Campgrounds and RV parks near Essex, MA

Essex sits on the North Shore of Massachusetts, tucked between Ipswich Bay and Cape Ann. It is a small coastal town known for shipbuilding heritage, salt marshes, and seafood shacks, and it makes a practical base for RV travelers exploring the coast between Boston and the New Hampshire line. Most RV-friendly campgrounds cluster in two areas: Cape Ann to the south around Gloucester, and the Salisbury Beach area to the north near the mouth of the Merrimack River. Cape Ann Camp Site sits on 80 acres of mature woodland overlooking the Annisquam River, one mile from Wingaersheek Beach, and offers sites ranging from tent spots to spacious RV sites with electric, water, and sewer. To the north, Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers 484 campsites with water and electric hookups, comfort stations, a playground, boardwalks to the ocean, and two boat ramps on the Merrimack River. Private options in the Salisbury area include Beach Rose RV Park, Rusnik Campground, and Black Bear Campground, which give RV travelers a mix of full-hookup pads, pools, and quick access to both Massachusetts and New Hampshire beaches.

State and private sites use different systems. Reservations at Salisbury Beach State Reservation are handled through ReserveAmerica and can be made up to four months in advance. Reservations are required, walk-in registrations are not permitted, and same-day reservations can be made up until 2 pm on the date of arrival. Private campgrounds such as Cape Ann Camp Site, Beach Rose RV Park, Black Bear Campground, and Rusnik Campground take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites. Note that Rusnik Campground offers seasonal and monthly camping only, with no short-term stays. Book peak-summer weekends and holiday weeks as early as possible. Bring proof of pet vaccinations if traveling with animals, and confirm rig length and slide-out clearance when reserving, as some coastal parks have narrow access roads and tight interior sites.