How much does camping cost at Camp Nihan?

Camping fees at Camp Nihan range from $45/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Camp Nihan first-come first-served or reservation?

Camp Nihan accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Camp Nihan?

Camp Nihan is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Camp Nihan?

Yes, Camp Nihan has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Camp Nihan?

Fire policies at Camp Nihan: Firewood must be purchased on-site, and no open flame cooking is allowed inside or on cabin decks.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Camp Nihan have?

Camp Nihan has 7 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Camp Nihan?

Pets are not allowed at Camp Nihan. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Camp Nihan?

Camp Nihan offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Camp Nihan?

Popular activities at Camp Nihan include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Camp Nihan

3.42

12 reviews

131 Walnut Street, Saugus, Massachusetts, 01906, United States

Peace & Quiet

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

56 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Camping is limited t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Book on Massachusetts State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

56 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Camping is limited t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Book on Massachusetts State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Camp Nihan

$45.00 - $45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping at Camp Nihan is only possible through a Special User Permit, which includes a $45 non-refundable application fee.

Food Storage Locker Fee$7.00

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7812330834

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Campground Map

131 Walnut Street, Saugus, Massachusetts, 01906, United States

Camp Nihan

131 Walnut Street, Saugus, Massachusetts, 01906, United States

Nearby supplies

Supplies locations are not explicitly listed. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and bring essentials.

Driving directionsFrom Route 1 in Saugus, take Route 129 West, Walnut Street toward city of Wakefield. The entrance to the Camp will be on your left 2/10ths of a mile after the first traffic light. Look for a small green sign. Continue on the gravel road and park in the first parking lot or as instructed by DCR staff. Please drive slowly. From Route 129 take Route 1 South, Boston Exit and then follow the directions for Route 1 above.

The campground is accessible via paved roads (Route 1 and Route 129) and has a gravel road leading to the entrance. There are no seasonal closures explicitly mentioned, but drivers are advised to navigate carefully.

Weather at Camp Nihan

Best Time to Camp at Camp Nihan

Summer brings the warmest and most accessible conditions. Daytime highs run 70-85°F, with nighttime lows in the mid-50s to mid-60s. The pond is swimmable, the trails are dry, and wildlife activity peaks in the marshes. Weekends and holiday weeks (especially around July 4) draw moderate crowds. Weekday visits stay quieter. The camp closes or limits amenities outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day window.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season Memorial Day–Labor Day; best weather, trails dry and wildlife active.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Camping is limited to specific seasons; only available from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

About Camp Nihan

Camp Nihan sits on 65 acres of coastal plain forest and wetland near Saugus, Massachusetts. The campground has 7 sites total: group cabins that sleep 10-12 people and tent sites limited to 4 people each. Nightly fees run $45. Reservations are needed from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the only season the camp operates at full capacity.

Camp Nihan offers group camping cabins and tent-only sites, catering to families and groups seeking a secluded and nature-focused experience.

Historical Significance

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site sits nearby. The reconstructed 1640s ironworks includes blacksmithing demonstrations and original colonial-era buildings. It's a short trip from camp.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest and most accessible conditions. Daytime highs run 70-85°F, with nighttime lows in the mid-50s to mid-60s. The pond is swimmable, the trails are dry, and wildlife activity peaks in the marshes. Weekends and holiday weeks (especially around July 4) draw moderate crowds. Weekday visits stay quieter. The camp closes or limits amenities outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day window.

ElevationThe gently rolling terrain of Camp Nihan creates natural amphitheaters and cozy hollows throughout the property, offering varied microclimates and diverse camping experiences across its woodland landscape.

Natural Features and Scenery65 acres of woodland forest, marsh, and a spring-fed pond. The Saugus River flows through the property, providing diverse habitats.[1][2][3][4]

Geological RegionCamp Nihan's remarkable 65-acre landscape showcases the diverse beauty of Massachusetts' coastal plain ecosystem. Here, dense woodland forests transition seamlessly into vibrant marshlands, creating a mosaic of habitats shaped by millennia of natural forces. The property's crown jewel, a pristine spring-fed pond, bubbles up from underground aquifers, while the meandering Saugus River has carved its course through the terrain over countless generations. This unique convergence of forest, wetland, and waterway creates an ecological crossroads where great blue herons stalk the shallows, mallards nest among the reeds, foxes hunt along forest edges, white-tailed deer browse in clearings, and river otters play in the flowing waters.

Scenic ViewsViews include natural landscapes of forests, marshes, and a pond, offering a serene woodland escape.

Lodging & AccommodationsGroup cabins accommodate 10-12 people with bunk beds, tables, benches, refrigerators, and heating via pellet stoves. No additional tents are allowed on cabin sites.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

1:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Stay Limit

Campers are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Campsites are limited to four adults or two adults and their children.

Groups

Group cabins accommodate up to 10-12 people. Each group site requires an adult or counselor present.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutGroup cabins have bunk beds and pellet stove heating. Tent sites are designated tent-only. Reviewers note limited parking. No open-flame cooking is allowed at sites.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are made through the Massachusetts State Parks Special Use Permit system.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability is not mentioned; all reservations require the Special User Permit application process.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations incur a $10 fee. For day-of-arrival cancellations, a phone call is required, and the first night's camping fee is forfeited along with the $10 cancellation fee. Reserved campsites are held until 8:00 AM on the day after the scheduled arrival date.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible flush toilets and showers. However, no specific details about additional accessibility features are available.

Site SizeCabins accommodate up to 10-12 people, while tent-only sites have a maximum capacity of 4 people.

Total Campsites7 campsites

Recommended SitesCabins accommodate 10-12 people; tents are limited to two per site, with a maximum of four adults or two adults and accompanying children.

Best CampsitesGroup tent campsites and cabins recommended for organized groups; large site close to parking with wooded feel and rugged terrain.[3][4][5]

Need help booking Camp Nihan?

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Amenities available

Camp Nihan offers a combination of group cabins and tent sites amidst a 65-acre facility featuring a mix of woodland forest, marsh, and a spring-fed pond. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and potable water. "Accessible flush toilets and showers are available nearby," according to authoritative sources. Cabins come with bunk beds for 10-12 campers and refrigerators, but linens and eating utensils are not provided. The heating is via pellet stove. "Potable water is available at the side of Sprague Lodge, and seasonally at the side of the Clarke Cabin," but visitors are advised to bring one gallon of water per person per day. Pets are strictly prohibited.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Firewood available

Lodging and accommodations

Group Sites

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Camp Nihan offers a variety of activities, geared towards nature enthusiasts and families. These include hiking, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities within the cabins such as board games and books.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Beach activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHazards include wildlife encounters and limited reliability of electrical wattage in cabins. Firewood must be purchased onsite.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyFirewood must be purchased on-site, and no open flame cooking is allowed inside or on cabin decks.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are not explicitly listed; however, the campground's phone number is provided (781-231-1203) for inquiries.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned, though visitors are likely required to manage their own waste.

Water FeaturesThe campground includes a spring-fed pond and the Saugus River running through the property.

Cell CoverageExcellent 5G coverage for T-Mobile and Verizon, verified by users.[3]

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.4

12 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Camp Nihan has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Review Summaries

Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Perfect for group camping and learning about local habitat; clean, recently renovated facilities in some reviews; access to nature and wildlife across 65 acres; borders larger Breakheart...

Based on 12 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Organized youth groups, scout troops, or family reunions wanting a structured nature base close to Boston. Cabins with bunk beds, pellet stoves, and a spring-fed pond work well for first-time campers, and Breakheart Reservation is a short hike away for swimming and extra trails.

Skip if

Individual families or couples looking for a casual booking will hit a wall fast: the Special Use Permit system, no pets, no alcohol, no swimming on-site, no open flames, and no biking make this genuinely unsuitable outside an organized group context.

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Loraine Campground At Harold Parker State Forest

133 Jenkins Road, ANDOVER, Massachusetts, 01810, United States

Loraine Campground sits within Harold Parker State Forest near Andover, offering 91 campsites across terrain shaped by ancient glaciers. Sites range from $17 to $54 per night and accommodate tents, RVs, and groups. The campground provides showers, flush toilets, electric and water hookups, and a dump station. Reviewers consistently praise the spacious sites and clean facilities, though some note traffic noise near the entrance and occasional disturbances from nearby road activity.