Peddocks Island Yurt #5, Hull, MA

Introduction / Overview: Elevated Island Camping at Peddocks Island Yurt #5

For Massachusetts residents dreaming of an island escape without sacrificing comfort, Peddocks Island offers a uniquely accessible “glamping” experience. Peddocks Island Yurt #5, part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, provides a perfect blend of rugged coastal wilderness and practical amenities. As one of the largest and most diverse islands in the harbor, Peddocks features an incredible 210 acres of varied habitats—from coastal forests and fresh water marshes to scenic beaches and historic military ruins.

The yurts on Peddocks Island are designed to bridge the gap between traditional tent camping and full-service lodging. They offer a semi-primitive experience with crucial modern touches that make an island overnight stay simpler and more secure for families or those new to island adventure. The canvas-sided cabins provide shelter from the elements, a solid floor, and a great home base for exploring the island’s expansive trail network and fascinating history. Unlike more rustic island campgrounds, Peddocks provides amenities like running water, flush toilets, and most notably for the yurts, electricity.

Location and Accessibility: Your Ferry Ride to Peddocks Island

Peddocks Island is a massive, varied piece of land situated in the outer Boston Harbor. Its campground, and Yurt #5 specifically, offers spectacular views and a true sense of being removed from the mainland while remaining just a short boat ride away.

Address: 832C+MG, Hull, MA 02045, USA (Geographic marker for the island area)

Accessibility to Peddocks Island is generally excellent during the recreational season. Visitors can reach the island via public park ferry service, which typically departs from the Hingham Shipyard. This is a significant convenience for local Massachusetts users, as Hingham provides free overnight parking for campers at the shipyard upon check-in, making the start of your adventure straightforward. Alternatively, private boaters can access the island, though anchoring off-island is required as there are no public boat slips or moorings at the dock.

Upon arrival at the pier, campers must transport their gear to the yurt site, which is approximately a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock. While the island features wide paved pathways on its east side, and the yurt area has mixed paved and dirt paths, guests should pack efficiently and be prepared to haul their supplies. The convenience of a dedicated ferry and parking makes Peddocks one of the most accessible island camping destinations in the Boston Harbor Islands.

Services Offered

The experience at Peddocks Island is distinctly enhanced by the facilities available, particularly for yurt renters.

Yurt Accommodation: Yurt #5 accommodates up to six people. It is a large, secure, canvas-sided structure furnished with bunk beds (no linens provided), a table, and benches. Tents are not permitted on yurt sites.
Electricity: A critical feature, yurts include electric service, allowing for small comforts like charging devices or operating a fan/lamp. Note that the electrical service is often limited and not guaranteed for reliability with medical devices.
Flush Toilets and Showers: Unlike many other harbor islands, Peddocks Island has running water, flush toilets, and even two showers available to campers on the lower level of the Visitor Center, a short walk from the campground area.
Composting Toilets: Supplemental composting or vault toilets are available in closer proximity to the individual campsite clusters.
Drinking Water: Potable, running water is available for drinking and refilling bottles at the Visitor Center and near the Chapel.
Charcoal Grills: Each yurt site features an outside picnic table and its own charcoal grill. Campers must bring their own charcoal.
On-Site Staff: Resident park staff live on the island during the visiting season, providing island supervision, emergency communication, and park management assistance.

Features / Highlights

Peddocks Island offers more than just a place to sleep; it is a full recreational and historical destination.

Fort Andrews: The island is home to the impressive ruins of Fort Andrews, a historic military defense post active from 1904 through World War II. Visitors can explore many remaining structures, including guardhouses and barracks, providing a unique historical walking experience.
Extensive Trails: Explore miles of hiking trails that wind through the island's four headlands, passing marsh, pond, and coastal ecosystems. Peddocks Island boasts the longest shoreline of any harbor island.
Beaches and Recreation: Enjoy scenic, unsupervised swimming beaches and excellent opportunities for picnicking, fishing, and birdwatching. Small, below-the-high-tide-line beach campfires are permitted, using only naturally fallen wood found on the island.
Wildlife Diversity: The island is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to various wildlife, including deer and turkeys, offering fantastic viewing opportunities for nature lovers.
The Chapel: The restored WWII-era Chapel is a beautiful historic structure and landmark on the island.
Scenic Views: The unique position of the island provides unparalleled views of the Boston skyline, Boston Light, and the surrounding harbor area.

Contact Information

Reservations for Peddocks Island Yurts, including Yurt #5, are managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in partnership with the National Park Service.

Address: 832C+MG, Hull, MA 02045, USA (Geographic reference)

Phone: For general park information, the public may contact the Boston Harbor Islands park services at (617) 223-8666. Camping reservations, including changes and cancellations, are typically managed through the DCR/ReserveAmerica system (reservations should be made online or by phone at 877-422-6762).

Ferry Tickets: Roundtrip ferry tickets must be purchased separately from the yurt reservation through the designated ferry operator, which has historically offered service from the Hingham Shipyard.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

Peddocks Island Yurt #5 is perfectly suited for Massachusetts residents who want to experience the magic of the Boston Harbor Islands without the full commitment of primitive tent camping. It is an ideal option for families, new campers, or anyone seeking a clean, secure, and weatherproof base for their island adventure. The convenience of public ferry access from Hingham, free camper parking, and the presence of flush toilets, showers, and potable water set Peddocks apart as the most family-friendly camping island in the harbor.

The "glamping" nature of the yurts—providing electricity, bunk beds, and a picnic area/grill—means you can focus more on exploring the island's miles of trails, the captivating ruins of Fort Andrews, and the stunning coastal views, and less on setting up a campsite. While you must still adhere to the "carry-in, carry-out" trash policy and bring all food and supplies, Yurt #5 offers a memorable, comfortable, and truly unique local getaway right on the edge of the Massachusetts coastline, representing a fantastic value for a Boston-area escape.