New England Adventure Awaits at Cape Ann Camp Site Massachusetts
An iconic coast dishes out history and adventure in equal measure
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Rugged and rocky, Cape Ann, a peninsula about 30 miles north of Boston, is perhaps best known for the fishing communities — including those featured in the film The Perfect Storm — that have long plied their trade in the dangerous waters offshore. But the Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester offers something a little different. Family-owned and operated for the past 77 years, this 80-acre gem prides itself on working alongside nature, not against it, to create a serene and welcoming experience amidst the mature forests and picturesque wetlands of coastal Massachusetts. Situated on the shores of the Annisquam River and a short walk from one of the area’s best beaches, the camp boasts more than 200 unique camp sites and incredibly easy access to the surrounding towns and coastline.
Courtesy of Cape Ann Camp Site
Each site has Wi-Fi, and the campground has toilet and shower buildings for convenience. Tent camping is available, and an on-site dump station gives campers another reason to visit. Vital supplies are available at the campground store, and pets are welcome here.
Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. Photo: Townzerz
Go Gloucester
A mere stone’s throw from many of the RV park, the Annisquam River provides visitors with impeccable early morning views. But it’s also a playground for outdoors lovers. Guided kayak trips are a favorite on the river and often include stops in Gloucester Harbor, where you’re likely to catch a glimpse of rugged tuna fisherman hauling their catch ashore, Stage Fort, where revolutionaries repelled the British a few centuries ago, and Ten Pound Island, a revered spot for sea glass collectors. Keep an eye out for seals, giant sunfish, and untold numbers of seabirds enjoying the bounty of the sea right alongside you. For a more relaxing outing, there’s always Wingaersheek Beach, about a mile from the park. Known for its soft white sand and tide pools, it’s ideal for families looking for a calm place to play in the surf. Parking can be tough going, however, so be sure to get there early if you want to spend the day.
A humpback whale in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: White Welles.
Whale Tales
No trip to Cape Ann’s would be complete without getting up close and personal with the coast’s most incredible residents – whales. There are dozens of outfitters in the area, including a few located right in Gloucester, so it’s easy to tailor an outing to your needs, but whichever trip you choose, seeing the whales themselves are almost a gimme: the waters of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary just offshore are practically bursting with Humpback, Finbacks and Minke whales, not to mention sea turtles, dolphins, seals, sharks and more. The luckiest visitors might even catch a glimpse of calves as they learn to live independently from their mothers. For the budding marine biologists among you, it’s a must-see opportunity that truly never disappoints. September is considered peak season, but most excursions are available between May and October.
Rockport’s iconic red fishing shack. Photo: Rosapicci
Relax in Rockport
Just eight miles from Gloucester, the undeniably charming seaside town of Rockport is nestled near the tip of Cape Ann. Renowned by painters like Winslow Homer for the quality of its light, the town is the ideal place to let your creative side run free. Boulder-line paths allow you to explore serene wooded areas. At the same time, the Dock Square downtown district (though “district” might be a bit of an exaggeration) is brimming with more than thirty galleries, as well as the excellent Rockport Art Association and Museum. From there, you can enjoy shopping at boutiques for handmade jewelry or exploring Bearskin Neck, a quarter-mile stretch of locally-owned shops and lobster shacks. While there, be sure to snap your own photo of the iconic Motif No.1. This red fishing shack has appeared in movies like Finding Nemo and in paintings in galleries around the world.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site with the Friendship tall ship. Photo: Ritzka
Get Witchy
About a dozen miles south down the coast, the spooky city of Salem awaits. Well known for its historic witch trials, the area offers plenty of Halloween- and witch-themed performances and kitschy shops to enjoy, as well as a broad smattering of local history and art institutions worth a visit. Try the Halloween Museum or the Witch Village for spooky fun, before joining a guided walking tour of the Salem Heritage Trail, which winds throughout the city’s downtown district and combines stops at cemeteries, galleries, and iconic houses like the House of Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. You can even hop aboard the historic tall ship, Friendship of Salem, the highlight of the Salem Maritime Historic Site. Take a glass-blowing class during your visit.
Boston Financial Skyline. Photo: Nelson48
Beantown
Cape Ann serves up plenty of relaxing locales and classically New England destinations. Still, if you’re looking for a little urban to go with your outdoors, Boston is just an hour train ride or a thirty-mile drive from downtown Gloucester. A Red Sox game at Fenway Park is a must for first timers, while day trips to Faneuil Hall, an old trolley tour, or a visit to the incredible — but also infamous! — The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is equally compelling. For the tourist stuff, stick to the Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods, but there are 21 other enclaves to consider as you explore one of the most iconic and historic cities in the country. And, of course, if you’re feeling a little lonely, you can always sidle up to a stool at the bar on Beacon Street where everybody knows your name… It’s right across from the beautiful Public Garden, which is not to be missed.
Greg Donahue
James Donahue is a writer and outdoors enthusiast whose travels have taken him to 45 states and nearly as many countries around the world. When he's not hiking, biking, or fly fishing (or writing about all three), you can usually find him exploring the beaches up and down the East Coast with his wife and daughter.
