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Camping at Salisbury Beach State Park

The campground at Salisbury Beach is large. There are 484 campsites and they are arranged in a layout that resembles a small town - complete with lettered streets! Do realize that this is not the place to camp if you want to experience an overnight stay in a secluded campsite. There are other options available for more spacious campground sites at local private campgrounds but none of these are located adjacent to the beach. At Salisbury Beach it is just a short walk of a few minutes from your campsite to the ocean. If you don't mind the close quarters - and plenty of folks like this kind of camping as it offers a lot of opprtunity to meet new people - this is great place to stay if what you want to spend time at the beach.

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a campsite at Salisbury Beach State Reservation

 

 

How much does it cost to camp at Salisbury Beach?

sand dune and beach at Salisbury Beach
  • Campsites are $34 per night for MA residents and $39 for non-residents.
  • There is a $8.65 per campsite reservation charge.
  • You must stay (or at least reserve and pay for) at least two nights during most of the camping season. This means the minimum camping fee starts at $78 (or $88 if you are not a state resident). Not bad for a two night stay at the beach but not so good if you only want a campsite for one night.
  • You can stay for a maximum of 14 days.
  • Camping fees are subject to change.
  • Your camping fees pay for your campsite, access to water and electric hookups, and support the conservation of Salisbury Beach through the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust.

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When can you camp at Salisbury Beach?

camping map for Salisbury Beach

Camping season

  • The regular camping season is from early May to mid-October.
  • Off season camping begins in mid-October and ends in late November. You can only camp on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Camping check- in / check- out

  • The Salisbury Beach State Reservation camping office is open from 8am –10 pm from Memorial Day until Labor day and from 8am - 8pm for off season camping. You will need to stop at the office to get your campsite assignment all squared away when you arrive at the park.
  • Check-in time is 1:00 PM; Check out time is 11:00 AM.

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camping symbol

Salisbury Beach camping reservations

  • online through ReserveAmerica.com
  • telephone: toll-free 1-877-422-6762, outside the U.S. and Canada - 518-884-4959 (not toll free)

  • TTY customers 1-877-620-0833

the Merrimack RiverHere is what the Massachusetts DCR has to say about making camping reservations:

The call center is open Monday through Sunday 8 am to 8 pm between April and Labor Day. Between September and March, the call center is open Mon through Friday 9 am to 7 pm and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Credit card payments are accepted. With personal check or money order transactions, full payment is required within ten (10) days of making the reservation. 

You must be 18 years or older to make a reservation. ID is required upon registration at the campground. Reservations may be made as early as six months prior to the date of your arrival and as late as two days before your arrival. You can also make camping reservations for several dates at one time. However, reservations will be limited to 14 cumulative days in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a 2 day minimum on most reservations.

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The Salisbury Beach campground

Salisbury Beach State Park campground
  • Each campsite has water, a picnic table, a waist high barbeque grill, and a small ground-grill/fire- box.
  • The fire-box is a three sided metal contraption that sits on the ground, is open on one side and to the ground, and has a grate on top. The idea is that you can have a fire at your campsite - but just a small one! Bundles of firewood can be purchased at the Salisbury Beach campground store. Due to invasive insect species state law prohibits moving firewood in or out of any campground.
  • Campsites have either a 20, 30, or 50 amp electrical hookup.
  • Camping pads are from from 35-40 feet.
  • Water is available at each site.
  • There are a hot showers in two of the three bathhouse/bathroom facilities in the campground.
  • There is a small campground store that sells basic food items and sundries.
  • A dump station is located near the entrance to the campground.
  • Salisbury Beach State Park Map

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Some Salisbury Beach State Reservation camping rules:

- as per the Massachusetts DCR (this is not a complete list, call the park if you have any questions)-

no alcohol sign
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Massachusetts State campgrounds.
  • Pets are welcome in most campgrounds, but please keep them restrained, clean up after them and prevent them from disturbing others. Also, please a dogbring proof of rabies vaccination when camping with your pet.
  • Respect the 14-day camping limit. To ensure that many campers enjoy our parks, campers and camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
  • Don't overcrowd your campsite. Please limit site occupancy to four people or one family (parents and children 17 or under). Please limit site equipment to two tents or one trailer (or RV) and one tent. Also, please no more than two vehicles per campsite.
  • Massachusetts law requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet when bicycling. The MA DCR encourages all cyclists to wear a helmet and cycle safely.
  • butler's toothpick at Salisbury Beach State Reservation
  • Salisbury Reservation is located on a barrier beach therefore, may be closed at any time due to severe weather conditions.
  • There are extended picnic tables for wheel chair access available upon request. For 2007 season 50-20 amp site electric hookups vary by campsites; water hookups available.

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Off season camping at Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Non-Peak season camping goes from mid-October to late-November. You can camp at the park Thursday through Saturday nights.

  • Thursday, Friday and Saturday night stays only
  • Heated bathroom facility available off-season
  • No dumping station available off-season
  • Electric hookups included at each site
  • Potable water is available at the headquarters  
  • Reservations accepted
  • Walk-ins available first come, first serve

Do you still want to know even more about camping at Salisbury Beach State Park? Here is a blog post about one person's experience.

 

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