Cape Ann Camp Site

Campground Guidelines

Everything you need to know for a great stay. Please take a few minutes to read through — following these guidelines helps everyone enjoy Cape Ann Camp Site to the fullest.

Quick Reference

🕛 Check-In

  • Begins at 12:00 noon
  • May/June: arrive by 7pm
  • July/August: arrive by 8pm
  • September: arrive by 7pm
  • October: arrive by 6pm
  • Please do not arrive early — we have no waiting area

🕚 Check-Out

  • By 11:00am on your departure day
  • Late check-out is not available

📅 Minimum Stays

  • Holiday weekends & last weekend of June through Labor Day:
  • Friday arrival = 3-night minimum
  • Saturday arrival = 2-night minimum
  • Maximum stay: 2 weeks (seasonal sites by waitlist only)

🔇 Quiet Hours

  • 10:00pm – 7:00am every night
  • Keep radios, TV, and conversation low
  • No generators at any time
  • Run A/C only when at your site
  • Violations may result in immediate removal without refund

💳 Payment

  • Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx, or traveler’s checks
  • Personal checks not accepted
  • Payment due upon arrival

📶 Wi-Fi

  • Available on all hookup sites
  • Available on some non-hookup/tent sites (not all)
  • Free of charge

❌ Cancellation Policy

⚠️ Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will result in the forfeiture of your deposit.

📞 Cancellations must be made by phone only. Email and Facebook message cancellations will not be accepted.

✅ 14+ Days Notice

  • Give at least 14 days (2 weeks) notice
  • Receive a 90% refund on your deposit (excluding taxes and fees)
  • Call our office to cancel: (978) 283-8683

⏰ Less Than 14 Days

  • Your deposit will be held on file
  • Can be applied to a visit later in the same season
  • Or carried over to the following season
  • No cash refunds with less than 14 days notice

🔥 Fires & Firewood

⚠️ Important: Due to the Emerald Ash Borer outbreak, you may NOT bring firewood from home. All wood must be prepackaged and kiln-dried, available at the camp store or local grocery stores.

🔥 Fire Rules

  • Small wood fires permitted for cooking only (Mass Reg. 7.2.1)
  • Use the rock fireplaces only — do not move them
  • Fires must be fully out by 11pm
  • Use barbeques or grills on the ground, not on picnic tables
  • Open fires are not permitted in the Big Rig section

🪵 Firewood

  • Do NOT bring firewood from home or your backyard
  • It is against Massachusetts law to move firewood across county lines
  • All firewood must be prepackaged and kiln-dried
  • Wood available for purchase at the camp office
  • Also available at local grocery stores
  • Do not cut trees or branches for any purpose

🐾 Pets & Dogs

🐾 Pet Rules

  • Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times
  • Please pick up after your pet
  • Dogs must not be left outside at your site unattended
  • Only registered campers may bring pets
  • We do not require vaccination records but recommend traveling with them

🐕 Barking Policy

  • If your dog is a frequent barker, please do not leave them alone in your unit
  • If barking disturbs other campers, you will be called back to your site
  • Repeat disturbances may result in being asked to leave

🚿 Facilities

🚿 Washrooms & Showers

  • Washroom buildings located throughout the park
  • An adult must accompany small children
  • Showers are coin-operated: $0.25 for 5 minutes of hot water
  • Dishwashing allowed in outside sinks only
  • All campground buildings are smoke-free

🗑️ Trash & Recycling

  • Central garbage dumpster and recycling bins next to the office parking area
  • Please separate your trash and recyclables
  • Do not leave trash at your site
  • Do not burn trash in fireplaces

🔌 Electric & Sewer

  • Use of an electric hot water heater requires 50 Amp service
  • Laundry machines are prohibited while connected to sewer
  • Two dump stations on site
  • Port-a-potties must be emptied at the dump station
  • Gray water may not be drained on the ground — use the dump station

📱 Charging & Devices

  • Free device charging station at the office
  • Do not leave electronic devices unattended
  • Electric vehicle charging is strictly prohibited on our property
  • Our electrical system is not designed for EV charging
  • EV charging stations are available in downtown Gloucester (~10 min away)
  • Campers caught charging EVs on-site will be charged $25/night

🚗 Vehicles & Transportation

🚗 Vehicle Rules

  • Speed limit: 6 mph throughout the campground
  • Identification tag must be visibly displayed at all times
  • All vehicles must have current registration
  • All motorized vehicles require insurance on our property
  • No washing of vehicles or RVs on-site

🚲 Bikes & Other Vehicles

  • Only bicycles are permitted for riding in the park
  • No bike riding through the office area or after dark
  • Massachusetts law: riders 12 and under must wear helmets
  • Skateboards, scooters, minibikes and similar vehicles are NOT allowed

🏖️ Beach & Parking

🏖️ Beach Parking Reservations Required from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations can be made up to 10 days in advance. No refunds for unused spots or rain.

Make your beach parking reservation at: gloucester.blinkay.app

🌊 Wingaersheek Beach

  • Just 1 mile away
  • Gorgeous white sand
  • Very child-friendly
  • Parking reservation required in season

🏄 Good Harbor Beach

  • 4 miles away
  • Great for swimming and surfing
  • Hours: 8am – 5pm
  • Parking reservation required in season

📋 Other Rules

🪑 Picnic Tables

  • Each site has one picnic table — please keep it on your site
  • Do not use tables as a surface for barbeques or grills

🚫 Day Visitors

  • Day guests and visitors are not permitted
  • Day visitors can negatively impact those camping around you
  • If you have local friends, please visit them off-property

🪧 Signs & Flags

  • We strive to keep Cape Ann a stress-free environment for all guests
  • The posting of political signs or flags of any kind is prohibited

🌳 Trees

  • Do not cut trees or branches for any purpose
  • Do not bring firewood from outside county lines
  • See Fires & Firewood section for details on the Emerald Ash Borer