Camping in Massachusetts
By Alex Murphy
Massachusetts is one of the most historic places in the country and played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States. Visitors to major cities like Boston can still see this history while enjoying other amenities the state has to offer, like famous beaches near Cape Cod or forests covering the majority of the state, especially in the western parts.
For great camping in Massachusetts and exploring this quintessential New England state, here's a look at all the Bay State has to offer.
See a map of all camping in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts State Parks
Massachusetts State Parks includes about 30 different campgrounds with many other nearby parks to check out for day-use.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation has one of the most popular beaches in the state, which makes this one of the most popular Massachusetts Campgrounds. Visitors can stay a short hike away from the ocean just south of the New Hampshire state line.
Wompatuck State Park, at nearly 3,500 acres, is another essential place to camp in the state. The park has hundreds of campgrounds and spots for both tent camping and RV sites. With miles and miles of trails, the park is great for hikers and those who want to go for a paddle in a nearby reservoir.
National Parks in Massachusetts
With the exception of the Red Sox, Cape Cod National Seashore is probably one of the state's best-known attractions. Anyone looking for camping in Massachusetts should check out several campsites close to the ocean and Cape Cod Bay.
Visitors can stay at the tip of the cape at Race Point ORV Beach Camping and enjoy everything the beach has to offer.
Several nearby campgrounds can accommodate the high demand of tourists, especially in the summer season, including the Atlantic Oaks Campground.
Free Camping in Massachusetts
Free camping in Massachusetts can be tough to find. The best options are found just outside the state in neighboring spots like Connecticut and Vermont.
Connecticut offers stops like Willington Rest Area East, while Vermont can be a little more unique with overnight parking available at places like Vermont Distillers.
RV Parks in Massachusetts
RV Parks in Massachusetts can be a great way to see Massachusetts' more popular attractions.
For instance, there are some RV campgrounds just outside the city of Boston. This includes Boston Minuteman Campground in Littleton and Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro, also home to Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots.
Further south, Cape Cod also has plenty of campgrounds and RV spots, including Shady Knoll Campground, close to beaches and biking trails.
National Forests in Massachusetts
The National Forest Service does not manage any land in Massachusetts; however, there are quite a few state forests. Miles Standish State Forest is near the historic town of Plymouth, known as the original home of the Pilgrims, and the forest is not far from Boston or the Massachusetts coast. There are four campgrounds in the park, including:
Another option is October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in the state and is found in Western MA, not far from Albany, NY. The area is known for hiking and biking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter and is close to the Berkshire Mountains.
Join Roadpass Pro
Curated by the Campendium Community