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The best camping near Boston Harbor Islands

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Boston Harbor adventure.

100% (6 reviews)
100% (6 reviews)

Wilderness with a city view!... Tidepools, lighthouses and history meet beach and boating fun.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Boston Harbor Islands

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Boston Harbor Islands

98%
(158)

Cozy Wooded Nook

8 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres ¡ Carver, MA
A cozy 3 acres near Cranberry Bogs. We have 5 campsites available to choose from. 1 RV (& multi tent) site and 4 onsite trailers. There are additional various locations tucked into nooks for small tent and hammock camping. Short wooded trails for dog walks. Build a fire for enjoyment, or swivel the 30” grill top over, to cook. Campfires permitted. Wood for sale on-site is $5 per bundle — mix of pine, oak, maple, ash, and poplar. The randomly dispersed hammocks are perfect for relaxing, watching sunsets through the tree line or reading a book with the morning birds. Pet friendly. 25-foot tie-out cable available for use anywhere on the property. No dump stations or bathrooms on site. [Luggable Loo Bucket Toilet available for rent for $1] Well water fill up available. Absolutely no use of liquid fire accelerants, please. We will provide endless fire starter logs and cardboard to get you going. 15 AMP ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5/PER NIGHT 5 miles to Plymouth 25 miles to Cape Cod 45 miles to Boston
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$45
 / night
100%
(104)

Bakers Island Light Campsite

3 sites ¡ Tents10 acres ¡ Beverly, MA
Bakers Island Light Station is located on Bakers Island in Salem Sound, a 60-acre island with a large summer colony. The lighthouse stands at 59 feet tall and continues to guide ships in and out of Salem Harbor with an alternating 20-second white-red light. The 10-acre light station, which includes six historic structures such as two keepers houses, an oil house, and a lantern room (now operating as a gift shop), is located in the northwest quadrant of the island and was formally owned and operated by the US Coast Guard. The rest of the island is in private ownership including the Bakers Island Wharf. The deed to historic Bakers Island Light Station was transferred on August 27, 2014, from the United States government to the Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage). Learn more about this land: Rated #1 Hipcamp site in Massachusetts by Outdoor Magazine in 2020! Enjoy the sights and sounds of off-the-grid coastal living at the Bakers Island Light Station Campsite. Set up your tent on a raised platform and take in the beauty of Salem Sound. Meet the summer lighthouse keepers, stroll through island trails, and unwind...just three miles off the coast of Salem! Getting to camp: PLEASE READ - the only way to get to Bakers Island Light Campsite is by boat. You have three options: 1) Use your own kayaks and paddle out to our beach (this is recommended for advanced kayakers only). 2) Take our landing craft, Naumkeag, out to the island for $70 per person. (Boat departs from Blaney Street dock on Friday at noon and picks you up from the Island on Sunday at noon). FREE overnight parking is available there. 3) Take your own boat, and rent a mooring for $59 a night (you will need your own dinghy to get ashore). Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that operates and maintains the 10-acre light station at Bakers Island, with the mission of public access and preservation.  IMPORTANT: The $60 per night fee covers 4 people per site. The absolute capacity for each site is 4 people, and you must provide us the name of each guest prior to arrival. TRANSPORTATION: Bakers Island Light Station is a remote island located in Salem Sound. There are a few ways to get there, including taking the Essex Heritage landing craft (additional fee per person) from Salem, renting a mooring at the light station for your own boat, or kayaking. ALL CAMPERS MUST ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION AFTER BOOKING. DETAILS WILL BE SENT FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING.
Toilets
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$60
 / night
97%
(88)

Vintage camper, wifi & firepit

2 sites ¡ Lodging1 acre ¡ Canton, MA
Get outside and bring the dog! Glamping tiny house style. Vintage RV with attached enclosed room. Your own waterfront beach with campfire pit.  Dogs welcome! Very close to neighbors in a quite secluded neighborhood, 10 miles from Boston. Experience the natural beauty of Massachusetts just a few miles outside of Boston, Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres with 125 miles of trails to explore through forests and wetlands, up hills and more.   Peace and serenity 19 miles from downtown Boston MA.   Bring the dog for swimming. Kayak and canoe in the back yard at the waters edge. Marshmallows and firewood included. Linens included. Space in backyard to pitch an extra tent for guests.  Parking on lot in front of camper. Hiking trails around the lake.
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$125
 / night
100%
(13)

Toi Moi Gloucester

1 site ¡ RV6 acres ¡ Gloucester, MA
Our property is over 5.5 acres, with a working saw mill, a barn, a wine bar and art studio, an airbnb, and our home. We are located within a few minutes of Rt. 128 giving you easy access to everything Cape Ann has to offer, without any street noise or neighbors. At the site you will find: 30A 120V hookup 20A 120V hookup The RV Tuckaway simply offers a quiet, peaceful and private place to park and enough space on the gravel pad to put out chairs and hang out. We can supply a Gloucester trash bag (big enough for a couple standard kitchen bags of trash) for $15 and dispose of it for you. We will provide a small, standard recycling bin free of charge, as long as the recycling refuse is contained to the bin. There are so many things to do here, it's impossible to give a comprehensive list, however we'll try to give you a quick shot at our favorites: Beaches: Wingaersheek Beach, Singing Beach, Good Harbor Athletic/Outdoors: Cape Ann SUP, Canoe/Kayak on Walker Creek, Essex River Restaurants: Talise, Short & Main, Feather & Wedge Shops: Pastaio, Helen's Bottle Shop Bakeries: Honeycomb, Bonny Breads, Sandpiper Art/Museum: Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, Rocky Neck Art Colony, CAM If there's something specific you're curious about, just ask us!
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from 
$65
 / night
94%
(26)

8 Acres Homestead

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents8 acres ¡ Tiverton, RI
Enjoy this quaint and tranquil getaway. Close to local beaches, cafes, and shops. Our property is located in the picturesque, New England coastal town of Tiverton, Rhode Island. The property consists of a family residence, a Christian church, and a small farm that sits high on a hill overlooking the Nanaquaket Pond. Pitch your tent, or park your car/van, in our beautiful backyard woodlands with rustic walking paths to the Nannaquacket Pond. Take in the natural wildlife such as deer, groundhogs, songbirds, and our free-range chickens when they are out and about. The beauty of the countryside is right around the corner. Historic Tiverton Four Corners: 4 minutes South Shore Beach: 20 minutes Newport: 30 minutes Providence: 30 minutes
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$25
 / night
100%
(8)

Patti's Beaver Pond

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Lincoln, MA
We are in a suburban area (Lincoln, MA) which is next to Concord and Lexington. This is a historical area with Lexington Battle Green, historical houses and civil war reenactments. We are close to Walden Pond and many hiking and bike trails. We are also close to the communter train to Boston and surrounds. Email if you need additional info about how to get into other towns.
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$66
 / night
99%
(44)

Souhegan Shores

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents21 acres ¡ Merrimack, NH
Camp alongside the tree lined bank of the Souhegan River. Fall to sleep to the sound of river flowing over the rocks up stream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to a 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp above the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of white pine and shag bark hickory and listen to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. On the other side of the fence is a pasture where two horses graze. If you don't like friendly dogs then you'll be better off on site 2 where we can better keep our dog Wilson from dropping in to visit. He loves people too much not to want to greet folks on Site 1. Site-2 is located at the downstream end of the property and is completely private. You'll see nothing from your site but trees and the river. If you or your dog don't like dogs, this is the site you want. It's far easier to keep Wilson away from this corner of the property. The other side of the river is town conservation land so the only people you're likely to see will be passing by in canoes or kayaks. In the dry season, this is a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since the rapids upstream become unpassable in late July and August. Now that TENTRR has gone bankrupt, Site 2 is available year round. If NH gets clobbered by snow, just check ahead to ensure your host has finished plowing the access road.
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from 
$45
 / night
100%
(11)

Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, fun

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Mansfield, MA
Campers can expect a fun and convenient place to stay near Gillette Stadium and Xfinity Center. RVs 25’ or less are welcome (must pack out waste tanks). We are pet friendly and 420 friendly (dispensary’s are close by). Free use of our kayaks, canoe and paddle board. Free firewood when available. Free WiFi, Water and 20 amp hookup. Free use of our Blackstone style grill and griddle as well. Campers need to know that our property is on a fairly busy street and can be loud at times (we do supply free earplugs for our guests).
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from 
$45
 / night
100%
(6)

Rinconcito Wildcat

1 site ¡ Tent2 acres ¡ Littleton, MA
Campsites are situated in the wooded area on our property land that integrates into hundreds of acres of conservation land with hiking trails that are also great for XC skiing, kettle ponds, and wetlands. The property is surrounded on 3 sides by conservation land with trails, 45 minutes - 1 hour from Boston and 10 minute drive to groceries, stores and restaurants. The house is right off a country road with our property and conservation land both across the street and behind our house. The area is in the heart of New England and is beautiful at all times of year. Minutes from Rte 495 and 2, we are along a popular bike route, 10 minutes from Carlson Orchards and the bistro/cafe Harvard General Store.
Potable water
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$35
 / night
Booked 1 time

Souza Cranberry Waterfront Campsite

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Rochester, MA
Come enjoy our active 50 acre cranberry bog, located in God's country, Rochester Massachusetts. Enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing or paddle boating in our private 6 acre watering hole. Or just take a walk around the bogs enjoying the sites of nature and the animals you may see along the way. Two Waterfront sites available, no electricity, water or sewer. Generator's allowed, and generator available for rent. Water refill and dump station available upon request.
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from 
$25
 / night
Booked 2 times

The Quarry

1 site ¡ RV, Tent1 acre ¡ Rockport, MA
Property abuts Greenbelt. Magical sunrises and sunsets. Incredible stargazing. Explore Dogtown, Halibut Point State park and Rockport. Downtown Gloucester very accessible by bus or car. Property was originally a mined granite quarry called Sherbourne Motions. ThĂŠ granite from this quarry built Salem Jail and Bunker Hill. Very tranquil and peaceful setting year round
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$88
 / night
83%
(6)

Estate of Mind

13 sites ¡ RVs, Tents25 acres ¡ Whitinsville, MA
We are a collaborative creative coliving community restoring a historic estate. The property has 20 acres of forest and 5 acres of buildings, lawns, parking, gardens, etc. The forest is split by a small stream, with a few trails including some that lead to adjacent public forest. Our onsite activities tend to focus on art projects, musical events, crafty and creative endeavors, etc. We often have group dinners, open to the public on at least Sundays.
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$30
 / night

The best camping near Boston Harbor Islands guide

Overview

About

Ready to visit a historic lighthouse or fort? How about tidepooling and swimming? Maybe you'd rather go hiking, even though you have to be back in the city by the end of the day?

All that's possible at this national recreation area. If you prefer a day trip, take a ferry tour. Even if you can't get to all 34 islands, you'll see the Boston skyline from a new viewpoint.

If hiking's your thing, Peddocks Island, Spectacle Island and Worlds End have well-maintained trails. Climb to the top of the North Drumlin, on Spectacle Island, for a 360 view of the whole harbor.

Do you like boating? Well, you're in a harbor, so good choice! Two islands have moorings, or you can drop anchor off the other islands. Beaches on Lovells Island and Spectacle Island save you a drive to the Cape.

Lovells Island, Grape Island, Peddocks Island and Bumpkin Island have rustic campsites. (Within view of the city! Fun!) Or rent a yurt on Peddocks for a touch more comfort.

Notable campgrounds

  • Peddocks Island Tent Sites: Immerse yourself in nature by camping at one of the rustic tent sites.
  • Peddocks Island Yurts: Enjoy a comfortable stay in a yurt, blending outdoor adventure with home comforts.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, as the islands are a popular destination during peak season.
  • Check for cancellations regularly, as plans change and spots may open up unexpectedly.
  • Consider midweek camping for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the island campgrounds are fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Boston Harbor Islands is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is warm and the ferries run regularly. Avoid winter when services are limited, and the islands are less accessible due to harsher weather conditions.

Know before you go

  • There is no parking on the islands; plan to use private parking at ferry locations.
  • Accessibility is a priority, with trails and beach wheelchairs available on Spectacle Island.
  • Remember to carry out all trash, as the islands operate on a carry in, carry out policy.
  • Service dogs are welcome, but other pets are not permitted on the islands.
  • Check the official website for the latest information on ferry schedules and camping reservations.

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