Glamping in Tewksbury, Massachusetts offers diverse seasonal experiences with warm, humid summers reaching 85°F and cold winters dipping below freezing. Located at 115 feet above sea level in Middlesex County, the area's proximity to state parks and water bodies makes it a convenient base for outdoor recreation. Most glamping sites within 30 miles maintain seasonal operations from May through October.
What to do
Water activities: 1300-acre access: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation options on its expansive lake system. "This a 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 Matt R. about the water-centered camping experience.
Historical exploration: Revolutionary sites nearby: Hanscom AFB FamCamp connects campers to significant historical landmarks. "Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston," explains Caitlin B., highlighting the cultural aspects accessible from this military campground.
Mountain biking: Extensive trail network: Bear Brook State Park Campground features well-maintained riding paths through its 10,000-acre forest preserve. "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!" mentions Kimberly R., explaining the direct trail access from campsites.
Beach recreation: Tide pool exploration: Winter Island Park offers unique coastal features beyond standard beach activities. "The beach is interesting with some tide pools as well as sand and warm water. Life guards were paying attention," writes Lisa M., describing the varied oceanfront experience available just 25 miles from Tewksbury.
What campers like
Private waterfront views: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers premium lakeside sites that provide direct water access. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" shares J L. about these coveted camping spots that must be reserved months in advance.
Clean facilities: Multiple bathroom options: Cape Ann Camp Site maintains well-kept restrooms throughout the property. "Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites... Clean Bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents)," describes Della S., noting the reasonable shower costs.
Secluded wooded sites: The mature forest at Wakeda Campground creates natural separation between campsites. "Good laundry facilities. Our site was set up a little weird but we made it work," explains Ryan M. from Hanscom AFB FamCamp, highlighting the creative site configurations that provide privacy despite being in a developed campground.
Entertainment options: Seasonal activities keep campers engaged at many Tewksbury-area glamping sites. "The band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean," writes Sara D. about Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, describing unexpected entertainment opportunities during summer weekends.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites near Tewksbury require advance booking, especially for premium spots. "Book in advance here because it fills up quickly and there are very few RV sites!" advises Rae M. about Winter Island Park, emphasizing the limited availability of the most popular accommodations.
Seasonal operation: Winter Island Park and most area glamping locations close during winter months. "Winter Island is a beautiful campground in Salem,ma. We stayed 2times in the month of June and 1 time each in July and august," shares Candace H., indicating the peak summer operating season from May through October.
Mixed camping experiences: Each campground offers distinct accommodation types beyond traditional sites. "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," notes Marianne O. about Wakeda Campground, highlighting how proximity to amenities varies significantly between properties.
Wildlife encounters: Forested campgrounds around Tewksbury host various animals that may visit campsites. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," mentions Pawsfuradventure T. describing the natural encounters at Wakeda Campground, which operates from mid-May through early October.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers both water and land recreation for children. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained," reports Kristen L., highlighting the family amenities maintained throughout the camping season.
Beach safety: Supervised swimming: Winter Island Park maintains lifeguard-monitored beach areas during summer months. "Winters island is a beautiful campground in Salem,ma... the kids had a great time by the sea and the playground," explains Candace H., noting the child-friendly water access with appropriate supervision.
Organized activities: Family-oriented programming: Several glamping destinations offer structured entertainment for younger campers. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count," says Eammon C. about Bear Brook State Park, pointing out how outdoor recreation programs keep families engaged.
Space considerations: Site selection matters: Request larger sites when traveling with children to accommodate play equipment. "Our site was large enough for an 8 person tent, 4 person tent, EZ Up, and a pop up dog house for our pooch," reports Cynthia K. about her Winter Island Park experience, highlighting how site dimensions vary significantly.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check site layouts: Normandy Farms Campground offers premium RV sites with properly positioned connections. "Super long sites. Full hook ups," notes Jennifer H., emphasizing the spacious design that accommodates larger rigs with slideouts.
Utility quality: Power reliability: Consistent electrical service varies between campgrounds near Tewksbury. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," reports Zachary W. about Wakeda Campground, highlighting the stable hookups that prevent power issues during peak usage times.
Accessibility considerations: Campground roads and site approaches have varying degrees of maneuverability. "We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach. There was no parking at our site, but the parking lot was only 25 yards away so it was not an issue," explains Cynthia K. about Winter Island Park, noting important parking limitations.
Shower facilities: Coin operation common: Many campgrounds near Tewksbury require quarters for showers. "The bathrooms facilities were standard," mentions Rae M. about Winter Island Park, indicating the basic but functional nature of many camping amenities in the region.
