Wompatuck State Park sits on a large chunk of underdeveloped land in Hingham, Massachusetts. This 3,500-acre park is the perfect destination for your next RV vacation, whether you're looking for some off-road biking adventures, a good place to kayak, or simply the chance to reconnect with nature. Visitors can choose from over 200 campsites, and nearly a dozen recreational activities to enjoy while staying at the park. About half of the campsites have electrical hook-ups, but they are all suitable for RVs.
The area is also recognized as a historic site, with a deep cultural history dating back to the original Native American owner of the land, Chief Josiah Wompatuck. Early settlers used the land in the 1700s, but it didn't see much development until the residents of Hingham began to develop it in the 1800s. However, the land didn't stay developed long and was all but abandoned when the Civil War began. The area was later utilized during World War II as an ammunition storage depot.
Besides the park facilities, much of the land is still undeveloped today, which is why it's also a nature lover's paradise. When you take an RV trip to Wompatuck State Park, you can enjoy many thrilling activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, and cross-country skiing.
Wompatuck State Park is located in eastern Massachusetts, just half an hour south of Boston. Several routes around the area lead to the park, but the main entrance is located on Union Street. The easiest way to access union street is to exit off of MA-228 onto Middle Street, which turns into Union Street.
Many of the roads inside the park are paved, but they are not all suitable for vehicles. Some of the paved roads are only for bikes or pedestrians. Still, the roads that do allow cars, RVs, and trailers, are mostly straight and level, so you won't have any hard turns to make.
The only roads that may be difficult to maneuver for rigs are the campground roads since the campground is organized into loops, which may prove difficult for larger motorhomes. The roads within the campground are also all one-way, so be sure not to go the wrong way and cause congestion. If you want to be able to get everywhere in the park, you'll need to bring bikes or be ready to travel by foot, since the trails are the only way to reach practically every corner.
There is parking at the campground, at each campsite, and at the visitor's center, but besides that parking is very limited, so bringing an extra car to get around the park may not be all that useful. Many visitors choose to utilize bikes instead.
Union Street, the road used to enter the park, runs straight through most of the width of the park, including up to the campground entrance, making finding the campground a breeze. The campground at Wompatuck State Park is divided into an electrical and non-electric camping area. The electrical portion consists of 127 campsites with 20/30/50-amp electrical hook-ups, while the non-electrical portion consists of 119 dry campsites. Neither area has water or sewer hook-ups, but water spigots are readily available throughout the campground, and there are centrally located bathrooms and a dump station.
Each site also provides an ample amount of shade, so you'll be able to keep the RV cool during the warm summer months. Your pets are welcome to join you during your stay so long as they are leashed. Several trails can be accessed from the campground, and just across the road on the other side of Union Street is a vast network of biking trails, stretching for 12 miles. Because of the brutal winter Massachusetts often faces, the campgrounds are only open from early May to mid-October. During this time, the campsites can be reserved for up to 14 consecutive days. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
Since there are so many sites on the property, you may be able to get a spot without a reservation, but reservations are recommended during the peak visitation months. If you don't make a reservation, try to get to the park as close to check-in time as possible, because the remaining sites not reserved are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you're a hunter, make sure to pack your shotgun or bow and arrow with you in your Sprinter van because hunting is permitted in some regions of the park. The only restrictions are that you can only use a shotgun or bow and arrow, and you cannot hunt deer. While this may turn some visitors off of the idea of hunting, there is still plenty of other game to hunt, including rabbits. Any hunter knows the thrill of the hunt is half the fun anyway. Make sure you have the proper license before hunting at the park, though. You may need to take a class before being able to get a hunting license in the state of Massachusetts.
Snowmobiling can be a fun way to see the winter wonderland that surrounds Wompatuck State Park during the winter months. There usually aren't many people here during the winter, and that is why visitors love the peace and quiet the winter affords. The trails on the west side of the park are open to snowmobiling, but you must have a registered snowmobile to bring with you to the park. Even if you've been hiking or biking the trails before, you should practice extra caution during the winter months when the snow covers the trails. Slippery trails with heavy snow are often hard to maneuver.
The trails at Wompatuck State Park are good for more than just biking and hiking. Many of the trails are also suitable for horseback riding, although there are no equestrian camps within the park. The trails can be explored at any time of year, but since there are no horse-friendly camping options within the park, many people choose to take a day trip during the winter when the trails are less congested. If you are towing your horses in a trailer, Wompatuck State Park is the place to stop for a ride along your route.
Although Wompatuck State Park has hundreds of RV-friendly sites, you may have a hard time parking a large rig or finding a free spot during the busy summer months. Luckily, there are several alternative options for RV camping near the park. Myles Standish State Forest is a short 30 minute jet from Wompatuck and offers hundreds of RV and trailer-friendly campgrounds from April to October. There are no hookups available here, so if you're looking for finer amenities, or if you're looking to RV in the winter, you may want to consider staying at one of the nearby RV resorts.
Due to its location next to the ocean, the numerous ponds and swamps, and oak-conifer forests, Wompatuck State Park is teeming with birds. In fact, over 200 species of birds nest, breed, and migrate through the park. Keep your eyes to the sky to see black-billed and yellow-billed cuckoo, Louisiana waterthrush, barred owl, hairy woodpecker, Acadian flycatchers, and hundreds more. The best areas for birding are along the marked trails or right in the campground area. One thing is for sure; you won't want to leave the binoculars behind in the class A while you wander through the park.
Educational programs are offered at Wompatuck State Park during the in-season months, typically from May to October. The programs teach visitors about different wildlife species and plants that call the park home, including over 250 species of birds. Many of the programs also touch on the rich history of the park, and visitors of all ages can enjoy the opportunity to learn. The educational programs are great for families with young kids, as they'll surely enjoy the relaxed, engaging environment, and who doesn't like learning more about their favorite animals?
Make sure to pack your bike in your Airstream before heading to Wompatuck State Park, which is known for its several miles of biking trails. Whether you're looking for a smooth bike ride on a paved trail or a more rigorous mountain biking adventure, you can find exactly what you're looking for on the trails of Wompatuck. And best of all, you get to enjoy the natural beauty of the area as you bike through it. If you're looking for a moderate challenge, try the Whitney Spur, a nine-mile trail that takes you throughout much of the park.
Ponds, rivers, and streams are plentiful within Wompatuck State Park, providing RV visitors with plenty of boating and fishing opportunities. If you brought your canoe or kayak with you, head to the boat dock on the Arron River Reservior to access the water. Fishing is also allowed in certain parts of the park, with common catches, including bluegill and bass. No motorized boats of any kind are permitted in the park, but many visitors enjoy the relaxing and leisurely experience the pond provides.
Lace-up the hiking boots, fill up your water bottle, and leave the pop-up behind you. There are miles of trails to be explored at Wompatuck State Park, and many of the trails are family-friendly and enjoyable for campers of all ages. On the trails, you'll pass through thickly forested areas, cross the Aaron River, take in the sights of numerous ponds, and maybe even see some local wildlife. One of the most popular hikes in the park is the Health Heart Loop. This easy-going trail is one-mile long, and it is perfect for beginners. The trail is paved, so you can even bring the stroller along.
