Camping Near Boston

The closest state park campgrounds to Boston are DCR's: Harold Parker State Forest in Andover, Salisbury Beach at the mouth of the Merrimack River, Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Peddocks Island in the Boston Harbor Islands and Myles Standish State Forest in Carver and Plymouth. Most charge $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for others in 2026; Salisbury Beach is $22 and $70, and Peddocks Island just $8 and $20. All book through DCR's ReserveAmerica system, up to four months ahead.

Harold Parker State Forest (Andover)

Best for: woods camping with ponds and trails, about an hour north of the city by DCR's description.

Lorraine Park Campground has 89 sites for tents, trailers and RVs, 10 with electric hookups (+$6), plus showers and an RV dump station. In 2026 it opened May 7 and stayed open later than most, to a last night of October 25 (Thursday to Sunday only from October 15). Campers get their own beach on Frye Pond, the day-use beach at Berry Pond is nearby, and the forest has 35 miles of trails. Dogs are allowed and may be off-leash on the trails. Full guide: camping at Harold Parker.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Salisbury)

Best for: beach camping and the longest season near Boston.

DCR's Salisbury Beach sits where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic, on State Reservation Road, with 3.8 miles of coastline for swimming and boating. It is the priciest of the five at $22 a night for Massachusetts residents and $70 for others, with water (+$4) and electric (+$6) add-ons and a $3 trust surcharge. In 2026 it opened May 7 and ran to November 28, with Thursday to Saturday nights only from October 22. DCR says dogs must be leashed whenever they are allowed on the beach.

Wompatuck State Park (Hingham)

Best for: a big campground with bike paths, south of the city.

DCR describes Wompatuck, at 204 Union Street in Hingham, as 3,526 acres with a campground of more than 250 sites, 12 miles of non-motorized roads and 40 miles of forest trails. Sites are $17 and $54. The 2026 season ran May 7 to October 11, and DCR lists accessible campsites with level, packed surfaces, pedestal grills and accessible tables.

Boston Harbor Islands: Peddocks Island

Best for: the cheapest and most unusual night out, by ferry.

DCR offers camping on Peddocks Island, one of three harbor islands reachable by public ferry in peak season, less than ten miles from Boston. Sites cost $8 a night for Massachusetts residents and $20 for others; group sites $35 and $100; large yurts $55 and $140. In 2026 camping ran June 17 to October 11, on Wednesday to Saturday nights through September 7 and Thursday to Saturday after. You carry everything from the ferry, and restrooms are on Georges, Peddocks and Spectacle Islands only.

Myles Standish State Forest (Carver and Plymouth)

Best for: yurts as well as campsites, south of the city.

DCR lists Myles Standish's basic sites at $17 and $54, small yurts at $45 and $120 and large yurts at $55 and $140. Its 2026 season ran May 7 to October 11.

Comparing Them

• Cheapest: Peddocks Island ($8 / $20).
• Longest season: Salisbury Beach (to November 28 in 2026), then Harold Parker (to October 25).
• Electric hookups listed by DCR: Harold Parker (10 sites), Salisbury Beach.
• Beach on site: Salisbury Beach (ocean), Harold Parker (Frye Pond, campers only).
• No car needed: Peddocks Island, by ferry.

Booking Tips

Reservations open up to four months before your arrival date, through ReserveAmerica's Massachusetts state parks site. Fees above are DCR's posted 2026 rates; residency pricing depends on DCR's rules at booking. Group sites at Harold Parker, Salisbury, Myles Standish and the Harbor Islands are $35 a night for Massachusetts groups and $100 for others.

Other DCR Campgrounds Within a Drive

DCR's fee table also lists Pearl Hill State Forest ($17 / $54) and Willard Brook State Forest ($14 / $40) northwest of Boston. Neither is covered in detail here.