Camping Reservations & Permits

Campsite Reservations

Camping permits are required and can be reserved up to six months in advance on line or by calling toll-free: see More below. Campsites are designated as individual or group sites. Individual campsite permits are not site-specific. Upon check-in, an island ranger will assign you to a campsite.

To ensure that many campers enjoy the park, campers are limited to 14 cumulative days of occupancy between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Out of season camping is available by special permit: see More below.

Forgot to plan ahead? To receive a permit within 48 hours of desired visit on a week night (Monday through Thursday only), call the Ranger line (see More below) before going to the island. We will contact an on-island ranger to see if a campsite is available. If there is space, you will be instructed to register at the island. All fees and service charges apply.

Group Permits

Reservations are required for groups using a group campsite. There is one group site on each of the following islands: Grape (25 people max.), Bumpkin (25 people max.), and Lovells (15-30 max).

See Bring a Group in the More section below for tips on traveling to the islands with a group of 10 or more.

Fees and Service Charges

All camping charges include a non-refundable reservation transaction service charge and a per-night campsite fee. The 2011 non-refundable reservation transaction charge is $9.25. Questions concerning this charge may be addressed to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation at 617-626-1480 or on the DCR Camping Website.

The camping fee for an individual campsite (1-4 people) is $6.00 per night; a group site is $25 per night for groups of 1 to 25 people. The fee for more than 25 people is $1/person per night, plus a $25 group charge.

For example, here are the fees for a two-night camping trip during 2011 for a group of four, transported by park ferry (ferry fares are round-trip and include transfer to inter-island boats; rates are subject to change):

• Family Four Pack Ferry Tickets: $39.00
  - two adults (ages 12 to 64)
  - two children (ages 3 to 11)
• Camping Reservation Transaction Charge: $9.25
• Individual Campsite: $6.00 per party

TOTAL: $54.25

The America the Beautiful Pass (National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass) may not be used on the Boston Harbor Islands.