Best Campgrounds near Wakefield, MA

Campgrounds near Wakefield, Massachusetts span the coastal and forest regions of eastern Massachusetts, with established sites within a 30-minute drive radius. Lorraine Park Campground in Harold Parker State Forest offers tent and RV camping under towering pines, while Winter Island Park in Salem provides coastal camping options with water and electric hookups. Most area campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, with tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabin options available at locations like Camp Nihan Education Center and Spacious Skies Minute Man campground. The camping landscape includes both wooded state parks and beachfront options along the Massachusetts coast.

Camping seasons typically run from May through October, with most facilities closing during the winter months. The area experiences typical New England weather patterns with humid summers and cold winters. "The sites' privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size," noted one visitor to Harold Parker State Forest. Many campgrounds require reservations through Reserve America, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. Cell phone coverage varies throughout the region, with Verizon users reporting 1-3 bars at most locations. Several campgrounds enforce restrictions on alcohol consumption, as Massachusetts state parks typically prohibit alcohol in camping areas. Sites with water and electric hookups are available at most locations, though hookup options vary between campgrounds.

State park campgrounds in the region typically offer more natural settings compared to private camping resorts. Several campers highlight the convenience of accessing Boston attractions while still enjoying camping accommodations. One camper mentioned that Wompatuck State Park was "a beautiful place to spend a few summer days" with easy access to nearby beaches. The proximity to coastal areas allows visitors to combine camping with beach activities, especially at places like Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Winter Island Park. Sites near water tend to be the most popular and book quickly during summer months. Family-friendly amenities are common in the area's mixed-use campgrounds, with many offering playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails. Fall camping provides colorful foliage viewing opportunities with fewer crowds than summer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Wakefield, Massachusetts (85)

    1. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    32 Reviews
    North Reading, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 475-7972

    $17 - $35 / night

    "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."

    2. Winter Island Park

    14 Reviews
    Salem, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 745-9430

    $35 - $105 / night

    "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."

    3. Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    9 Reviews
    Bedford, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (781) 225-3953

    "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."

    4. Wompatuck State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Hingham, MA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 895-8245

    $17 - $23 / night

    "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."

    5. Camp Nihan Education Center

    2 Reviews
    Saugus, MA
    3 miles
    Website

    "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."

    6. Spacious Skies Minute Man

    28 Reviews
    Ayer, MA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 772-0042

    $39 - $999 / night

    "The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."

    "Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."

    7. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hull, MA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (781) 740-1605

    $8 - $55 / night

    "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."

    8. Cape Ann Camp Site

    16 Reviews
    Gloucester, MA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 283-8683

    $36 - $44 / night

    "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."

    9. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    25 Reviews
    Salisbury, MA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 462-4481

    $28 - $38 / night

    "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."

    10. Normandy Farms Campground

    39 Reviews
    Foxborough, MA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 673-2767

    $50 - $200 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Wakefield, MA

613 Reviews of 85 Wakefield Campgrounds


  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Beach Rose RV Park

    Nice park

    Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • S
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Cold Springs Camp Resort

    All Around Exceptional

    This place is just great! They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless. There are numerous pools and hot tubs, activities and the people that work there are just the nicest! Our kids were never scolded for being loud and neither were the adults. We have booked our return trip already and can't wait to go back!

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Cassie G.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Fun laid back place. This campground has a lot of potential. Some info on their website and Facebook isn’t accurate.

    I would like to share my experience this past weekend at Winding River in Exeter NH. My family of 3 Stayed at tent site 523 in the Oak area. We also had family at 553 and 554 and Cabin 2.

    About site 523: I clearly had one of the largest and most private tent sites. It was set back with a long driveway tucked between 522 and 524. It’s a very steep drop into the river making most sites a little nerve wracking with a little one. Online it said water available nearby. Most sites had a hookup but there wasn’t a one on my site. It looked like there may have been one to share on the road, but I didn’t end up needing to figure that out.

    Tent sites 522 and 524: Along with most of the tent sites these sites were very close to each other, much smaller and closer to the road. I wished my family members had gotten 552 and 553 as they blended together nicely if you are tenting in side by side spaces. The ground was very rocky making staking tents down difficult. They were right next to the bathroom which was convenient but loud. Ventilation in the bathroom was not good so the doors were propped open much of the time and loud hand dryers.

    Shower:

    • This is the smaller of the two bathrooms in the campground. There are 2 showers there. Each with a single insufficient curtain and no hooks on the wall or bench to place things down. Water was hot enough, pressure was ok if you set it to the high power massage-like setting.
    • The showers in other bathroom (near the town center area) had a door and two curtains. Some had hooks (some of which were broken). I almost tripped going in and out of these bathroom stalls because they are raised up but there is no marking on the ground to indicate that.

    Cabin 2: Ac worked well. There was a good sized bed downstairs, smaller beds in two lofts. I was surprised the couch didn’t pull out. Fridge and all dishes were nice and clean. All the cabins seem to have different back porch setups. This porch was smaller than C1. There was a propane grill that smelled rancid with sooo much caked on The burners. The location of the ceiling fan under the other lights in the ceiling gave them a flashing effect that really bothered me.

    Pros:

    • Lower price compared to other campgrounds (but I don’t feel like I got everything advertised on the website)
    • Two playgrounds, both were nice.
    • Water slide was fun
    • We arrived Thursday at the gate and were told how to get to our site, to set up and then come over to the office which was nice.

    Cons:

    • The river is very low and yucky so none of the boating or fishing advertised was possible. likely causing the massive amount of mosquitos.
    • The whole arcade building was was “out of order”
    • The laundry room had two washers (one was broken) and two dryers 2.50 each per load. Not sufficient for a campground this size (especially when people leave their clothes in the machine for 30 mins after they’re done!)
    • Camp store was poorly stocked (multiple empty coolers).
    • Ice $3 per SMALL bag.
    • Wood $10 per bundle and rules say you can’t bring from off-site. I saw people with huge metal bins of wood but was never offered that option when I payed for multiple bundles.
    • Camp store closes at 3 on Sunday and doesn’t open until 11 am during the week (which is also checkout). This made it a little confusing when I wanted to return the golf cart. They have a small area with icecream that is scooped and maybe a kitchen. I never saw it open but I think the sign said open morning to 12 and then again in the evening.
    • The pool was green and cloudy on day 3. I called the office and was told they had just shocked it and that was a result of the copper. I am not informed enough on pool safety so I opted out of swimming on the hottest day of our stay. My son was bummed.
    • Planned activities were only scheduled for Friday and Saturday, when online mentions “daily”. During adult kareoke there were plenty of kids and really poor wifi (wasting so much time between songs).

    And just to add:

    • Staff I encountered was friendly enough, but It would be nice if they wore shirts to identify themselves.
    • Golf cart was great, but cost more than the site per night.
    • Pedal go-carts were available for rent (I didn’t ask a price).
  • Rae Y.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Saddleback Campground

    Uncomfortable feeling for my girls

    I made everyone stay in the trailer every night , we just didn’t feel comfortable with our girls being out after dark. There was def a lot of questionable rif raf that were definitely on something and it was obvious that there were a few girls there that were working.   Always men working on vehicles.  Family will not go back. Don’t want my daughter around that

  • Savanna B.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Place is nice, can get loud

    It's a nice campground with a pool and hottub. The store is a little overpriced. Most of the staff is okay but there are some that are a little rude. It can get loud at times but it's mostly chill


Guide to Wakefield

Camping near Wakefield, Massachusetts, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground. Reviewers rave about the "great location with lake views, trails, etc." and the ease of launching kayaks from the shore.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming and kayaking at Wompatuck State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "You can take a trail from the campsite," making it easy to access the water.
  • Family Fun: Check out Normandy Farms Campground for activities like bike tracks and playgrounds. A happy camper mentioned, "It has so many things for the kids to do."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large, private sites at Greenfield State Park Campground. One long-time visitor said, "If you like large sites in a wooded setting with many private ones, this is the place."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers highlight the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at George Washington State Campground. A reviewer noted, "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: The welcoming vibe at Boston/Cape Cod KOA is a hit. One guest shared, "The staff and management are available to help."

What you should know:

  • Pet Policies: If you're bringing pets, be aware that some campgrounds have restrictions. For example, at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, pets are allowed on trails but not in the campground during peak season.
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier conditions on weekends. A camper at Greenfield State Park Campground mentioned, "The weekend was packed!"
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wompatuck State Park Campground, may not have markets or extensive facilities, so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Normandy Farms Campground, which offers tons of activities for kids. A parent said, "Everyone is so friendly."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. One reviewer at Minute Man Campground appreciated the "games and movies for campers to enjoy."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep the little ones happy. A camper at Salisbury Beach State Reservation mentioned, "Everything you need is right there."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Boston/Cape Cod KOA noted, "Some sites are packed right on top of each other."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Normandy Farms Campground suggested, "Bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations, especially at places like Bear Brook State Park Campground, which has a clean dump station available.

Camping near Wakefield, Massachusetts, has a lot to offer, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Wakefield?

While Wakefield itself has limited camping options, there are excellent campgrounds within a short drive. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest is highly recommended, offering wooded sites less than 25 miles north of Boston with ample on-site activities. Another great option is Hanscom AFB FamCamp, a wooded recreational camp that provides RV sites with hookups, secluded tent sites, and even a yurt. Though primarily for military families and retirees, it's worth checking eligibility if this applies to you.

What camping amenities are available in Wakefield?

The campgrounds near Wakefield offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Beach Rose RV Park provides clean facilities, a swimming pool, and is conveniently located near the beach. For those seeking a state park experience, Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers water and electricity hookups, which aren't always available at Massachusetts state parks. While site amenities vary by location, most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities like restrooms, with many offering water access, picnic tables, and fire rings.

How far is Wakefield from Hingham, MA?

Wakefield is approximately 25-30 miles from Hingham, MA, with driving time typically around 40-50 minutes depending on traffic conditions. If you're looking to camp near both locations, Wompatuck State Park Campground is conveniently located in Hingham itself, making it an excellent base for exploring both areas. Another option is Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, which is accessible from Hingham and offers a unique camping experience with both boat-in and drive-in access options.