The Boston Harbor area offers a blend of coastal marshes and forested areas for campers looking to escape city life without venturing far. At just 4-10 feet above sea level, the Waverley area experiences typical New England seasonal shifts with humid summers reaching 80°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Coastal camping options stay open primarily from May through October, with most yurt accommodations shutting down after Columbus Day.
What to do
Bird watching opportunities: Winter Island Park provides excellent shoreline bird watching along its rocky beaches. "There's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there," notes one visitor who enjoyed the coastal setting and wildlife viewing options.
Historical explorations: Military history buffs can explore old fortifications at several locations near Waverley. "Pawtuckaway State Park Campground has excellent hiking, beach, wildlife-filled wetlands, girding, geology, forests, and water to enjoy. Pretty serious trail up and around some mountains, to a fire tower, ponds," writes a reviewer who appreciated the diverse activities.
Water activities: Paddle sports remain popular at many sites, with rentals available seasonally. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" mentions a camper who visited Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
What campers like
Military family accessibility: Hanscom AFB FamCamp offers special accommodations for service members. "We enjoyed our stay at Hanscom, loved staying right across from a runway!!! We loved watching planes come and go! The campground is clean and well maintained, and the staff is delightful!" writes a military family member.
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds provide structured activities for all ages. "Cape Ann Camp Site is beautiful. The staff is awesome. Very helpful. The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome," notes a satisfied camper who enjoyed the resort-style amenities.
Beach access: Proximity to beaches rates high on visitor lists. "Cape Anne is beautiful. 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 could walk for ever," shares a visitor who enjoyed combining camping with beach time.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for premium sites, especially waterfront locations. "You can see why it is a destination park for some people as their kids would be busy all day," notes a visitor to Normandy Farms Campground, adding that "the huge dog park which has a dog washing station, water fountains for dogs and humans, agility-type obstacles for them to play on, dog kennels, and a bin with balls and Frisbees" makes it especially popular.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate May through October, with reduced services in shoulder seasons. "Winter glamping options remain limited, with most yurt rentals closing after the fall season," according to local camping authorities.
Transportation considerations: Ferry schedules can complicate island yurt camping near Waverley. "Getting to the island was a bit of a hassle. We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry (which was in itself lovely and explained much of the harbor on the way) to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells," explains a camper who found the logistics challenging but worthwhile.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: George Washington State Campground offers diverse family activities within easy reach of Waverley. "ThIs is a lovely campground with a beautiful beach, new pay shower and bathrooms. We enjoyed swimming and fishing," notes a family who appreciated the clean facilities.
Weather preparation: New England's unpredictable weather requires packing for multiple conditions. "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. Our site was large enough for an 8 person tent, 4 person tent, EZ Up, and a pop up dog house for our pooch," shares a camper who came prepared for various weather scenarios.
Entertainment backup plans: For rainy days, consider campgrounds with indoor facilities. "This is a nice campground with multiple site type options. Staff and Management are available to help. This is a busy campground due to its location. Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions," writes a visitor who appreciated having options for all weather conditions.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site selection: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers varying site quality depending on season and location. "Our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together. There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you. It's a great base for sightseeing," advises an RVer who found it convenient for exploring the greater Boston area.
Utility availability: Water and electrical hookups vary significantly between campgrounds near Waverley. "Good laundry facilities. Our site was set up a little weird but we made it work," notes an RV camper at Hanscom AFB FamCamp who appreciated the clean facilities despite some quirks.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow entry roads or tight turns. "We wanted to explore the Cape and are members of the KOA rewards program so we chose here to stay. The staff were very nice and helpful. They had a big store and plenty of supplies and souvenirs, from sweatshirts to stickers," mentions a reviewer who found the Boston/Cape Cod KOA accessible and well-stocked.