Winter Island Park
City Park
Write a Review 50 Winter Island Rd. Salem, MA 01970 978-745-9430 Official WebsiteGPS: 42.5282, -70.8692
Overview of Winter Island Park
Last Price Paid: $50
Reported by SpaceShipOne on 7/23/2024
Longest RV Reported: 35 feet
Reported by Jane on 6/26/2016
Number of Sites 28
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally May - Oct.
Elevation 0 ft / 0 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Reviews of Winter Island Park 17 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 10 Users
Last reported 7/23/2024
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 7/11/2023
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 6/3/2017
“Overpriced, showers are terrible!! Dumping is offsite with weird system via intercom and "dump slips"”
Reviewed 7/23/2024
| Nightly rate: | $50 |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
This is a terribly overpriced camping spot for basically staying in a busy parking lot. The "premium" spots are waterview and you get electricity and water, but the dump station is a drive away (about 1 mile or so) at the sewage facility, where you can enter only through a weird procedure. At checkin, they give you your paperwork wit... more
This is a terribly overpriced camping spot for basically staying in a busy parking lot. The "premium" spots are waterview and you get electricity and water, but the dump station is a drive away (about 1 mile or so) at the sewage facility, where you can enter only through a weird procedure.
At checkin, they give you your paperwork with ONE "dump slip", which is now your entry paper for the dumpstation. We stayed here 5 nights, so we had to ask them for four more slips because our tanks are small and we had to dump every day because we were forced to take showers in our own rig instead of using theirs (more on that later).
So with this "dump slip" you drive up to the sewage plants gate, then you have to talk to someone through the intercom who asks you where you came from (because the dump is only free for campers of Winter Island and Salem residents who must ID themselves...). Then they let you into the dump facility and then it is a maze of roads you have to navigate to finally find that dumpstation. So frustrating!!!
Next, the showers.
Oh my!!
For the price they are charging, they could do much better. In the women's shower, you enter and find two benches out in the open. One is behind a shower curtain, the other is in the open. The two showers have a curtain too, but now your shower stuff is sitting on the open bench for anyone to take if they want! No hook to hang anything, just the two open benches. So if you are naked in the shower and you see someone messing with your stuff on the bench... what do you do? Go confront them while naked? In fact, because there isn't a hanger, you would have to hang your towel over the shower rod and then once you are done with the shower, wrap yourself into the towel and dress in the open...? Or take each individual garment back to the shower to dress (because there is no hanger...?). Now, if you have a buddy of the same gender, you can have them stand outside the shower and hand you your stuff and they can lookout for your shower bag so it doesn't get stolen. But oh my, those showers are a DISGRACE for this place. At least the showers are free.
Lastly, if you have an inflatable kayak or paddle board and want to launch it from the dock by the ramp, you'll have to pay a launch fee (I think it's $5). In the office they said that if you launch from the beach, you won't need to pay anything.
We booked this place in advance without knowing of its condition. It's really not worth the money.
Location is okay (a bit out of the way) but the trolley with tourists comes by daily, so you are being watched as a circus attraction.....
Because of all the boaters launching their boats and day use parking, it can get quite noisy with motorcycles revving.
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Verizon 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Ocean Breeze is the Best!”
Reviewed 6/22/2024
| Nightly rate: | $50 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 13 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
We had a waterfront site and the view and ocean breeze were lovely. This is a busy place where locals also come to launch their boats and go to the beach. The staff were great and the entrance gatehouse folks were also very helpful. Everyone adhere to the quiet hour rules. The bathhouse was pathetic though. Yes I enjoyed a hot sho... more
We had a waterfront site and the view and ocean breeze were lovely. This is a busy place where locals also come to launch their boats and go to the beach. The staff were great and the entrance gatehouse folks were also very helpful. Everyone adhere to the quiet hour rules. The bathhouse was pathetic though. Yes I enjoyed a hot shower but there was little privacy as kids kept running in and out since it was Next to the bathroom and they inadvertently wandered in, so there was a notable lack of privacy. Also, every a time a toilet flushed you lost 75% of your water pressure. Overall the building is old and run down. Time for an upgrade!
Verizon 5G
Jennifer would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great location, some excellent sites, some not”
Reviewed 7/11/2023
| Nightly rate: | $42 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 5 |
| RV Length: | 18' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a great location to see Salem and to enjoy a beautiful view. The view is only afforded from the sites on the asphalt. There is a "field" of sites that is dirt and distant from the water. No sewer hook up at this location but you get a pass to dump tanks at the nearby sewage plant. Bathrooms are typical public park standard, a b... more
This is a great location to see Salem and to enjoy a beautiful view. The view is only afforded from the sites on the asphalt. There is a "field" of sites that is dirt and distant from the water. No sewer hook up at this location but you get a pass to dump tanks at the nearby sewage plant. Bathrooms are typical public park standard, a bit rough, though the fixtures were clean. Good ATT service. Pleasant staff.
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AT&T 5G
Jim & his T@B would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Ok To Visit Salem”
Reviewed 10/16/2022
| Nightly rate: | $48 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 48 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Ok spot for a quick visit to Salem. It’s just a dirt/muddy field with a short walk to showers. Very close to neighbors. W/E at our site. About 1.5 mile walk to the downtown area and Essex street, which we did walk and it wasn’t too bad. Huge raccoon problem, so make sure you guard your food! Showers aren’t terrible but could definitely... more
Ok spot for a quick visit to Salem. It’s just a dirt/muddy field with a short walk to showers. Very close to neighbors. W/E at our site. About 1.5 mile walk to the downtown area and Essex street, which we did walk and it wasn’t too bad. Huge raccoon problem, so make sure you guard your food! Showers aren’t terrible but could definitely use an upgrade. Clean enough, and free. Raccoons get into the bathroom if you leave the doors open. There is a dump station just a short drive on your way out, free for Winter Island campers. The front office lady will tell you instructions. Make sure you have a long hose, it’s a little far from the curb.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Really nice park”
Reviewed 10/12/2022
| Nightly rate: | $48 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 48 |
| RV Length: | 32' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
We really like this park. While we've visited before, we haven't camped here before, but this offered a lot. As others have said, the great location as in proximity to Boston, only adds to the offerings. Salem has plenty to do, and easily bikeable, but honestly, I could have sat by the ocean all three days and had a great time. We ... more
We really like this park. While we've visited before, we haven't camped here before, but this offered a lot. As others have said, the great location as in proximity to Boston, only adds to the offerings. Salem has plenty to do, and easily bikeable, but honestly, I could have sat by the ocean all three days and had a great time. We stayed on a grass site, which I much prefer over the concrete lot, though having the ocean outside your window does sound nice.
I only gave four stars because of the price, but this rate seems pretty typical of Massachusetts. Also only offers electricity/water, but allows access to the dump station at the nearby Salem water works facility.
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AT&T 5G
ELarew would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Avoid Site 10”
Reviewed 8/6/2022
| Nightly rate: | $45 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 16 |
Overall Rating
The location being on the water makes for this a great place to camp. However, in reality, it is a modified parking lot with hook ups. That's ok as long as you understand that it is with a water view. All of the spaces with a #16 as is 13-15. Just avoid 10, 10A, and anything along the large hanger. Site 10 has the entrance to the park ... more
The location being on the water makes for this a great place to camp. However, in reality, it is a modified parking lot with hook ups. That's ok as long as you understand that it is with a water view. All of the spaces with a #16 as is 13-15. Just avoid 10, 10A, and anything along the large hanger. Site 10 has the entrance to the park on one side, and the sidewalk to the beach on the other. It's a traffic zone. Very weird place to have an RV site.
The staff was VERY nice and very accommodating. It is walking distance to a nice beach area and a lighthouse. Be aware that getting to this park is challenging but doable. You need to drive through downtown Salem with narrow roads and some tight turns. It is worth the effort.
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Verizon 4G
Hoss & Elly May would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Parking lot camping with a tremendous view in a terrific area”
Reviewed 6/14/2022
| Nightly rate: | $45 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 10 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
I had a water view (as opposed to waterfront) site, which was essentially in the parking lot right at the entrance. Sound horrible? It wasn't due to the views, the surrounding park (old fort, beach, marina), the staff, the location, and the clean facilities. We ended up having a great stay here. I could see us coming back and staying l... more
I had a water view (as opposed to waterfront) site, which was essentially in the parking lot right at the entrance. Sound horrible? It wasn't due to the views, the surrounding park (old fort, beach, marina), the staff, the location, and the clean facilities. We ended up having a great stay here. I could see us coming back and staying longer to soak in more of the surrounding towns. There is a grassy area with RV parking as well, but those do not have views of the harbor.
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Verizon 4G
SB35 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Views”
Reviewed 11/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | $45 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 16B |
| RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We were lucky to get what I think is the best site. This site is on the water and your rear window will face the beautiful harbor. The sites are a little close and on pavement. The showers were very clean and worked well. You are within walking distance ( 1 1/2 miles) of downtown Salem. Lots of very close day trips from here.
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Verizon 4G
Kent would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Halloween in Salem!”
Reviewed 10/8/2021
| Days stayed: | 6 |
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| Site Number: | 52 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Nothing much to add that the other reviews haven't already stated. We booked 6 months in advance. The spots by the water have no privacy and are very tight. The spots in the field have a little more privacy, very tight, and no views. We booked site 52 which I think is the best because there's a couple of trees to the passen... more
Nothing much to add that the other reviews haven't already stated.
We booked 6 months in advance.
The spots by the water have no privacy and are very tight.
The spots in the field have a little more privacy, very tight, and no views.
We booked site 52 which I think is the best because there's a couple of trees to the passenger side which offers privacy. We actually enjoyed the site. No other site had privacy like this.
1.5 miles down into Salem. We actually walked everywhere, racking up 20 miles before the week was over.
The dump wasn't hard to get to, yes its tight, but nothing compared to the drive into Salem.
And with that, be sure to take the right streets. Not to scare you, but there was a camper there with the back rear of the RV sheared off from how narrow these roads are.
But we also saw a huge diesel pusher with a full size truck as a toad so I guess anything is possible.
Halloween in Salem was a treat, I just wish we would have done this years ago when the kids were smaller.
Lots of history in the area, and definitely worth stopping through.
VERY quiet at night!
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
farfromordinary would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Top Notch Location”
Reviewed 7/21/2021
| Nightly rate: | $47 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 9 |
| Site Number: | 50 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
This is a fascinating little park, which at some point in its long history added camping as an afterthought. The sites are located willy-nilly, seemingly placed wherever someone at some point in time thought: "oh, an RV could fit here!" None of the sites have any privacy. The RV sites in the 'RV field' - 42-52 are level and ring a c... more
This is a fascinating little park, which at some point in its long history added camping as an afterthought.
The sites are located willy-nilly, seemingly placed wherever someone at some point in time thought: "oh, an RV could fit here!" None of the sites have any privacy. The RV sites in the 'RV field' - 42-52 are level and ring a central dirt parking type area. Site 53 is in this area and has a bit more space than the others, but it is not level front-to-back (we noted RV making it work with blocks). These sites all had 50A & water.
RV sites 10/10A are very awkward; snuggled right between the entrance/exit roads to the day-use parking lot/boat ramp area. Sites 1-5 back up to an old Coast Gaurd building and face a pretty busy day-use parking lot. Sites 12-15D have a lovely view of the water/marina moorings from one end of your rig, but the other end backs up to the day-use parking lot. These sites are also quite snuggly and are completely asphalt pads (parking lot edges).
If we returned (we would!) we would try to snag one of sites 12-15D. If you're going to be crammed in, you might as well have cool views/boat activity viewable through your windshield. We do assume it would get noisy in the morning/throughout the day with cars coming and going, however.
Tent sites 11 and 35-41 are right next to the roadway and have zero privacy.
There is no dump station at this park. You are given an access code to use the water treatment center a bit less than a mile down the road. You cannot take a sewer buddy to the treatment center - entire rig or nothing. Also, big rigs will likely have an 'interesting' time entering the water treatment plant. We decided to forgo dumping after our stay due to the impossible turn radius for our 40'er into the entrance of the treatment plant when coming from Winter Island Park. The dump station at the water treatment facility is for use by Winter Island Park guests and city residents.
The bathrooms are usable. 2 showers per marked male/female gender and a few toilets for each. Not filthy, but not overly clean. Water has good pressure and nice temperature options. Day users also use these facilities.
There is a quaint little beach that can be used for sunbathing or wading around in. Mostly sand, but rock obstacles make their presence known.
Winter Island Park has an interesting history and a few signs around the park note various happenings in it. From local gallows to Coast Gaurd facility, it's now a well-loved local park.
There is a path linking the park to downtown Salem; about a 1.5 to the edges of city activity. You can also walk/bike to Salem Willows in less than a mile, where you'll find an old arcade, a few beach-type food stalls, and lovely views.
Getting through Salem and into the park wasn't the most fun drive we've done, but it was doable in our 40'er+towed.
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Verizon 4G
Liz & Jake would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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1 review not included in the overall rating
The reviews below are not up to Campendium's standards for quality and reliability and therefore are not counted toward the overall star rating. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
“Fraudulent campground....will not refund your money under any circumstance”
Reviewed 6/10/2020
Overall Rating
They owe me $353.50 and REFUSE to refund my credit card, They keep your money so be aware and DO NOT book a reservation through reserveamerica nor with them. They claim they do not handle refunds. Over 2 months and my money has not been refunded with over 18 calls to them and their agent (who never responds to calls or emails). I have ... more
They owe me $353.50 and REFUSE to refund my credit card, They keep your money so be aware and DO NOT book a reservation through reserveamerica nor with them. They claim they do not handle refunds. Over 2 months and my money has not been refunded with over 18 calls to them and their agent (who never responds to calls or emails). I have a complaint into the Attorney general in Massachusetts. This campground should NOT be in business. You have been told. Dave is the worst manager in the country. Been RVing for 24 years...never found anyone so dishonest.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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3 reviews
Salem Harbor – Aug 2016
In our transit south we decided to spend a night in one of our favorite places – Winter Island in Salem, MA. After a gorging meal of lobster at Woodman’s in Essex, I sat out around our campsite and...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Connectivity
- wifi: free
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- marina
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
Facilities
- general store
- group sites
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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