Bakers Island Light Campsite
Hosted by Essex · Salem, Massachusetts
3 sites · Tent · 10 acres
Best in Massachusetts: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Essex is a Star Host
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Boat-in
This Hipcamp is accessible by boat.
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3 sites
Site 1 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
100%
(27)Boat access only
4WD required
Toilet
Site 2 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
100%
(26)Boat access only
4WD required
Toilet
Site 3 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
100%
(12)Boat access only
4WD required
Toilet
Reviews
100% Recommend115 ratings · 47 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Site 2 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
Absolutely fantastic location and everyone involved made the stay a delight.
We opted to take the boat to the island -- which thrilled my 8-year-old to no end. Then, once we arrived, the lighthouse keeper couldn't have been friendlier or made things easier during our stay at this unforgettable location with everything from amazing views to multiple lighthouse tours.
Great from start to finish and we can't wait to go back.
B
Benjamin W.
3 reviews
We had an excellent trip and I would highly recommend it! We paddled out in our kayaks and were greeted on the beach once we arrived and shown where to store our kayaks. The light housekeeper was super helpful and showed us around and answered all of our questions. It was incredible to see the lighthouse, and the views from the spot are amazing. The beach was pretty rocky, but it was perfect for a quick dip. Also, they are not joking when they say there is little to no shade on the island, so don't forget a good sun hat and lots of sunscreen.
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Emily F.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
We had a great weekend camping on Bakers Island. Just the boat ride there was great fun, particularly navigating the landing craft ramp to get to the rocky beach. Dave the caretaker was there to greet us and help load our equipment up the steep slope to the campsites. He was also always available to answer any questions. Beautiful views around the island. We also lucked out with two night's running of seeing the moon rise over the Atlantic.
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Erik H.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
We stayed two nights. The keeper David was very accommodating and gave us a tour up the lighthouse! We lucked out that it was a full moon and got to see the sunset and moonrise on the island. Great little trails and beach areas to explore. We spent most of our time relaxing, watching boats go by. The ride to and from the island in the landing boat was quite an experience. Our kids loved it!
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Nicole M.
3 years on Hipcamp
Baker's Island's campsites are not for everybody, but they were fine for me.
Be clear about transportation to-and-from the Island. Experienced kayaker's will have one experience, those who travel on the islands ferry will pay more, and be restricted by the available timing.
The site itself is historic, if a bit primitive. You are right alongside the ocean and will sleep with the sound of channel buoys "bonging" in the distance, and the screech of wheeling sea gulls!
While a bit "rough around the edges" I really enjoyed the salt air, solitude, and grace of this special and historic spot!
D
Daniel C.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Beautiful island getaway, in Salem!
Tent · With kids ·
Site 1 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
Beautiful campground with sunrise and sunset both easily accessible and visible. Easy access (once on the island), though somewhat limited activities - fishing, swimming on rocky beach, bbq and some nice trails. No campfires and no sandy beach. Overall great time and would def return.
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Jake C.
1 year on Hipcamp
We loved our stay! The boat ride in a military style landing craft - the Naumkeag - to get us and our bags to dry land on Baker Island was already fun. Our hosts - Rita and Ray - were waiving and ready to transport our luggage to our site! Seagulls were nesting on the usual camping sites so we were allowed to put our tent anywhere on the property. We stayed right next to the lighthouse, which was awesome. Our hosts were super helpful throughout our stay. They opened up the one room lighthouse museum, gave us access to a fridge and a shady spot. Bring plenty of water. You are fully exposed to the elements. It was surprisingly cool at night and really hot during the day. Bring sunblock, a sunhat and a warm hat (for wind/rain). We had a beach all to ourselves.
Most of the island is private property (60 houses). They have their own dock and beaches.
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Griet D.
3 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
Baker's Island Camping.
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
Baker's island was an amazing experience and has been a bucket list trip for us for a while. It was quite the adventure, sun set was lovely, the camp hosts are super friendly and outdoor games were great. Thank you!
J
Julia H.
2 years on Hipcamp
Amazing and beautiful weekend on the island. The caretakers ,Rita and Sean, were so nice and welcoming. They gave us a tour of the lighthouse and even made muffins on our last morning on the island. We will definitely be back. I’m the near future.
M
Mason V.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2023
Tent · Group trip ·
Site 2 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
We had a great time camping on Bakers Island! The views were lovely and there is a lot to even though the site is not very big. The beach is very good for swimming and the water is a great temperature in late July. The gas grilles for each campsite make cooking very enjoyable and we really enjoyed our meals at the site.
I will say that the host Ryan is not very communicative before check in. We tried multiple times to get in touch with him on several platforms but only heard back right before our check in. This is a bit stressful because the campsite is very remote and requires planning to get to. A lot of the information you’ll need is on the Essex Heritage website rather than the hipcamp listing. For example - we paid $50 per night for the mooring rather than the $35/night rate advertised on hipcamp.
The lighthouse keeper, Rita, was super helpful and made every effort to make us feel welcome. We really enjoyed meeting her dogs (Georgia and Tippa) who were very sweet as well.
Very cool experience - would recommend.
S
Seamus C.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2023
Boating & Island Camp with Kids
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Bakers Island Light Campsite
We had such an amazing time visiting the island and exploring lighthouse grounds. The views from every angle were spectacular day and night, and even after dense fog rolled in we really enjoyed looking out at the buoy and listening to its relaxing music. The ride over on our boat got a little hairy but it was easy to grab a mooring ball. There were two and both had pickup buoys attached. It was a quick dinghy row to shore and easy enough to ferry our gear back and forth. The shore is rocky, so landing while swells were higher was a bit tricky. Be sure to give the lighthouse keepers a call when you’re heading to the island so the can meet you with the ATV and trailer to help haul your gear up to the camp site… we neglected to do so and had a pretty good slog instead. The keepers, Anita & Sean, were very accommodating once we arrived, showing us around and offering their knowledge of the buildings and grounds. The sites themselves are all in a shared clearing with a common composting outhouse and a small shed with a chest refrigerator. The sites have a large platform that just fit our 6 person tent, a few Adirondack chairs, a sun shade, picnic table and propane grill. They’re all within sight of each other. Although not that close, don’t expect total privacy outside of your tent. One thing to note is that there are seagulls around the area and they will get into your food or rubbish if left unattended. All said, this was one of our favorite trips and we will repeat!
A
Andrew C.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2023
Tent · With kids ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Awesome weekend on Bakers Island!!
Thank you Ryan, Beth, and Jack - it was magical!
C
Colby S.
2 reviews
The experience of camping on Bakers Island lighthouse with Essex Heritage was great. The views are incredible, looking back at the Beverly coast. Jack the caretaker was awesome and really accommodating for our stay. The facility is set up well for camping with tent platforms and grills. The administration of the process by Ryan was smooth and pleasant. Overall we have a great night, if the weather was better we would have had two nights.
T
Todd T.
3 years on Hipcamp
Awesome campsite. Setting is so beautiful, it seems fake. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
S
Stephen D.
2 reviews
It's a glampy, gorgeous camping spot. I thought we'd get restless on 10 acres after two nights, but it turned out to be a perfect site to savor nature and friendship. The new caretakers made the three of us feel nurtured and welcome. Our leap off the Naumkeag landing craft in churning surf gave us a dose of adrenaline, drama, and lots of laughs. Don't forget your bug repellent and sunscreen.
J
Jean Z.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2022
Tent ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Highly recommend--Baker's island is an extraordinarily special place to camp. We ventured there via kayak, but there is also a vessel through Essex Heritage. Directions to the island and coordination with Ryan were clear and luxury amenities from the caretakers included help hauling gear from the shore to our site via ATV, a large gas grill/picnic table/sunsail/chairs at each site, a communal fridge, and supplied composting toilet. Enjoyed fishing, hiking, snorkeling, and paddling to the nearby islands and port towns. We cannot wait to return!
Sarah S.
4 years on Hipcamp
We loved the quiet and views of this little campground facing out across the water to Manchester-by-the-Sea. I brought a foldable kayak and paddled around the island in about 30 minutes. The wave action was low so I was able to snorkel from the rocky beach with no problem. The amenities (tent platform, grill, picnic table, chest fridge, composting toilet and solar phone charger) all functioned well. The hosts were knowledgeable, friendly, and politely insistent that guests not wander off the 10 acre camp to the private side of the island. We had plenty to do with games, books, and the camp trails. Will return to this lovely spot.
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Erika J.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Tent · Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Fantastic location for a night in a tent.
B
Bill S.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2022
Tent · Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Bakers island expert was superb. Great communication and organization, prompt ferry, friendly guide. Island was as expected...beautiful...a few steps above primative (we camped)...clean...and awesome, knowledgeable, friendly hosts. Tremendous views!
D
Dave W.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2022
Tent · Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
What a treasure! Bakers Island was quiet and quaint, yet an adventure! The hosts were thoughtful and welcoming. We enjoyed fishing and beach combing in the morning, rambling around the grounds during the day, and lawn games at the lighthouse at night. We were amazed at the conveniences and space afforded at the campground. The entire campground enjoyed a scenic vista,
Chelsea H.
4 years on Hipcamp
What an amazing time at Bakers Island. The campsites were perfectly setup with different views/ privacy to the ocean. We saw incredible sunsets and beautiful sunrises.
Played horse shoes, corn hole and hung out on the grounds, staring into the ocean looking for whales.
The Bakers Island care takers were fantastic. Super knowledgeable about the island/ active light house & a quick text if we needed them. Ryan from Essex Heritage made the scheduling of the campsite, mooring rental and payment a breeze.
This is must do if you love the sites of the ocean, gongs of the bell buoy and one of the most amazing working light houses in the area.
This is now an annual trip. Look forward to coming back again next season!
S
Stefan B.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2022
Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
We had a fantastic stay on Baker’s. Tara and Brian were incredibly helpful. The island was beautiful…from the walking paths to the blooming native flowers to the sound of seagulls as we were drifting off to sleep. As we were packing up, my daughter asked if we could camp on the island every year. Thank you for a special experience!
Lindsay W.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2022
Tent · Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Beautiful site and great keepers!
Dan P.
3 reviews
The campsite is awesome. Spectacular views of Salem Sound. Outstanding sunsets and sunrises. Tara and Brian are terrific hosts, and keep everything well maintained. My wife and I like to camp but do not like campgrounds. We have not had such a great camping opportunity since a wilderness rafting trip in Idaho. We arrived at the island via our own boat and the moorings are convenient and safe. What a gem. We will be back.
S
Stephen D.
2 reviews
I camped alone in this magical place. The wooden tent platforms are well spaced in an open field with ocean views. There is a shed for use by campers to store things, and it has a refrigerator- great for hot days, so my food kept well, and I alway had cold water. There is also a rain barrel with water for washing.
The island is beautifully landscaped, with short trails for exploring. I found the combined smells of the grass, plants, trees and ocean intoxicating! There are plenty of birds and bees and flora and ocean views to watch. I felt immensely meditative and relaxed.
The hosts are incredible- they help you lug your stuff up from the landing, They are very knowledgeable about the history and the workings of the island, and of the beautiful lighthouse. And if you want alone time, they are very respectful of your privacy.
The birds enthusiastically wake you at daybreak to watch the sunrise. The sunsets are equally spectacular. I left the island feeling wistful, but renewed.
J
Jean M.
5 years on Hipcamp
It’s like a dream. Wonderful hosts and incredible views! So grateful for the time, and thank you Tara and Brian for the awesome experience!
C
Colby S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2021
Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Fantastic spot. Will definitely come back
A
Andrew R.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2021
Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
Absolutely wonderful experience! Perfect location with super friendly and helpful hosts! We loved it and will be back next year!
Britta P.
5 years on Hipcamp
My six year old son and I had a fantastic time camping on Bakers Island. We loved being so close to nature and the hosts were so warm and welcoming.
C
Carl Uli B.
5 reviews
Recommends
· June 2021
Group trip ·
Bakers Island Light Campsite
We had such a fantastic time at Bakers Island - it exceeded all of our expectations. The campsite was perfect - raised platform, chairs under shade, a picnic table, and a gas grill. We even had use of a fridge for food and a charging station. The lighthouse keepers were incredibly gracious, helpful, and happy to answer any questions. Ranging around the lighthouse grounds on the various trails and playing lawn games was an added bonus. Important that you are prepared to bring all of your food and water and pack out completely. Also great that you can sail or kayak to the island if you are prepared to land/unload on the rocky beach.
A
Alexis R.
5 years on Hipcamp
Location
Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Essex H.
Joined in July 2019Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 5 hours
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