Carroll’s Campground, Rockport, MA

Introduction / Overview

For Massachusetts adventurers seeking a truly unique and isolated coastal camping experience, Carroll’s Campground, located on the historic Thacher Island off the coast of Rockport, offers an unforgettable destination. This is not a typical mainland RV park; it represents a basic, rustic, and profoundly scenic offshore retreat. Thacher Island itself is a spectacular natural landmark, home to the Cape Ann Light Station—a National Historic Landmark featuring the iconic Twin Lights—and is maintained in part as a National Wildlife Refuge.

The experience at Carroll’s Campground is defined by its remoteness and historical setting. Camping here means pitching a tent under the watch of the twin lighthouses, exploring miles of groomed walking trails, and embracing a minimal-amenity lifestyle. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing their own water, food, and cooking supplies. The reward is a chance to spend the night on an island steeped in maritime history and surrounded by the vast, beautiful Atlantic Ocean. While the camping facilities are rudimentary, they provide the necessary shelter to facilitate an extended stay on this breathtaking island.

A crucial note for Massachusetts residents planning a trip: the Thacher Island Association has made the difficult decision to close the campground for the entirety of the 2025 season out of an abundance of caution regarding a bird flu outbreak. This closure is temporary, and prospective visitors should always check with the Thacher Island Association for the most current operating status before making travel plans for subsequent seasons. When open, the campground provides a rare opportunity for local users to step back in time and connect with the raw, untamed beauty of the New England coast.

Location and Accessibility

Carroll’s Campground is uniquely situated on Thacher Island, an approximately 52-acre island located about one mile offshore from the town of Rockport, Massachusetts. This location is approximately 40 miles north of Boston, making the initial trip to the mainland departure point relatively straightforward for most Massachusetts residents via Route 128 North.

Accessibility is a defining feature of this location, as reaching the campground requires boat transport. Visitors must travel to the Granite Pier in Rockport, the departure point for the Thacher Island Association’s launch service. The association operates a launch on select days (historically, Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer season) to ferry visitors to the island. Reservations for the launch are mandatory and seats are often limited, emphasizing the need for advance planning. Alternatively, adventurous campers can access the island via personal kayak or private boat, using one of the available guest moorings. No dock is available for private boats, requiring a dinghy or small rowboat for landing on the ramp.

Once on the island, the campground is part of the overall Thacher Island property, which is split between the Town of Rockport and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It is a remote location, and campers must be prepared for the journey across the water and the logistical challenges of an offshore camping environment. The island is typically open to the public from June 1st through August 31st each year (weather permitting), with campers required to arrive before 5 PM.

Services Offered

The services offered at Carroll’s Campground reflect its designation as a rustic, isolated, and minimalist camping experience. It provides the essential infrastructure for an overnight stay but requires a high degree of self-reliance from the camper.

Basic Tent Camping: Offers designated camping areas for tent pitching, accommodating a limited number of guests.

Campground Fee Coverage: The camping fee (a nominal donation/fee per day per camper) is managed through the island keeper or associated organizations when the campground is open.

Shelter from the Elements: The site provides covered pavilions with picnic tables to offer protection from sun and rain.

Sanitation Facilities: Features a solar-powered composting toilet outhouse, emphasizing the environmentally sensitive nature of the island.

On-Site Keeper: A resident keeper is available on the island during the operating season to manage the site and assist with coordination.

Boat Mooring: Provides a few guest moorings adjacent to the ramp for private boats, with advance coordination required.

Public Access to Lighthouses and Trails: Campers have full access to the island's three miles of groomed walking trails and the opportunity to climb the North Tower of the Cape Ann Light Station during public hours.

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Features / Highlights

The primary appeal of Carroll’s Campground is not in its luxury amenities but in its unparalleled historic and natural features, offering an experience unavailable anywhere else in Massachusetts.

The Twin Lights (Cape Ann Light Station): Campers spend the night next to a National Historic Landmark—the only operating twin lighthouse in the United States—providing a stunning, unique backdrop.

Offshore Isolation: Provides a true “get away from it all” feel, with no car traffic, shops, or outside noise, offering peace and quiet broken only by the sounds of the ocean and seabirds.

National Wildlife Refuge: A portion of the island is managed as a wildlife refuge, offering incredible opportunities for birdwatching and observing coastal ecology.

Historical Exploration: The island features a small museum, a principal keeper’s house, and a graveyard, allowing campers to immerse themselves in maritime history.

Self-Reliance Emphasis: Appeals to experienced campers who enjoy a primitive, “carry-in/carry-out” style of camping, with requirements to bring all water and food.

No Open Fires: To protect the wildlife refuge, open fires are strictly prohibited, contributing to a clean and safe environment.

Scenic Vistas: Provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Rockport coastline, and potential sightings of harbor seals on the rocks below the lighthouse.

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Contact Information

For up-to-date information on the campground’s operational status and to make reservations (when the site is open), Massachusetts residents should contact the managing association and the island keeper.

Address: Thacher Island, Rockport, MA 01966, USA

Island Keeper Phone (for reservations and moorings, typically after June 1st): (508) 284-0144

Thacher Island Association Phone (for launch reservations/general inquiries): (617) 599-2590

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For adventurous Massachusetts residents, Carroll’s Campground on Thacher Island is a highly suitable option for a uniquely memorable and educational coastal retreat. Its suitability stems from its stark difference from standard mainland campgrounds. It offers a powerful blend of nature, history, and raw adventure that is both accessible from Greater Boston and distinctly "away from it all."

This is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts, experienced tent campers, and anyone looking for a digital detox. The necessary logistical steps—coordinating the launch, bringing all supplies, and adhering to strict refuge rules—filter out the casual visitor, ensuring that those who make the effort are deeply invested in the experience. Local users gain the rare opportunity to sleep under the Twin Lights, explore a National Historic Landmark, and experience a Massachusetts island as an overnight guest, not just a day-tripper. While the rustic nature, the required self-sufficiency, and the occasional environmental challenges (such as the temporary closure) mean it is not for everyone, for the local camper who values solitude, history, and a challenging coastal adventure, Thacher Island offers an unparalleled slice of New England wilderness.