RV parks near Swansea, Massachusetts provide convenient bases for exploring southeastern New England's coastal attractions. The area experiences humid continental climate with average summer temperatures around 80°F and winter lows near 20°F. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with limited options available during winter months due to freezing temperatures and potential snow accumulation.
What to do
Beach access: Melville Ponds Campground in Portsmouth sits just 20 minutes from popular ocean beaches. "We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). We wanted to spend time sightseeing," notes a camper at Newport RV Park.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds connect to local trail systems. "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," reports a visitor to Melville Ponds Campground.
Kayaking opportunities: Water access for paddling is available at some locations. "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water," shares a camper who stayed at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many rv parks near Swansea offer comfortable camping spaces. "The distance between sites was far enough that you did not feel cramped or on top of your neighbor," explains a reviewer at Newport RV Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathrooms and shower house are located in the middle of the park and were very clean," notes one camper about Melville Ponds Campground.
Fishing access: Many campgrounds provide opportunities for anglers. "We fished, hiked, swam, crabbed and had awesome camp fires. We could of lived off of the land if so inclined," shares a visitor at Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region close during winter months. "The park is open from April 15th to November 15th. Prices vary depending on the season, if you have a weekly/monthly rate, and the type of hook-ups you want," explains a reviewer at Newport RV Park.
Variable site terrain: Prepare for uneven ground at some locations. "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)," warns a camper at Newport RV Park.
Limited amenities at some parks: Smaller facilities may lack full services. "This is a very crowded mobile home park that has a few motorhome/RV sites. No amenities such as shower or toilets," notes a visitor to Meadowlark RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly recreation: Some campgrounds offer dedicated activities for children. At Peters Pond RV Resort, "Kids loved the little pool slide. Also enjoyed the golf cart rentals," mentions one family.
Check noise levels: Quieter campgrounds provide better family experiences. "We stayed in the premium pull through sites here. The whole campground is gorgeous. You'll notice how clean and quiet it is right when you first arrive," shares a visitor to Newport RV Park.
Consider accessibility: Some facilities require more walking than others. "Heavily treed and shaded campground, extremely large to walk from front to back. Had good kids crafts," notes a camper at Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling preparation: Bring adequate leveling equipment for uneven sites. "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel," explains a reviewer at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Plan for sewer access: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Only 6 sites with Electric and Water. No Dump or Shower/restrooms. Dump station located at Newport RV Park 5 minutes up the road for $20 charge," reports a visitor to Carr Point Recreation Facility.
Watch for site surface conditions: Different ground materials affect camping comfort. "Take note of grass and course gravel pad material if that's important," advises a camper at Newport RV Park.