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roy T.
Scout
ScoutCountry Barn Motel & Campground
Very appealing cabins
I stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
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 (92)
1. Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
32 ReviewsNorth Reading, MA8 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsSalem, MA10 milesWebsite+1 (978) 745-9430$60 / 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
11 ReviewsBedford, MA11 milesWebsite+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
42 ReviewsHingham, MA24 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsSaugus, MA3 milesWebsite"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
29 ReviewsAyer, MA24 milesWebsite+1 (978) 772-0042$44 - $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 ReviewsHull, MA16 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsGloucester, MA21 milesWebsite+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
27 ReviewsSalisbury, MA25 milesWebsite+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
40 ReviewsFoxborough, MA34 milesWebsite+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."
Recent Camping Photos near Wakefield, MA
273 Photos of 92 Wakefield Campgrounds
Michael V.
Camp Nihan Education Center
Todd G.
Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest
Alexander H.
Hanscom AFB FamCamp
Jean C.
Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
Della S.
Cape Ann Camp Site
Tim S.
Wompatuck State Park Campground
Martin B.
Spacious Skies Minute Man
Susanne V.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
The Dyrt
Tuxbury Pond RV Campground
Jake H.
Black Bear Campground
Jean C.
Tidewater Campground
Lisa H.
Winding River Campground
Recent Reviews near Wakefield, MA
628 Reviews of 92 Wakefield Campgrounds
Alizé B.ScoutField and Stream RV Park
Highly recommend
Amazing place and community, unfortunately very expensive.
Sue B.
RangerSalisbury Beach State Reservation
Love camping here!
The first time we camped here was on Columbus Day weekend a number of years ago, and we got to see seals sun bathing on the beach. Are kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! The sites are a little close together and many of them are in direct sunlight , so that isn't the greatest , but if you have an awning, you should be good. We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too. Write down the street from camp, there is a street setup almost like a boardwalk, with arcades, live music, ice cream, food, and a carousel! There is also a bigger beach, and you are one twin away from New Hampshire. Lots to see and do here!
DevinScoutWinding River Campground
Close Sites, Loved the River!
My husband and I had a great time here! We went early in the season, so there were not many people there. We met the new owners/managers and they were very friendly. David was attentive and very helpful!
We stayed in the Oak Section at 317. The sites are pretty close together, which is why I gave a 4. We didn’t have neighbors, but I can imagine on a busy weekend, it might get crowded. The Utilities at this site were in an awkward spot, compared to where we wanted the camper.
- DevinScout
Spacious Skies Minute Man
The Road is Loud
My husband and I had a great time here! The owners and managers are amazing. Kind, friendly, attentive! We really appreciated them!
The reason for the 4/5 is due to the road noise, and the neighbors noise. The residents that boarder the campground are a bit loud. We camped at spot 72. If you are tent camping, I would recommend not camping at the 70’s spots. It’s just close to the road, and it can get noisy at times. It quiets down at night, but during peak travel times is a little loud. Head to the back of the camp ground. The bathroom looks further away than it is, but everything is very convenient!
Adam B.RangerBeach Rose RV Park
Nice people
Needed a spot to dump. They were one of only a very few places open in March. $20 to dump our tanks.
- MMatthew L.Scout
Forest Glen
Forest Glenn campground
Forest Glenn campground is a very nice campground on Wheelwright pond in Lee New Hampshire! Not well kept up but makes you feel like you’re still camping and not glamping ( glamorous camping ) besides some of the very nice campers here with 2 stories on them! Anyway cutting to the chase, just to let any new comers know that are looking for camping in the Lee area if you so choose to camp at forest Glenn depending who you are or how you approach this place dictates if you will have to feel like your stepping on eggshells your entire stay… the owner is a angry Drunk who is sometimes very nice to others or very nasty, and I personally mostly see him being nasty. A couple years back I wanted to look at the campground to see if this would be a place I wanted to stay at so I walked into the office and asked them if we could look around and the lady was in the process of writing us a pass to drive through. This man comes in and said whats going on so I politely told him that we were interested in his campground and we wanted to look around. He completely flipped out said he doesn't understand, said his campground is his back yard, we can't allow this how would you like if I just walked around your back yard etc etc.... yelling at us the whole time and spitting while screaming and then told us to get out of his sight…. This place mind you is overrun by golf carts and I have heard of incidents where people get hit by them because who cares about the posted 5mph speed limitations if your in a golf carts right? Right! And CLEARLY this place is a Double standard place so you will not be treated equal… and as far as I know this place has secret people who camp supposedly working at camp like the manager and security and the plumber or electrician who look like their helping but while helping they gather information about you to spread it around to others or to cause problems with you and the owner!! Oh how thoughtful… one Morning I was in the office and the owner pulled me into the rec room to have a talk with me about my string lights suggesting I shut them off at night and I’m not allowed to use them anymore. I said “sir why would I do that there are 50 other sites with spot lights and string lights Who are these lights bothering that I need to take them down for? “ he said use them inside the trailer I don’t want to see them on again! “ now tell me how that makes any sense… so I shut them off and it became like a minefield on my site at night with no lights while the campers down a different street get to have theirs on. There is no privacy at this place, things keep going missing, and the sites are packed like sardines with no room for Jesus. There are also people staying here over winter and it’s a seasonal campground tell me how that makes any sense. Anyway definitely an experience to be at where drama hits too close to home and the golf cart parking spots are rolling a little to close to my feet. “ oh sorry my foot slipped “ #welp time to search for another place. Seems to be a trend with almost every campground. Angry owners who automatically cause problems or can’t run their own business place without drug addicts for help ( to say the least me and my wife WILL NOT BE COMING BACK )
- LLeeScout
Tuxbury Pond RV Campground
This camping trip truly exceeded my expectations
The campground was clean, peaceful, and surrounded by wide open views. During the day, the natural landscape felt refreshing and expansive, and at night, the sky was filled with stars, creating a calm and almost magical atmosphere. The layout of the campsite was well planned, making it easy and comfortable for both beginners and experienced campers to enjoy their stay. One fun thing I did after the trip was use Idea To Image to recreate some of the moments that stood out to me—sunrise over the tents, the warmth of the campfire, and the quiet starry night. It helped me turn those memories into beautiful visuals that really captured the peaceful vibe of the experience. Looking back at them now feels like being transported right back to the campsite. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking to slow down and reconnect with nature.
One fun thing I did after the trip was use Idea To Image to recreate some of the moments that stood out to me—sunrise over the tents, the warmth of the campfire, and the quiet starry night. It helped me turn those memories into beautiful visuals that really captured the peaceful vibe of the experience. Looking back at them now feels like being transported right back to the campsite. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking to slow down and reconnect with nature.
- Alexander H.
GuideHanscom AFB FamCamp
Nice Campground near Boston
This is a nice campground near historic Lexington and Boston.
Guide to Wakefield
Camping options near Wakefield, Massachusetts include a mix of state parks, military facilities, and private campgrounds within a 45-minute drive radius. Massachusetts camping season typically runs May through October, with most campgrounds experiencing seasonal closures during winter months. Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon users generally reporting consistent coverage at most locations within the area.
What to do
Explore military history: At Hanscom AFB FamCamp in Bedford, you're positioned perfectly for Revolutionary War sites. "Close to minute man historical sites- revolutionary war historical trails and Ranger Station. Not too far from Boston," notes one visitor. The base location provides convenient access to Lexington, Concord, and Walden Pond.
Paddle nearby waterways: Water access points are available at multiple campgrounds within 30 minutes of Wakefield. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There's also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching. Beware of tides and strong currents in these areas," advises a camper at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Bike the extensive trail networks: Wompatuck State Park Campground offers miles of biking trails for all skill levels. "God access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails," reports one visitor. The park contains numerous hidden trails known mainly to locals, making it ideal for low-traffic hiking and biking excursions.
What campers like
Beach proximity: Cape Ann Camp Site offers quick access to coastal areas. "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever," writes one camper. The campground provides a forested setting while maintaining close access to beaches and coastal towns.
Urban accessibility: Many campers appreciate the ability to combine outdoor recreation with urban experiences. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day," reports a visitor at Winter Island Park.
Off-season tranquility: Several campgrounds offer a completely different experience outside peak summer months. "Campground was great. Nice sites plenty of space and with a full park for the weekend you didn't feel on top of each other," notes a visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation. Fall camping provides fewer crowds while still offering comfortable temperatures and colorful foliage.
What you should know
Tent site variations: The region offers diverse tent camping experiences. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, "This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill." Island camping requires ferry transportation and advance planning.
Alcohol restrictions: Massachusetts state parks typically prohibit alcohol consumption in camping areas. One visitor to Lorraine Park Campground notes, "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site." Some private campgrounds have different policies, so check regulations before packing.
Non-resident pricing: Out-of-state visitors face significantly higher camping fees at state parks. One camper at Wompatuck shared: "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. Sites offer electric hookups only."
Shower facilities: Bathhouse quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Several campgrounds charge for shower use, with one Cape Ann Camp Site visitor noting: "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom." Bathroom maintenance schedules also differ between weekdays and weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Camp Nihan Education Center offers environmental programs in a convenient setting. "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," reports one visitor. The recently renovated facilities make this location particularly suitable for younger children.
Beach camping with amenities: Families appreciate campgrounds that combine beach access with facilities. "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 a visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities suitable for children. "We invited our friends to camp as well and it turned out wonderful. The kids had a great time by the sea and the playground. Their are wildlife like skunks, racoons do put food in car," notes a visitor to Winter Island Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Spacious Skies Minute Man offers full hookups with varying site layouts. "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!" reports one RV camper.
Site dimensions: RV sites at many campgrounds have limitations. "Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem," explains one camper at Salisbury Beach. Some campgrounds place electrical boxes in locations requiring extension cords, so pack accordingly.
Off-season reservations: For RVers, shoulder season offers better availability. "Limited sites available off season. Summer season early May through end October," notes a visitor to Hanscom AFB FamCamp. Most campgrounds begin taking reservations six months in advance, with many allowing online booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Wakefield?
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?
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?
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.
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