Camping sites near Topsfield, Massachusetts are predominantly seasonal, with most facilities operating from May through mid-October. The region experiences average summer temperatures around 80°F with typical New England humidity and occasional thunderstorms during camping season. Several campgrounds offer pay-per-use shower facilities requiring quarters, with rates ranging from 25 cents for 5 minutes to varying durations depending on the facility.
What to do
Beach access and swimming: Salisbury Beach State Reservation provides direct beach access with lifeguards on duty during summer months. "Beach Rose RV Park is about a mile from the beach. We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration: Winter Island Park in Salem serves as a convenient base for exploring North Shore history. "You can explore the beach, launch a boat (paddle or motor), catch a sunrise, or explore the remnants of Fort Pickering. There's a trail around the park with markers, but they're not well maintained," explains one camper.
Hiking and mountain biking: Wompatuck State Park features numerous trails ideal for both activities. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," states one review, while another mentions, "Wompatuck is a charming state park with numerous hidden trails known mostly to locals, making it ideal for low-traffic hiking, biking, and mushroom hunting."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest offers secluded sites. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," one camper observes. Another notes, "Nice wooded sites. Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site."
Military amenities: Hanscom AFB FamCamp provides accommodations for eligible military personnel. "The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB. Proximity to the base provides access to the base exchange and other facilities," explains one reviewer.
Oceanside setting: Cape Ann Camp Site offers coastal camping with wooded elements. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc." One visitor was particularly impressed with the setting: "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season, especially weekends. Many require advance planning through reservation systems.
Shower costs: Pay showers are common at regional campgrounds. "Showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," notes one camper at Cape Ann Camp Site.
Alcohol restrictions: State-operated campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. A Lorraine Park visitor specified: "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site."
Seasonal limitations: Wakeda Campground operates from "May 15 to October 1," which is typical for the region. Most campgrounds close by mid-autumn, limiting late-season options.
Wildlife encounters: Campers report seeing various wildlife throughout the region. "We saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," notes one visitor about Lorraine Park, while others mention raccoons and skunks at several locations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for beach proximity: Beach Rose RV Park offers family-friendly camping near Salisbury Beach. "Clean and friendly staff. Kid friendly," states one reviewer, while another notes it's "Cute little campground about a mile from the beach."
Consider weekday visits: For quieter experiences, avoid summer weekends when possible. "We will probably do a mid week trip next time to avoid the heavy traffic and large crowds," advises one visitor to Winter Island Park.
Check playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. One visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground noted, "The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!"
Plan for rainy days: New England weather can change rapidly. "It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well," reported a Lorraine Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have tight layouts, especially for larger rigs. "Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem," notes a visitor at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Hookup placement: Check hookup locations before selecting sites. "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric," reports one RVer at Salisbury Beach.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. At Winter Island Park, "the dump station is not on site; ask at the office about arrangements for this."
