However, you can't beat the location and it's a great place to go with a group."
The proximity to beaches and historical sites represents a significant draw for campers in the Swampscott area. Winter Island Park provides convenient access to Salem's attractions, while Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers oceanfront camping about 30 miles north. Several visitors mentioned the benefit of using these campgrounds as base camps for exploring coastal towns and historical sites. Campers report that sites at Harold Parker State Forest offer good separation from neighbors and peaceful surroundings despite being close to urban areas. A review highlighted that "Less than 25 miles north of Boston and less than 5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts coast north of Boston."
"north of Boston and <5 miles from the interstate, Lorraine Park campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides ample on-site activities and also serves as a jumping off point for exploring the Massachusetts"
"You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus."
from $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Many of the RV sites are located in the main parking lot; others are in a field just to the right of the entrance."
"We drove 3-1/2 days from Idaho to get to a COVID testing site which would take non MA residents and turn the results around under 48 hours. We needed quiet camping and not have it cost a fortune."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"Ours (R002) was large, beautiful, and mostly surrounded by forest."
"I chose a spot away from others and was glad I did. Behind me was nothing but quiet woods and a deer meandered through a couple times."
from $17 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you"
"Beautiful campsite, nice sized sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private. Bathrooms and showers well maintained, 25 cents for 5 minute shower."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability"The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
"You may choose to leave from Long Wharf, near the Aquarium T stop on the Blue line, or from Hingham, with overnight parking available."
from $8 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
"However, you can’t beat the location and it’s a great place to go with a group."
"The feel here is electric, and positive. Lots of RV’s that stay here all summer long. Feels like you are in a tight-knit community, very friendly folks, packed tightly together."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston."
"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
"Kids had enough driving for the day so we had to stop. We called last min and were thankful they had a spot. Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating."
"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities. That being said it was very nice and felt safe."
from $50 - $200 / night
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GuideWe stayed at site 81, it was near the entrance and right on the pond! The sites were spacious, so it was easy to maneuver our 21 ft travel trailer. The camp bathrooms were across from our site, they weren’t terrible but could use a bit of cleaning!
ScoutLong review from a long-term camper, but if you’re considering staying here, it’s worth the read so you know what you’re paying for. My husband and I have stayed here for the past three years, and this year has been, without question, the worst experience we’ve had. We prepaid for a 6-month stay, expecting a quiet, well-managed campground. Instead, we’ve dealt with inconsistency, poor communication, and management that seems focused on the wrong priorities. Before the campground was even fully open, we came to prepare our camper because there were already other campers on the property. While we were there, a woman repeatedly followed us around and watched us before finally approaching us. Rather than treating us like returning guests who have stayed here for years, we were made to feel like we didn’t belong and were questioned as if we were trespassing or trying to live here for free. Ironically, people who don’t even pay to stay here regularly park on the property to use the lake without anyone questioning them. Apparently, paying customers receive more scrutiny than people who aren’t customers at all. Because of that interaction, we were told we couldn’t return for weeks. When we were finally allowed back, our electricity hadn’t even been turned on, and we had to wait while no one seemed particularly concerned about getting it working. Then, completely out of the blue, we were told we had a past-due balance that had supposedly existed all along. At no point were we ever notified. No phone call. No email. No letter. No conversation. Yet somehow we were expected to fix a problem we didn’t even know existed. Meanwhile, the issues that actually affect paying guests continue to be ignored. On weekends and almost every holiday, large groups takes over the campground with 20+ tents, blasting music well into the night and early morning with absolutely no respect for the people who actually pay to stay here. They spread out wherever they want, take over common areas, and even park in front of occupied campsites to the point that we’ve had trouble getting into our own site. Even worse, people were plugging into our electrical service without permission, causing our camper to repeatedly short circuit. We eventually had to install a lock on our own electrical box because management did nothing to stop it after it was brought to their attention. That’s what makes this so frustrating. Management seems incredibly quick to police long-term residents over minor issues, yet has no problem looking the other way while other people take over the campground, block campsites, disturb everyone around them, use utilities they aren’t paying for, damage property, and ignore every basic campground rule. The former management understood that people who spend thousands of dollars to stay here deserve a safe, enjoyable, and well-managed campground. Rules were enforced. Problems were addressed. Paying guests mattered. Now it feels like the people causing the problems face no consequences, while the people paying to be here are the ones expected to tolerate them. I also wouldn’t recommend this campground for families. The“playground” looks like it hasn’t been properly maintained in a very long time and honestly looks like it could earn a child a tetanus shot instead of a fun afternoon. The basketball hoop has been broken, and the laundry area is tucked behind some of the dirtiest bathrooms on the property, surrounded by overgrown grass. None of it reflects the kind of campground this used to be. It’s disappointing because this campground had so much potential and used to be a place we genuinely enjoyed returning to every year. Unfortunately, poor management and a complete lack of consistency have changed that. If you are looking for a campground, there are way better options in the surrounding area with better amenities and better people.
TravelerPublished rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
TravelerWe had a great stay at Indianhead Resort! The management was wonderful and very helpful. The sites were very spacious and private, which made it feel relaxing and comfortable for our family. The playgrounds are a little older, but our two-year-old absolutely loved the swings and had a great time. Overall, it was a great family-friendly campground experience!
ScoutThis is a really great campground. However, the cell service is terrible. I do have Wi-Fi, but it is very weak. I would count on having to use Starlink.
GuideI was lucky enough to score one of the waterfront spots for one night of my stay. I backed in and opened the rear doors of my campervan and just stared at the ocean view for hours. Spectacular!
LegendWe visited in early June and really appreciated the shade at our site as the temps rose into the mid-80’s. There are lots of tall pine trees but are trimmed back and not a problem getting or big-rig through the park or in our site. 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. Our patio area was fairly large with no other sites next to it, just a road. We chose a 50A/water pull thru site and the electric was good at 124 volts on each leg. Honey wagon service is quite expensive at $35/pump out, or you can use the dump station for free. We used the campground cable tv and got about 60 stations, included the major stations (local news was out of Boston). This was a good thing since the trees blocked our Dish receiver from getting any channels. The wifi was 2.4G and just o.k. You could surf the internet but definitely not strong enough to stream. I went to the lodge and got great wifi speed to download movies quickly.
The campground is gated and charges$15/day for visitors. There are lots of amenities. There is a good access to a small lake (with a canoe/kayak launch and rentals), fishing pier (for catch and release, no license required), ice cream stand, food truck, playground, a large dog park (with two runs), laundry, playground, horseshoes, etc. The campground is conveniently to the downtown Plymouth attractions (10 minutes) and a grocery store (2 miles).
The biggest downside was the dust since most of the roads are gravel. It was very dry during our visit and the dust was crazy. Another negative was the $5/day pet fee. There are restrictions as to where you can walk your pets in the campground and they are not allowed on the beach. There is a good size dog park with two runs. If you dog is afraid of gunshots, do not come here as there is a gun range nearby that is pretty loud.
LegendThis campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites able to accommodate all size RV’s. One of the best aspects of this campground is the close proximity to downtown Provincetown which is only a half mile away. We loved walking to town for shopping and restaurants especially since parking is very expensive($20-40/day). We camped in “the field” section which has long, level, full hook-up, back in sites. Note: other sections in the park are much closer together. The field is fairly open with some trees along the back edge and a few scattered in the sites but non that would interfere with satellite reception or backing in. We stayed in F9 which was a great site! Our patio was a large, open grassy area. The site was gravel and all hookups were well-placed. (The other site we really liked was F4.) We got 12 over-the-air television stations and our Verizon phone and hotspot worked well. They do have wifi which worked pretty well for surfing the internet.
There isn’t much in the way of amenities except bath houses and a small store. Everyone who worked there was very nice and friendly.
There is lots to do in the area and you are very close to Cape Cod National Seashore which we loved for hiking, biking, and hanging out at the beach. The Province Land visitor center is worth the time as we enjoyed the films and exhibits. There was a red fox family who had a den under the visitor center that we loved watching. Also, visit the lifesaving station nearby– very interesting and informative and they do live demonstrations of drills. Truro Winery (about 10 minutes away) is a fun place to stop and enjoy wine and food outside.
ScoutI stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
Seasonal camping opportunities near Swampscott, Massachusetts extend beyond basic overnight stays to multi-week summer experiences. The North Shore region features varied terrain, with coastal saltmarsh ecosystems and inland forest settings both within 15 miles of Swampscott. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with occasional humidity spikes affecting camping comfort levels, especially in July and August.
Beach access: At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, campers enjoy direct oceanfront access and diverse water activities. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There is also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching," shared a visitor who noted the tides and currents can make paddling challenging.
History exploration: The region offers numerous historical attractions accessible from campgrounds. From Winter Island Park, visitors can explore Fort Pickering remnants. "There's a trail around the park with markers, but they're not well maintained. Stay here if you want to be near the water or explore the region," notes a camper who visited in 2020.
Biking trails: Forest campgrounds provide access to extensive trail networks. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," mentions one visitor about Wompatuck State Park, where paved and dirt paths accommodate cyclists of various skill levels.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Lorraine Park Campground. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," wrote a satisfied camper who gave the location a 5-star rating.
Urban proximity: The ability to quickly access Boston while enjoying nature ranks highly for visitors. "Charming! I actually camped here, while looking for apartments during my move to boston. It's about 45 min out of the city. Not too crowded, bathrooms and picnic tables. Trails around and several ponds," shared a camper at Lorraine Park.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Cape Ann Camp Site, visitors reported seeing "wild turkeys, deer, etc." The campground features "beautiful boulders and fire pits" with tent sites that received particular praise from visitors.
Reservation requirements: Most North Shore campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites!" advised a camper at Winter Island Park, where oceanfront sites are particularly sought after.
Payment systems: Some facilities require specific payment methods for amenities. At several campgrounds, "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom," while others include shower access in the site fee.
Weather considerations: The coastal location affects camping conditions. A visitor to Boston Harbor Islands State Park noted, "In mid-August we collected handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks," highlighting how seasonal timing impacts the camping experience.
Site privacy variations: Many campgrounds have a mix of private and more exposed sites. "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," noted a camper at Cape Ann, while another observed, "The sites' privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose."
Indoor activity options: Ponkapoag Camp provides alternatives for rainy days. "The kids can hang out in the clubhouse if it's raining or swim in the pond if it's hot. Lots of hiking trails," mentioned a repeat visitor who considers this location a family favorite.
Beach safety: Families appreciate the supervised swimming areas available at some locations. "Life guards were paying attention. The camp grounds are quiet and there are big curious ground hogs," noted a visitor to Winter Island Park, highlighting the combination of natural interest and safety features.
Transportation planning: When camping with children near urban areas, consider public transit options. At Wompatuck State Park, families are roughly 25 miles from Boston, with commuter rail access requiring some advance planning for family outings.
Hookup availability: Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers full service options for qualified users. "Our site was set up a little weird but we made it work," noted an RVer, while another mentioned "Good laundry facilities" as a particular advantage for longer stays.
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully when booking RV sites, as configurations vary widely between campgrounds. "The sites are wide open so getting satellite is possible. We were able to get plenty of antenna channels and had a strong Verizon phone signal," reported an RVer at Salisbury Beach State Reservation, where cellular connectivity is generally strong.
Leveling requirements: The terrain at many North Shore campgrounds requires preparation. "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," shared a visitor to Cape Ann Camp Site, though others noted some sites require significant adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at camping sites near Swampscott?
Campgrounds near Swampscott offer varying amenities. Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury provides a clean facility with a swimming pool and is conveniently located near the beach. Salisbury Beach State Reservation features site pads that make leveling easy and includes water and electricity hookups—amenities not always available at Massachusetts state parks. Other area campgrounds typically offer basic facilities like restrooms and picnic tables, while some provide additional features such as pond access for swimming and fishing, hiking trails, and shower facilities. Most Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, even at your campsite.
Where are the best campgrounds near Swampscott, MA?
For camping near Swampscott, Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest is less than 25 miles away, offering wooded sites and serving as an excellent base for exploring the Massachusetts coast north of Boston. Another great option is Hanscom AFB FamCamp, a wooded recreational camp for military families and retirees featuring RV sites with hookups and secluded tent sites. For those willing to travel a bit farther, Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers oceanfront camping, and Wompatuck State Park provides a convenient natural escape close to the city.
Which is the most popular campground near Swampscott, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Swampscott, MA is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
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