The 5 Best Places to Camp in Massachusetts this Summer

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Published: August 25, 2022
© iStock.com/Cheri Alguire
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The coastal towns in Massachusetts are the busiest in the summer, with vacationers and locals flocking to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and the Boston area. Others take the summer to plot out a hiking trip along the Appalachian Trail. Whether you want to enjoy the sandy beaches, the mountains or the city, here are the 5 best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer!

1. Cape Cod: Coastal Acres Campground, Provincetown

The Marconi Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is lined with beaches on the bay side and the ocean side. It is a very popular place for visitors to enjoy the Massachusetts summer.

©iStock.com/Cheri Alguire

Cape Cod is the “arm” of Massachusetts that stretches out into the Atlantic and wraps around creating the Cape Cod Bay. Beaches line both the bay side and ocean side creating a opportunities for visitors to enjoy both. The Coastal Acres Campground is at the northern tip of the Cape Cod arm on the bayside. The wooded campground sits on Shank Painter Pond with some of the sites overlooking the pond. RV and tent sites are available and have picnic tables and patio sets.

The campground is so close to many options, so pack a bag and bike to one of the National Seashore Beaches then head into Provincetown for some shopping or dinner at one of the bayside restaurants. It may be hard to choose from lobster, crab or oysters but you can’t go wrong with fresh seafood. You can see why this is one of the best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer!

Coastal Acres Campground
LocationAt the end of the arm of Cape Cod
Nearest CityProvincetown
RV/TentYes, some with full hookups
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, Showers, Camp Store
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestWalk to Provincetown or bike to the beach!

2. Nantucket Sound: Camper’s Haven RV Resort

Ballston Beach
One of the best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer is Camper’s Haven RV Resort. Enjoy the 500-foot private sandy beach right on the Nantucket Sound.

©iStock.com/RobinAmaral

Another great option in the Cape Cod area is on the Nantucket Sound. Camper’s Haven RV Resort has access to a 500-foot private beach where you can spend the day swimming, sunbathing, body boarding or looking for shells. The sound has some rare animals like endangered leatherback sea turtles and loggerheads as well as grey seals. You can take a day trip out to the islands of Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard which are both just across the Sound.

The campground has sites for RV’s but no tent camping, however you can rent one of the cottages or stay in a vacation rental. There are restrooms, showers and laundry on-site as well as snack bar that serve meals throughout the day. For the kids there is playground and mini-golf. Sounds like a fun camping option for the summer!

Camper’s Haven RV Resort
LocationOn the south side of the Cape Cod arm on the Nantucket Sound
Nearest CityDennis Port
RV SitesYes
Tent SitesNo tent sites available
CottagesYes
Picnic Tables at each sitePicnic area
Fire Pit at each siteNo
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, snack bar, playground, mini-golf
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestPrivate sandy beach access on the Nantucket Sound!

3. Wompatuck State Park

mountain bike on sunny day in forest
For some of the best mountain biking in the northeast, try the single track trails at Wompatuck State Park.

©iStock.com/LuckyBusiness

One of the best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer is at Wompatuck State Park. Located 35 miles south of downtown Boston you can camp in the beautiful forest and enjoy some of the best hiking and biking. There are 12 miles of paved trails for biking and another 40 miles of hiking trails. Wompatuck has some of the best mountain bike trails as well with multiple single-track options. Bring your fishing gear for fishing in the Cohasset Reservoir or Aaron River Reservoir for bass, sunfish and pickerel. The campground has 260 sites with a mix of RV and tent sites available. Go for a mountain bike ride in the morning, take a kayak out on the lake in the afternoon and spend the night by the campfire making s’mores!

Wompatuck State Park
LocationJust south of Boston
Nearest CityBoston
RV/Tent Sites260 sites, (125 with electric)
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, boat ramp for car-top boats
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestSome of the best mountain bike trails in Mass.!

4. Boston/Cape Cod KOA Holiday

Boston, Massachusetts
Enjoy the best of both worlds by staying close to Boston at the Boston/Cape Cod KOA.

©iStock.com/Sean Pavone

For a centrally located home base, the Boston/Cape Cod KOA is one of the best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer. It is only 40 minutes south of downtown Boston and 15 miles west of Plymouth. After visiting Plymouth Rock and the replica of the Mayflower you can head back to the campground for a swim in the pool or check out the jumping pillow and fun train for the kids. There are a variety of campsites from RV sites with full hookups to tent sites with a picnic table and fire ring. You can rent camping cabins or deluxe cabins if you want all the fun of the campground atmosphere but don’t want to “rough it”.

Boston/Cape Cod KOA Holiday
Location40 min south of Boston, 15 miles west of Plymouth
Nearest CityMiddleburough
RV/Tent SitesYes, some RV sites have full hookups
CabinsYes, both basic and deluxe cabins
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground,
mini golf
Pet FriendlyYes, check out camp K9 for your pup
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestCentrally located for all the Boston/Cape Cod area has to offer!

5. Appalachian Trail: Upper Goose Pond Cabin/Campsites

Black Bear Population by State
For a more primitive camping experience you can hike and camp along the Appalachian Trail. This is bear country so be aware and keep you food in secure containers.

©CSNafzger/Shutterstock.com

Opposite of the resort-like KOA experience is hiking along the Appalachian trail and camping at one of the primitive campsites at the Upper Goose Pond. There is one cabin that is available on a first come first serve basis with a caretaker that assists campers while they stay with any questions. There are also 4 tent platforms for overnight camping. After a long day of hiking along the AT you can settle in to your campsite then head down to the Upper Goose pond for a swim or to do some fishing. Be aware that this is black bear country so bear boxes for food storage are available at each campsite and behind the cabin. This is a great way to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors in Massachusetts! Definitely one of the best places to camp in Massachusetts this summer!

Upper Goose Pond Cabin/Campsites
LocationIn western Mass. along the Appalachian Trail
Nearest CityLee
RV SitesNo
CabinYes, one, first come first serve
Tent sites4 tent platforms
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesPrivy, fire ring behind the cabin
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsNo, first come first serve
What makes it one of the bestRemote camping along the Appalachian Trail!

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The Featured Image

The Marconi Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
A hot and sunny weather along the shore of the beach at Cape Cod National Seashore
© iStock.com/Cheri Alguire

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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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Sources
  1. , Available here: https://coastalacresprovincetown.com/
  2. , Available here: https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/new-england/massachusetts/campers-haven/9/
  3. , Available here: https://koa.com/campgrounds/boston/
  4. , Available here: https://massdcrcamping.reserveamerica.com/camping/wompatuck-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32628
  5. , Available here: https://www.amc-wma.org/campsites