Massachusetts

Boston Harbor Islands SP Site: Bumpkin Island

Small and picturesque, Bumpkin Island was home to American Indians, a fish-drying operation, tenant farmers, a naval training camp, polio patients, and more. Now it’s a quiet primitive camping destination, with ten smaller campsites (max. capacity 4 each) and one group campsite (max. capacity 25). Its slate and shell beaches and open areas make Bumpkin a relaxing place to wander. During low tide we spent the afternoon walking out to the middle of the harbor and almost to another island. But when the high tide starts rolling in you have to move quick to get back to land. This island was so private we only saw other humans once or twice. One lazy afternoon we decided to take a nap on the trail leading out of our campsite and to our surprise we woke to a flock of turkeys hanging out with us. We loved exploring the walking trails lined with wildflowers, it’s almost exotic. Exploring the remains of a stone farmhouse and children’s hospital is a dream selfie spot for a pre-teen, trust me. Watching the sun rise from your campsite is great but watching the sunset over the Boston skyline is amazing.

Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, MA 02110

Shawme Crowell State Forest

Shawme-Crowell State Forest- This 700-acre pitch pine and scrub oak forest is located on the western end of Cape Cod, and offers more than 15 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Camping is a favorite activity from early summer to the fall. With over 285 camping sites in a wooded setting, Shawme is an excellent place to set up camp for your stay in the Cape. We have been camping here for at least five years. Our summer timeline is based on when we were at Shawme. The first year camping here really was based on trying to find and affordable beach vacation. The campground is located close enough to go to any part of the Cape for the day. An added perk to camping here is free entry to a couple nearby beaches. We would use the pass for the free beaches on the day we would arrive to squeeze in some ocean time before we set up camp.

42 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563

New York

Robert H Treman State Park, NY

Robert H. Treman State Park is an area of wild beauty, with the rugged gorge called Enfield Glen as its scenic highlight. Winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, to where visitors can see a mile-and-a-half down the wooded gorge as it winds its way to the lower park. Campers can choose from tent or RV sites or cabins. Enjoy nine miles of hiking trails, or swim in a stream-fed pool beneath a waterfall. Swimming is allowed in lifeguarded area only and includes a diving board to show of some jumping and diving skills. Be warned the water is cold.

105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850

Keuka Lake State Park

Keuka Lake State Park, located in the heart of wine country, has a gentle charm, offering views of vineyard-covered slopes, glimmering water and clear blue sky. The park's camping areas have 150 tent and trailer sites, with 53 of those having electric hookups. A swimming beach, picnic shelter, boat launch ramp, docking space and hiking trails open several recreational avenues to visitors. This park has the largest campsites we’ve ever encountered. It’s a Flint family tradition to camp here every fall. Every year we try a new comfort dinner or desert to try over the fire. If you haven’t experienced an upstate NY fall, do it. We’ve hiked all the trails at this park, none too challenging and all fun.

3560 Pepper Rd, Keuka Park, NY 14478

Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls State Park's namesake waterfall is one of the outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast. Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. Gorge and rim trails offer spectacular views from above the falls and from below at the end of the gorge trail. Campsites and cabins overlook Cayuga Lake, with marina, boat launch and beach nearby. A multi-use trail--hiking, cross-country skiing--winds past sledding slopes and natural skating ponds.

 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests. Hikers can choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a pool for swimming and hot air ballooning . This park has so much to offer. We’ve stayed in a cabin a couple times in the fall. The cabins are great, trails are fun and views are spectacular.

Mt Morris, NY 14510

Sampson State Park

Encompassing just over 2000 acres on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park features camping and boating as the primary recreational activities. The park has a total of 309 campsites with 245 electric and 64 non-electric sites. The marina has just over 100 boat slips and a large multiple launch site. A key feature of the park is the beautiful view of the lake at its center, and the most picturesque sunsets in the Finger Lakes Region. Activities include tennis, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball, a sandy beach with guarded swimming, playgrounds, and a scenic lake trail. Okay I will be honest here, we mostly stayed here for a place to lay our head after the Grassroots Festival. We walked around the park and went swimming but really didn’t get the full experience. We’ll have to return soon.

6040-6144 NY-96A, Romulus, NY 14541

Stony Brook State Park

Stony Brook State Park features a rugged gorge in the rolling hills of Western New York. You can enjoy the park's rich scenery while camping, picnicking, swimming or hiking. This place was so much fun. The kids made great memories playing manhunt with other kids camping. The atmosphere was amazing even though the sites are a little close. Throughout the park geocaches are hidden. I don’t recommend hunting for them at nightfall, trust me on this. The trail to the swimming area is long but so fun the kids will never realize it. Once you get to the swimming area don’t test the water before jumping. It’s so cold it burns, I’m not kidding. The park has so much to offer, swimming, hiking, playgrounds, and camping.

Dansville, NY 14437

Potomac Group Campground

The Potomac Group Campground provides a semi-primitive group camping experience intended for groups of 8 to 45 people. This site is excellent for family events and youth group activities.  The site is hike in only and is approximately 200 yards from the parking area. There’s a great pavilion for cooking or to shelter from the rain for a while. The main site here is huge with a few smaller sites but it’s all part of one site. The hiking is plenty from this campground as it’s part of the Finger lakes trail system.

Potomac Rd, Hector, NY 14841

Caywood Point

Caywood Point is the only part of the Finger Lakes National Forest bordering Seneca Lake. Fossenvue Trail is a gravel path descends through forest to an open area beside the lake with a gravel beach and panoramic views. Please be aware that the last portion of the trail can be quite steep.

9772 Mam Rd, Hector, NY 14841

Chemung County Park Station

Park Station Campground and Recreational Center has 40 large wooded campsites, some of which are located on a 100 acre lake. Camping is year-round. Each campsite provides electric (30/50 amp), a picnic table and a fire ring. Also available in the Park are flush toilets, hot/cold showers, a laundry facility, vending machines, a dumping station, water spigots, garbage receptacles, pay telephones, playgrounds, and a camp store.

1 Beaver Pond Rd, Erin, NY 14838

Pennsylvania

Worlds End State Park

Worlds End State Park is a 780-acre (316 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The park, nearly surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest, is in the Loyalsock Creek valley on Pennsylvania Route 154, in Forks and Shrewsbury Townships southeast of the borough of Forksville. The name Worlds End has been used since at least 1872, but its origins are uncertain. Although it was founded as Worlds End State Forest Park by Governor Gifford Pinchot in 1932, the park was officially known as Whirls End State Forest Park from 1936 to 1943.

 82 Cabin Bridge Rd, Forksville, PA 18616

Connecticut

Hammonasset Beach State Park

As Connecticut’s largest public beach park, Hammonasset offers over 550 grassy campsites perfect for the nature enthusiast.A visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park, is more than just another day at the beach. Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.

1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443