One of the greatest draws to visit the beautiful state of Massachusetts is to visit the beach and soak in the majesty of the open waters with all of your senses! But did you know you can do more than just visit the beaches in Massachusetts? In many places, you can camp on them, too!
Read on for our roundup of the best destinations for Massachusetts beach camping…including a couple of options for lakeside beach camping.
Best Destinations for Massachusetts Beach Camping
1. Horseneck Beach (Westport)
Anyone familiar with Massachusetts state recreation is likely to recognize the mention of Horseneck Beach State Reservation. In fact, this is likely the most popular destination overall to enjoy some Massachusetts beach camping! And if you’ve never heard of it or been there before, you are in for a real treat!
Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Horseneck Beach State Reservation and Horseneck Beach itself provide the perfect setting for some truly wonderful Massachusetts beach camping. There are over 100 campsites available at Horseneck Beach, and the campground itself is outfitted with running water, toilet facilities, showers, picnic areas, and fire pits.
Even at the campsites that are furthest from the waterfront, you can still hear the sound of the rushing waves. At night, the remoteness of Horseneck Beach opens up the skies for some unforgettable Milky Way viewing.
During the day, in addition to surfing, wading, and swimming at Horseneck Beach, you can also explore the reservation on a hike or take your younger campers to the campground’s on site playground. There’s something for families of all sizes and folks of all ages to enjoy at Horseneck Beach.
2. Scusset Beach State Reservation (Sandwich)
Whether you are looking to do some RV camping or tent camping during your Massachusetts beach camping adventure, you will find all you dreamed of and more waiting for you at Scusset Beach State Reservation.
This span of Massachusetts oceanfront beach spans about a mile and half along the Cape Cod Canal, and is widely considered a fantastic place for families to get their fill of Massachusetts beach camping. Here at Scusset Beach State Reservation, you will find nearly 100 RV sites with full water and hook-ups, and an additional five tent-only sites that come outfitted with picnic settings and grilling stations.
The beach at Scusset Beach State Reservation is perfect for swimmers of all ages. It’s a sandy span of shoreline with gentle waves, so even the littlest kiddos can enjoy some fun time in the water. You can also seek out other swimming opportunities, as well as hiking, biking, and nature watching, in the nearby acreage of Myles Standish State Forest.
Other popular recreations among campers at Scusset Beach State Reservation include fishing from the stone jetty and walking the car-free service road that follows alongside the canal.
3. Coastal Acres Campground (Provincetown)
Are you in the mood for a more rustic experience with your Massachusetts beach camping? If you have your heart set on enjoying a beach camping experience that’s low on amenities but close to civilization, then Coastal Acres Campground is the place to visit!
This Provincetown campground is great for RV, car, and tent camping. It’s located near white, sandy dunes that slope down straight to the ocean, dotted with marshes and ponds you can discover during some dune hiking.
This is the ideal spot to enjoy primitive camping, with no hookups or running water. Pitch your tent and let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep, without the background noise of city life or cluttered campgrounds.
But in addition to spending time at the beach, undisturbed by the fast paced urban life, you’ll find civilization is no more than a quick walk from Coastal Acres Campground. This area perfectly balances the chance to unplug and unwind with the opportunity to explore famous Massachusetts towns.
4. Race Point Beach (Provincetown)
One of the biggest luxuries of Massachusetts beach camping is the opportunity to leave the hustle and bustle of day to day life behind. Losing yourself in the sound of the waves and sinking into the peace of the ocean shore is a healing balm to a hectic life unlike any other!
To really capture the fullness of that beachside getaway experience, you need to visit Race Point Beach. Located near Provincetown, this white sand wonderland is Massachusetts nature at its finest. It’s so remote that it’s not often too busy, and camping prices are nominal so you can easily budget to stay up to a total of 21 days if you want to.
Drive your self contained, off-road vehicle out to this remote stretch of beach and get ready for the best that Massachusetts beach camping has to offer. Here you can take a dip in the ocean, watch seals basking on the sand, and hike the miles of shoreline undisturbed.
The night sky at Race Point Beach is particularly dark thanks to the lack of light pollution from nearby urban areas, so you will have the chance to enjoy some unparalleled stargazing from the sandy shore at night.
This is a perfect getaway for Massachusetts beach camping that will stay with you long after you’ve gone home.
5. Sun Retreats Resort (Dennis Port)
Formerly known as Camper’s Haven RV Resort, Sun Retreats Resort is a highly popular mid-Cape resort that makes for the perfect Massachusetts beach camping getaway.
This vacation getaway offers the opportunity to enjoy plenty of beach time as well as recreational amenities. Sun Retreats allows beach access with 500 feet of private beach along Nantucket sound, where you can hike, swim, go boating, do some fishing, or just sit and enjoy the beauty of the water.
On land, this resort offers miniature golf, a playground, an on-site store, a snack bar that serves all meals, and easy access to Dennisport for exploring, shopping, and more.
RV campers visiting Sun Retreats will find their RV sites with full hookups that include cable TV, as well as private charcoal grills and picnic benches. If you don’t own an RV of your own, never fear! You have the option of renting a two-bedroom cottage, or one of the two rental houses near the beach–each of which accommodates up to eight people.
6. Sandy Neck (West Barnstable)
Did you know Massachusetts beach camping is only allowed in two places on infamous Cape Cod? If you want that Cape Cod beach camping experience, you should have Sandy Neck in West Barnstable on your list!
This beautiful beach stretches almost seven miles long and includes over 4,000 acres of oceanside forests, sparkling marshlands, and breathtaking dunes. Here you can enjoy a day full of hiking on the beach, beach combing, and swimming in the ocean. Then, in the evening, you can sit and watch the gorgeous sunset beside a fire you’ve built right there on the beach!
There are also plenty of things to enjoy in Cape Cod and the many nearby towns. So whether you enjoy a more rustic camping experience or plan to see the sights, Sandy Neck has plenty of both to sate your tastes.
Full of natural, scenic beauty and wonderful amenities, Sandy Neck is truly the ideal place to enjoy Massachusetts beach camping.
7. Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Salisbury)
Another of the most popular spots for Massachusetts beach camping, Salisbury Beach State Reservation is an ideal spot for both seasoned beach campers and those who are enjoying their first foray into this oceanside experience.
The campground at Salisbury Beach State Reservation hosts over 480 campsites, some for RVs and some for tent camping. The most popular and arguably most lovely of these campsites are found behind the dunes, where the sound of the ocean waves can be heard night and day.
The reservation campground stretches along nearly four miles of the Massachusetts ocean coast, offering stunning views and providing numerous boardalks to cross the rocky shoreline for an even better view of the waves.
If you are also a fan of urban life, you can take a trip into nearby Salisbury to enjoy the restaurants, shops, and nightlife that make this town so popular among locals and visitors alike.
Be aware that beach camping at Salisbury Beach State Reservation is only open seasonally, from late April until November, and due to its popularity, this location fills up quick! So be sure to book your reservation ahead of time and prepare for some unforgettable Massachusetts beach camping.
Best Destinations for Massachusetts Beach Camping At the Lakeside
8. Shady Point Beach and Campground (Lunenburg)
Have you ever craved the experience of Massachusetts beach camping, but aren’t a big fan of the ocean? Maybe you want that shoreline peace and relaxation, but find you wouldn’t enjoy it as much if you had to worry over rip currents or how your younger swimmers are faring against the tide.
Well, you can still enjoy Massachusetts beach camping without the ocean! For a quieter kind of Massachusetts beach camping, consider visiting Shady Point Beach and Campground.
Located along the beautiful shore of Lake Shirley, complete with opportunities for private beach swimming, fishing, and even riding jet skis, Shady Point Beach and Campground offers all of your favorite things about a classic camping experience right on the water.
Pitch camp, cook your own food, play in the water, then enjoy a gorgeous lakeside sunset to cap off the day. Shady Point Beach and Campground truly makes the ideal environment for Massachusetts beach camping…no ocean required!
9. Sandy Pond Campground (Plymouth)
Looking for a clean, inviting, fun family campground that offers all the joys of Massachusetts beach camping without a visit to the oceanside? Then you have to check out Sandy Pond Campground!
This popular plymouth destination is the best of what Massachusetts beach camping has to offer. There are numerous opportunities for fun recreations on the water, including swimming, fishing, and boating. On land, you can enjoy basketball, horseshoe, campground activities, the jump pillow, and even hay rides.
You can also cut loose and lean fully into a glamping experience here! Bring your RV to the full hook-up pull through sites, or rent a trailer, cabin, or pop up camper. All of these amenities and more make Sandy Pond Campground a family favorite for Massachusetts beach camping with all the comforts of home–and then some.
Wrapping Up the Best Destinations for Massachusetts Beach Camping
Excited to experience some beach camping for yourself at one of the best destinations for Massachusetts beach camping? Before you head out to the shore, be sure to check out our Camping Gear guide. This will help ensure you have all the tools and items you need for a truly memorable Massachusetts beach camping experience.
- About the Author
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Renee Dugan is a lifelong writer, professional editor, and lover of the great outdoors.
A Midwest girl born and raised, Renee has always enjoyed the deep, life-giving inspiration that connection with nature brings.
In addition to channeling the awe of outdoor life into her prolific novel-writing career, she currently enjoys sharing it with her son and spreading knowledge of safe, fun outdoor life with Beyond the Tent readers and anyone she can help face-to-face.
Renee can be reached at renee.s.dugan@gmail.com