Cape Ann Campsite, West Gloucester, Massachusetts

Nearby Magnolia Bay, Magnolia, MA

Our first and only seasonal campsite.

Cape Ann Campsite has been around since the '50's. Located adjacent to the beautiful Jones River salt marsh, the campsite began when the owner started allowing friends to come and camp there. The home located near the office/check-in location dates to the 1600's. There are generations of family who now own and operate the campground. Generations of campers come here every season from all over New England and Canada.

The lower sites which overlook the marsh are better for larger rigs. Many of the sites located up the hill from these sites are either primitive tent sites and/or smaller sites with various combinations of electrical and/or water and sewer. The sites are heavily wooded and primitive with purpose. There are no street lights in the campground.

I've only been in the bathhouse we use near our site. It's older, but almost always clean except on some weekends when families with children are present. Individual rooms house the showers and are $.25 for 5 minutes. Plenty of hot water and adequate water pressure.

Melanie and I are camped here from July 12 until November 2, 2024. She is a Seasonal National Park Ranger at Salem Maritime National Historic Site which is about 15 miles away. I've been driving her into Salem to work in our 25' LTV five days a week leaving around 6:00 a.m. We've not encountered any traffic going in to work on the Yankee Division Highway or coming back to the camp ground at around 4:45. I park on Salem Common (free) each day and wait there for her to finish work.

Three miles away from the campsite is a light rail station (MBTA). There's ample parking there and the cost of a round trip ticket into Salem, for instance, is $9.50.

The very popular Wingaersheek Beach is 1.5 miles from the campsite.

To say the surrounding area is rich with history would be understatement. Gloucester is "America's oldest seaport" and the setting for the novel and movie of the same name, "The Perfect Storm." Salem also has a rich maritime history and is the birthplace of the National Guard and, of course, the infamous Witchcraft Trials of 1692. Boston, Concord and Lexington are a train ride away too.
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We have electric assist bikes that serve as transportation and as a way to get a bit of exercise and see the sites. We've enjoyed riding the coastal roads and rail trails since our arrival. Out of Salem I've ridden as far as Rocky Neck Artist Colony and south of Salem, I've ridden as far as the Mystic River and into Charlestown. Bikes are allowed on the train during off-peak times.