Camping sites near West Newbury, Massachusetts range from wooded state parks to coastal campgrounds within 30 miles of town. Located in Essex County at just 120 feet above sea level, this region experiences mild summers with average temperatures of 75-85°F from June through August. Winter camping isn't practical with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through March.
What to do
Mountain biking on designated trails: Pawtuckaway State Park offers excellent biking options that connect directly to camping areas. "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails! Will def be coming back," shares one visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Golfing between camping sessions: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with golfing. The campground features a 9 or 18-hole golf course with cart rentals available. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," notes a camper at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Beachfront camping with swimming: Winter Island Park provides direct ocean access with a public beach area. "The beach was beautiful and enjoyed walking on the larger rocks. Also there's a beautiful lighthouse and some history plaques there," reports a visitor to Winter Island Park.
Historical exploration: Salem Maritime National Historic Site is just a short distance from camping options. "Salem offers plenty of sightseeing options, including the National Park Service Salem Maritime NHS, the House of 7 Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum," explains a reviewer about day trips from nearby campgrounds.
What campers like
Privacy level varies between sites: Campgrounds offer different levels of seclusion, with some providing more private spots than others. "Our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together," notes a camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of bathroom facilities. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. Wifi service was excellent," reports a visitor to Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort.
Varied terrain with unique landscapes: Some glamping sites near West Newbury feature distinctive natural settings. "Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites," shares a camper at Cape Ann Camp Site.
Seasonal amenities: Many campgrounds operate seasonal pools and recreational facilities. "The pool was open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!" notes a visitor about their summer experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: During peak summer months (July-August), advance bookings are essential. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" advises a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
GPS directions may be unreliable: Some campgrounds have issues with mapping apps. "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance," warns a camper about navigation challenges.
Seasonal camping limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October. "The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet. There are some spectacular views of the lake and mountains from many sites," notes a visitor describing early May conditions.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have significant variation between sites. "Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others," advises a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity considerations: When booking with kids, site location relative to play areas matters. "We were on S1, near a septic pipe & there was a severely nauseating, strong smell of sewage coming from it; we went to the front desk the next day & asked to move to S5," shares a family at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground about their site relocation experience.
Entertainment options vary widely: Family activities differ between campgrounds. "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," notes a visitor to Winter Island Park.
Campground-sponsored activities: Some venues organize regular events for younger guests. "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great," reports a family at Winding River Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds feature opportunities for wildlife viewing. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," shares a family about their nature encounters while camping.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "Unfortunately, I can't give high marks to our campsite. The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer," advises an RV camper about site layout issues.
Utility access varies: Hookup locations and availability differ significantly between campgrounds. "Our site (#124) was one of the new sites which they had just completed. It was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level," shares a reviewer about recently upgraded RV facilities.
Quiet hours enforcement: RV campers note varying levels of quiet time rules. "Not the greatest. If you like loud party's then this is the campground for you," warns one visitor about noise levels at certain venues.
Seasonal camper concentration: Some campgrounds have high percentages of seasonal residents. "Mostly seasonal, overpriced. Transients are treated like unwanted step children," notes one traveler describing their experience at a predominantly seasonal campground.
