Camping sites near Tewksbury, Massachusetts range from secluded wooded tent sites to full-service RV parks with concrete pads. The eastern Massachusetts location sits at approximately 100 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities close between mid-October and early May, with nighttime temperatures often requiring proper cold-weather gear during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Access ponds and waterways at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, located about 40 minutes north of Tewksbury. "This is a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," notes one visitor.
Beach access: For ocean swimming within an hour's drive, Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides direct shoreline camping. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!" reports one camper.
Historical exploration: The region offers significant Revolutionary War history sites. From Hanscom AFB FamCamp, military families can explore nearby landmarks. "Proximity to the base provides access to the base exchange and other facilities, but the quiet location is a recreational retreat... In the immediate vicinity are the villages of Lexington and Concord as well as the Minute Man National Park and Walden Pond."
What campers like
Urban proximity: Many campers appreciate the ability to visit Boston while maintaining a campsite base. According to one Winter Island Park visitor, "This is one of two campgrounds located <25 miles from Boston with good commute options into the city. If you choose to drive, beware that traffic is a nightmare and parking expensive, but if you have a group that may price out to be less expensive than the commuter rail."
Waterfront sites: Lakefront camping creates memorable experiences. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" notes a Pawtuckaway State Park camper. Many waterfront sites throughout the region require reservations months in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out in reviews for most area facilities. At Wompatuck State Park, located about an hour from Tewksbury, one camper reported, "Sites are more secluded than other camp grounds but can be a bit small. Bathrooms are nice and dumpsters available for trash."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Nearly all campgrounds in the area require advance booking, particularly for weekend stays. Spacious Skies Minute Man frequently reaches capacity during summer months. "Site seems level for the most part, made of gravel. Heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU. Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!"
Weather considerations: Spring camping often encounters wet conditions. One Pawtuckaway camper shared their experience: "In 2013, site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with an unexpected 36 hour downpour and there was only one suitable spot for our tent since the terrain is very rocky. After a few hours of constant rain I realized the water runoff from the road above and the driveway all ended up flowing right under our tent into the lake."
Non-resident pricing: Massachusetts state parks charge significantly more for out-of-state visitors. "For out-of-state visitors, the cost might not be justifiable, with rates of $17-23 per night for in-state visitors and $60 for out of staters," notes one Wompatuck State Park camper. Budget accordingly or consider private campgrounds where rates don't vary by residence.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters: Family camping offers wildlife viewing opportunities with proper precautions. At Winter Island Park, campers should "enjoy the beach and exploring. We camped in tents and loved this campground. The restrooms were very clean and being cleaned constantly. The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks. Also there's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there."
Activity options: Camp Nihan Education Center provides family-friendly hiking and swimming. "We went camping here with our SpiralScout Circle, kids aged 4-8. 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. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy."
Seasonal considerations: For summer family camping, seek sites with shade options. Temperatures frequently reach the 80s with high humidity levels. "Winters island is a beautiful campground in Salem, MA. Each site has a grill and shade. You can bring your pets and campfires need to be off the ground," notes a family who camped there multiple times during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout across regional campgrounds. At Beach Rose RV Park, "It's a 50 site campground and built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots. But for the money if you're from out of state it's cheaper than the state park down the street and it has full hook-ups with laundry, showers and a heated pool when the ocean is colder than you want."
Access considerations: Navigation challenges exist at some facilities. One camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground noted, "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks near Tewksbury operate from early May to mid-October. Winter Island Park runs "May 1 to October 31" according to its information, while Beach Rose RV Park extends slightly longer from "Apr 1 - Nov 15," offering more shoulder season flexibility for RVers.
