Beach camping at the ocean is one of the many fun outdoor activities that you can enjoy in Massachusetts.
Although camping on the actual beach is illegal at most beaches in Massachusetts there are many campgrounds located at or near public and state beaches in the state.
The following is a list of places that offer beach camping in Massachusetts:
Bakers Island Light Campsite:
Address: Baker’s Island, Salem, Mass
Website: www.bakersislandlight.org/visit.html
Bakers Island Light Campsite is a 10-acre campsite on Baker’s Island which is a small, private residential island off the coast of Salem. Camping is available June through September.
The campground features three campsites (with raised platforms where campers can pitch their tent), picnic tables, an outhouse with one compostable toilet at each campsite and another compostable toilet near the lighthouse.
The 60-acre island features a beach, a historic lighthouse and a keeper’s house as well as private residences.
The keeper’s house is also available for rent and features three bedrooms, 1 ½ bathrooms and five beds (one full and four twin beds) which can accommodate up to six people.
Boston Harbor Islands:
Address: Boston Habor Islands, Boston, Mass
Website: www.bostonharborislands.org/camping
The Boston Harbor Islands are a cluster of islands located within Boston Harbor. Peddock Island, which is the second largest of the Boston Harbor islands, allows camping on the island from June to September.
The island features tent campsites that can accommodate up to four adults or two adults and their dependent children.
Yurt campsites are also available which can accommodate up to six people and feature bunk beds and electricity.
All of the campsites feature composting toilets and picnic tables. Running water and flush toilets are available at the visitor center near the ferry dock and grills and shade shelters are available within walking distance of most campsites.
The island features not only the wooded campground but also miles of trails and scenic beaches. Campfires are not allowed at the campsites but are allowed on the beach.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation:
Address: 5 John Reed Road, Westport, MA
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/horseneck-beach-state-reservation
Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a state park in Westport that offers camping at the Horseneck Beach Campground from May until early October.
The campground is located just behind the dunes and features 100 campsites next to a two-mile cobblestone beach with beautiful views of Buzzards Bay.
The campground also offers a comfort station with flush toilets and hot showers, a dumping station, playground, basketball and volleyball courts. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring.
North of Highland Camping Area:
Address: 52 Head of the Meadow Rd, North Truro, MA
Website: capecodcamping.com/ccc
The North of Highland Camping Area is a campground in North Truro on Cape Cod that offers camping from May until mid September.
The campground is located about a half mile from Head of the Meadow Beach and features 237 wooded campsites in a 58-acre pine forest.
The campsites offers mostly tent camping but there are also a few campsites that accommodate camper vans and small trailers.
The campground has four sections each with its own restroom with flushing toilets and drinking water fountains. The campground also has a centrally located shower facility, camp store, recreation hall and laundry facility.
North Truro Campground:
Address: 46 Highland Road, North Truro, MA
Website: www.abcamping.com/abcapecod/map.php
The North Truro Campground is a campground in North Truro that offers seasonal camping.
The campground features around 288 primitive and premium tent campsites, RV campsites with water/electric/sewer hookups, beach access to the Cape Cod National Seashore and hiking/biking trails.
The campground also offers a dump station, restrooms, laundry facilities, propane and a water supply.
Horton’s Campground:
Address: 71 South Highland Road, North Truro, MA
Website: www.abcamping.com/abcapecod/map_hortons.php
Horton’s Campground is a campground in North Truro that offers seasonal camping.
The campground features primitive and premium tent sites, RV campsites with water/electric/sewer hookups, beach access to the Cape Cod National Seashore and hiking/biking trails.
The campground also features a playground, dump station, showers, restrooms and a water supply.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation:
Address: State Reservation Road , Salisbury, MA
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/salisbury-beach-state-reservation
Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a 521-acre state park in Salisbury that offers camping from early May to mid-October as well as off-season camping from late October to late November.
The reservation features a 484-site campground that includes tent campsites and RV campsites with electric hookups.
The campground is just a short walk to the state beach and is also adjacent to a riverside beach along the Merrimack River (note: swimming is not allowed in the Merrimack River due to the strong currents.)
The campground also features a camp store, bathhouse/bathrooms, dump station, boat ramps and a playground.
Sandy Neck Beach Park:
Address: 425 Sandy Neck Road, West Barnstable, MA
Website: www.town.barnstable.ma.us/SandyNeckPark/camping/campinghome.aspx
Sandy Neck Beach Park is a public park and six-mile-long beach in West Barnstable that actually allows tent camping directly on the front beach or in RV permitted self-contained vehicles next to the beach. It is the only beach in Massachusetts that allows camping directly on the beach.
The park also offers a primitive tenting area about three miles from the beach parking lot and a lean-to campsite about two miles from the parking lot.
Scusset Beach State Reservation:
Address: 20 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore, MA
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/scusset-beach-state-reservation
Scusset Beach State Reservation is a state park in Sagamore that offers camping from April until October.
The campground is within walking distance of Scusset Beach and features 98 RV sites with water and electric hookups, five tent-only campsites and a safari field for RV clubs.
The campground also offers weekend camping during the off-season. Off-season camping is limited to self-contained units only, as there are no restrooms, water hookups, showers or dump station available during the off-season.
Sun Retreats at Dennis Port:
Address: 184 Old Wharf Road, Dennis Port, MA
Website: www.sunoutdoors.com/massachusetts/sun-retreats-dennis-port
Sun Retreats at Dennis Port is a gated oceanfront RV campground in Dennis Port on Cape Cod.
The campground features beach access to its own private 500-foot beach on Nantucket Sound, full hookup RV campsites with cable TV and WiFi access, picnic tables and charcoal grills. The campground also offers cottages and beach houses for rent.
Winter Island Park:
Address: Winter Island, Salem, Mass
Website: www.salemma.gov/winter-island-park
Winter Island Park is a campground on Winter Island in Salem that offers camping from May until October.
The campground features 22 tent campsites and 28 RV campsites with electric hookups, charcoal pedestal grills and picnic tables. The campground also features a bathhouse with bathrooms and showers and a camp store.
Winter Island is a 45-acre island in Salem Harbor that is home the historic Fort Pickering Lighthouse, a public beach, a playground, a pier and boat ramps.
