Camping - Boston Harbor Islands (2024)

Experience the ultimate urban escape with an overnight camping stay on the Boston Harbor Islands!

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park welcomes campers to one of many campsites located on Peddocks Island.

2024 camping reservations open on Friday, April 12!

The 2024 camping season runs from June 12 – September 2, with campgrounds available Wednesday – Sunday throughout the summer season.

Enjoy a night under the stars at Boston Harbor’s second largest island, featuring wooded campsites, miles of trails, and scenic beaches. Campers can reserve a tent site or one of many newly installed yurts featuring bunk beds and electricity.

Island Campgrounds

Peddocks Island tent campsites can accommodate up to 4 adults or 2 adults and their dependent children. Group sites are also available and can accommodate up to 30 people.

Yurt campgrounds are also available on Peddocks Island. Yurts accommodate up to 6 people and feature bunk beds and electricity.

All campsites feature composting toilets and picnic tables. Running water and flush toilets are available at the Visitor Center near the ferry dock. Grills and shade shelters are available within close walking distance of most sites.

Resident staff live on the Island during the visiting season and provide Island supervision, emergency communication, park and campground management

How to book your Peddocks Island camping trip

Visit ReserveAmerica to search availability book your tent site or yurt on Peddocks Island.
Check the ferry schedule to plan your trip to the island. Campers are requested to take an afternoon ferry on the day of arrival (12pm or 4:30pm) and a morning ferry on the day of departure (9:45am, 11:15am, or 12:45pm).
Visit the Peddocks Island ticketing page to reserve your ferry tickets. Ferry capacities are limited. Campers are strongly encouraged to book ferry passage immediately after making their camping reservation!

Getting to Your Campground

The ferry to Peddocks Island leaves from Hingham Shipyard. There is no direct service from Boston to Peddocks Island. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time.
Free overnight parking is available for campers parking in Hingham Shipyard. Arrive early pick up a parking pass from the camping office.
Hingham Shipyard can also be accessed by MBTA ferry from Boston or 220 bus from Quincy Center, with connection to the MBTA Red Line.
Private boaters can drop off and pick up at island floats, but must reserve an island mooring or anchor for the rest of their visit. Visit the boating page for more information about brining your boat to Peddocks Island.
Check in to your campsite from 1pm-7pm. Check out by 11am.

What to Bring

Campsite cooking is allowed with camp stoves. All campsites have charcoal grills nearby.
Please remember all cooking supplies, including charcoal.
Bring a trash bag – you will need to pack out any trash you create.
Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. Take personal precautions to protect against mosquito and tick-borne illnesses.

Be Prepared!

There are NO trash receptacles on Peddocks Island. Please bring a trash bag and be prepared to carry all trash out with you on the ferry.
Campers must provide their own camping gear, including tents. There are no supply stores for forgotten items.
Pack lightly and efficiently. Campers must carry their own camping supplies from the ferry to their site. Garden carts may be available to borrow near the ferry dock.
Flush toilets and fresh water are available on Peddocks Island at the Visitor Center (10 minute walk from most campsites). Electricity is only available to Peddocks Island yurt campers.

Campground Rules

Due to the islands’ remoteness and sensitive park resources, pets, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, and amplified sound are prohibited at island campgrounds.
Campfires are not allowed at campsites or anywhere above the high tide line. Beach campfires must be below the high tide line, and must be under three feet wide. No outside firewood is permitted. Campers may gather naturally fallen wood near campsites and beaches.
All islands have a carry-in, carry-out policy. Campers must carry off everything brought to the islands — including trash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Camping is available only on Peddocks Island, Wednesday – Sunday, June 12 – September 2. Camping is not available on Bumpkin, Grape, or Lovells Islands.
See Also
Massachusetts Campgrounds and Camping - ReserveAmerica
Reservations are required and can made through Reserve America on their website (https://www.reserveamerica.com/) or via phone (877-422-6762). Visit the Peddocks Island ticketing page to reserve your ferry tickets. Ferry capacities are limited. Campers are strongly encouraged to book ferry passage immediately after making their camping reservation! Reservations can be made up until 2:00pm on the day of camping. There are no walk-up reservations.
Please reach out to 1-877-620-2267 for changes, edits, or cancellations related to your existing camping reservation
Please reach out todcr.campinginfo@mass.gov for general questions related to your DCR camping reservation.
There is a limited capacity for group camping. Group campers must make arrangements for transportation to and from Peddocks Island. For information about group ferry tickets, contact BHCC at 866-307-2469. For more information about booking group campsites, please contact dcr.campinginfo@mass.gov.
Peddocks Island camping reservations open beginning April 12, 2024 at 8 am EST. Campsites and yurts can be reserved up to four months in advance of the date of travel.
Camping is available from June 12 – September 2 in the 2024 season.
Yes! There are flush toilets and two showers available to campers on the lower level of the Visitor’s Center, located a short walk from most island campgrounds. Composting toilets are available at each island campground.
Yes! All yurts and campsites have access to charcoal grills. Campers must provide their own charcoal.
Campers must bring any and all food and supplies with them – there are no supplies or food available on Peddocks Island, other than water. Campers must remove all waste upon their departure.
- Campfires are not allowed at campsites or anywhere above the high tide line. Beach campfires must be below the high tide line, and must be under three feet wide. No outside firewood is permitted. Campers may gather naturally fallen wood near campsites and beaches.
Yes, there are water bottle filling stations available at the Visito Center and by the Chapel.
- Please remember all food and cooking supplies you’ll need for your trip, including charcoal. Running water is available to refill water bottles.
- Bring a trash bag – you will need to pack out any trash you create. There are no trash cans on the island.
- Remember to pack sunscreen and insect repellent, and to take personal precautions to protect against mosquito and tick-borne illnesses.
- Beach carts are helpful for easier transportation of camping supplies & equipment from the ferry to your campsite.
- The ferry ride from Hingham to Peddocks Island takes about 40 minutes.
- Campsites are located about a ten minute walk from where the ferry will dock.
- While Peddocks Island is within sight of Hingham and downtown Boston, you will feel removed from the urban area. Cell phone service may be less reliable on the island.
- Due to the islands’ remoteness and sensitive park resources, pets, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, and amplified sound are prohibited at island campgrounds.
- All islands have a carry-in, carry-out policy. Campers must carry off everything brought to the islands — including trash.
- Campfires are not allowed at campsites or anywhere above the high tide line. Beach campfires must be below the high tide line, and must be under three feet wide. No outside firewood is permitted. Campers may gather naturally fallen wood near campsites and beaches.
- Remember to stay on trails and “leave no trace!”