Boston area

[janeandscott]

My hubby and I are planning a trip from PA to Maine.  We already booked our place for Maine but are still looking for a place near the Boston area.  We are only going to be staying 2 nights, then driving to Salem for the day and heading up to Rockland Maine for the Lobster festival.  

I have read some reviews for Boston area campgrounds but if anybody has any input I'd appreciate it.  We are looking something Boston or south.

Thanks,
Jane :usflag:

[AustinBoston]

I lived in the area south of Boston for 43 years before moving to Minnesota in 2003.  Not even once did it even cross our minds to camp in the area.  Not even once did it cross my parent's minds when I was growing up.

With very few exceptions, the area south of Boston almost all the way to New York City is urban or suburban.  Most exceptions are either state parks or swampland.  The result is that commerical campgrounds tend to be expensive (and rare) and state parks are generally full (or have no camping facilites).

Some info you won't get elsewhere:  Wompatuck SP in Hingham is right next to an abandoned military base that is full of toxic chemicals.

Massasoit SP was the scene of some rather grizzly rape/murders about 30 years ago.  They were never solved.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation has a spectacular beach with significant surf (truly spectacular when there is a storm out to sea).  The water is generally cold.  We have spent as much as an hour at a time in the water, but the first 15 minutes is spent getting used to the cold water.  I've never seen the campground, but will say this - the whole area is very sandy with lots of sand dunes, and so you will get sand into almost everything.  Nearly all of the land for this state reservation (the beach is several miles long)  once belonged to my family.  Most of the property was seized by the state after the 1938 hurricane, which destroyed nearly all of the buildings on it and killed over 600 people.  There is an island connected by a causeway at the extreme southern end of the reservation.  On that causeway you can see remains of WWII anti-submarine and anti-aircraft guns.  If you are travelling through the area, you might find this to be a bit out of the way.

I can't comment on Myles Standish State Forest (beyond saying there are many miles of nice bike trails and it was the site of a huge forest fire about 25 years ago) or Scusset Beach State Reservation.

Austin

[GeneF]

Here is a link for the Mass State Parks

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/index.htm

Haven't done any camping in Mass but I thought this might help.

Just a heads up, parking in Salem can be tight at times.

If you have the time, a walk in the older section of Marblehead is interesting for the old houses.  A drive out to the Neck to take a look at some of the wealthier homes is good.  There is also a lighthouse there with parking.

Devero Beach is on the way to the Neck.

[wavery]

I'm glad that I'm not trying to drive around in Boston today :eyecrazy:

[homecrew]

Outside of Boston in Littleton is the Minuteman Campground. We stayed here a couple of years ago for a couple days when we were also going to Maine. It's a real nice campground and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
 
By the way, while you are in the Boston area be sure to check out Kimball Farms for some great ice cream.   kimballfarm.com

[janeandscott]

Thank you all so much for the information.  I checked out Minuteman campground, discussed it with my husband and  that is where we intend to stay.  We are not much into state parks since we like all our amenities.  Minuteman got some good reviews on the internet so that's where I will call today.

Thanks for the head's up about the parking in Salem.  I was on the net yesterday looking for info about parking there.  Didn't find much of anything helpful.

We will not be driving in Boston......I have heard many horror stories.  We will take the train.

I am really excited about our trip.  I can't wait till we take our first little weekend trip as soon as the weather breaks.  Last year it was so nice out that we were able to go to the Jersey shore (only two hours away) on March 1st weekend.  I hope we are that lucky this  year!

Jane and Scott Adams

[hatlet]

check this out://www.normandyfarms.com  

Thank you all so much for the information.  I chttp/hecked out Minuteman campground, discussed it with my husband and  that is where we intend to stay.  We are not much into state parks since we like all our amenities.  Minuteman got some good reviews on the internet so that's where I will call today.

Thanks for the head's up about the parking in Salem.  I was on the net yesterday looking for info about parking there.  Didn't find much of anything helpful.

We will not be driving in Boston......I have heard many horror stories.  We will take the train.

I am really excited about our trip.  I can't wait till we take our first little weekend trip as soon as the weather breaks.  Last year it was so nice out that we were able to go to the Jersey shore (only two hours away) on March 1st weekend.  I hope we are that lucky this  year!

Jane and Scott Adams

[homecrew]

We also took the train into Boston while there. I'm pretty sure we went to the South Acton station. It had the times that we were looking for. I don't believe that all of the trains stopped in Littleton or Ayer, which are the other stations closest to Minuteman.

[janeandscott]

I checked out Normandy Farms which looks very nice but it is pricey.  That is not what deterred me but I read some reviews that said it was not worth the price.  That's when I found Minuteman.

Jane
God Bless America! :usflag:

[Hargus]

Hello,
       I would also vote for Minuteman Campground. I have never camped there but the location is good, it puts you North of the city and better to get to Salem. Normandy Farms is to the South and pricey. Boston could be a good take if your interested. The train wouldn't be a bad idea.

Your correct Wavery, that wasn't a good traffic day. Unless you were looking for moonites.

There is some to do in Salem, it's something to see. Watch out for the witches.

[dthurk]

I'm glad that I'm not trying to drive around in Boston today :eyecrazy:

LA's better?

[Hargus]

LA's better?

Dave, I think what was meant the day Wavery posted that message was the day a lot of hoax bomb scares was found around the city of Boston. As you may of heard by now some of the major roadways were closed down and Boston being a large city in a relatively small area if kind of backed up part of the area.
Mike

[dthurk]

Dave, I think what was meant the day Wavery posted that message was the day a lot of hoax bomb scares was found around the city of Boston. As you may of heard by now some of the major roadways were closed down and Boston being a large city in a relatively small area if kind of backed up part of the area.
 Mike

Oh, thanks for the explaination.  Must have my head in the sand.  I do have a lot on my plate right now, not paying much attention to the news.  

I have driven both Boston and LA.  While they're certainly different creatures, I wouldn't want to have to deal with either one on a day-to-day basis.  Manhattan's easier than either one of those, but wouldn't want to live there, either.  Sorry, New York.  I've also spent too much time in the Washington I95 "Park"way.

[maddygirl]

yikes! don't be afraid to camp in Massachusetts! I gather the first poster had some issues, but actually, there are great places to go here! I hope you had fun at Minuteman if you already went.

I posted a review of Bayview CG in Bourne. I would certainly recommend it. As a kid, I camped a ton in Myles Standish and loved it. We'll be camping in two different campgrounds in Plymouth.

The thing is, I've read reviews of certain CG's and one would say it was brilliant and the next one would say it was a dumpster. It can be, at times, a very individual preference kind of thing. I would say do a little research and give it a try!

Tina