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
©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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | At the end of the arm of Cape Cod |
| Nearest City | Provincetown |
| RV/Tent | Yes, some with full hookups |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, Showers, Camp Store |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Walk to Provincetown or bike to the beach! |
2. Nantucket Sound: Camper’s Haven RV Resort
©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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | On the south side of the Cape Cod arm on the Nantucket Sound |
| Nearest City | Dennis Port |
| RV Sites | Yes |
| Tent Sites | No tent sites available |
| Cottages | Yes |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Picnic area |
| Fire Pit at each site | No |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, snack bar, playground, mini-golf |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Private sandy beach access on the Nantucket Sound! |
3. 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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | Just south of Boston |
| Nearest City | Boston |
| RV/Tent Sites | 260 sites, (125 with electric) |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, boat ramp for car-top boats |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Some of the best mountain bike trails in Mass.! |
4. Boston/Cape Cod KOA Holiday
©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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | 40 min south of Boston, 15 miles west of Plymouth |
| Nearest City | Middleburough |
| RV/Tent Sites | Yes, some RV sites have full hookups |
| Cabins | Yes, both basic and deluxe cabins |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground, mini golf |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, check out camp K9 for your pup |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Centrally located for all the Boston/Cape Cod area has to offer! |
5. Appalachian Trail: Upper Goose Pond Cabin/Campsites
©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 | |
|---|---|
| Location | In western Mass. along the Appalachian Trail |
| Nearest City | Lee |
| RV Sites | No |
| Cabin | Yes, one, first come first serve |
| Tent sites | 4 tent platforms |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Privy, fire ring behind the cabin |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | No, first come first serve |
| What makes it one of the best | Remote camping along the Appalachian Trail! |
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Sources
- , Available here: https://coastalacresprovincetown.com/
- , Available here: https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/new-england/massachusetts/campers-haven/9/
- , Available here: https://koa.com/campgrounds/boston/
- , Available here: https://massdcrcamping.reserveamerica.com/camping/wompatuck-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32628
- , Available here: https://www.amc-wma.org/campsites
