Perkins Island Camping

Camping at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary means Perkins Island: 3 tent-only primitive sites on an island in the Ipswich River that you can reach only by canoe. Sites cost $120 a night, are open to current Mass Audubon members only, and must be booked in advance. The 2026 season ran May 23 to October 12, 2026. Each booking covers one site for up to six people, one canoe with paddles and life jackets, one bundle of firewood a night, and six bags for human waste.

Mass Audubon calls Perkins Island the sanctuary's only camping area and one of the North Shore's best-kept secrets. The sites sit on the riverbank under pines, generously spaced, level and shady. The trade-off is effort: no car access, no running water, no electricity, no toilets and no staff on the island.

What a Booking Includes

• One campsite for up to 6 campers, children included.
• One canoe rental with paddles and life jackets. Extra canoes are $30 a night. Only Mass Audubon canoes may be used; no personal boats.
• One bundle of firewood per night, picked up at the visitor center. More bundles are for sale. You can't bring outside firewood.
• Six landfill-safe bags for human waste, since there are no toilets on the island.

Getting to the Island

Check in at the visitor center between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and collect the canoe lock key, paddles and life jackets. Mass Audubon can't take late check-ins. Then carry your gear, food and firewood 0.4 mile from the parking lot to the canoe landing; there's a wheeled cart to help. Load the canoe and paddle to the island.

Each canoe can carry up to 600 pounds including gear, and no more than three adults or two adults and two children. It takes two people to lift a canoe on and off the rack. River conditions change through the season with water levels and beaver activity, so you may meet an obstruction that needs a short carry.

On the Island

Each riverfront site has a picnic table and a fire pit. Set fires only in your site's pit, use only the sanctuary's firewood, and put fires out with water. When Topsfield, Wenham or Hamilton bans open fires for wildfire risk, campfires may be prohibited for a while, so pack a stove you can cook on without one.

There's no running water, so bring all you'll drink and cook with. Pack out every bit of trash, and carry human waste, toilet paper included, in the bags you're given. The island isn't staffed. In a true emergency, call 911.

Camping Rules

• Camp only at your assigned site and carry your camping permit.
• Canoes may not enter Bunker Meadows.
• Everyone in a canoe wears a Coast Guard-rated Level III life jacket.
• No dogs or other pets (service animals welcome).
• No fishing, swimming or feeding wildlife.
• No drugs, alcohol, smoking, fireworks or firearms.
• Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am; headset radios only.

Check-Out

Be off the island by 11:00 am. Put the canoe back on the right rack, then return the lock key, paddles and life jackets to the visitor center by noon at the latest.

Booking, Membership and Refunds

Reservations go through Mass Audubon's online reservation portal, linked from its Perkins Island page. The person booking must hold a Mass Audubon membership that's active on the booking date and through the stay, and must pay in full by credit card. Cancel at least 21 days ahead for a full refund; later cancellations aren't refunded.

Every camper signs Mass Audubon's watercraft waiver at check-in, with a parent or guardian signing for minors. Paper copies are at the visitor center; Mass Audubon asks that you don't email them ahead. Schools, scout troops and other groups need a special permit arranged in advance; call 978-887-9264.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

• Good for a first canoe-camping trip: a canoe included, and a staffed visitor center at each end of the stay.
• Good for families: each site takes up to six people, children included.
• Maybe skip if you want a roof and a bed; the members-only Innermost Cabin ($65 a night) is a short walk from the parking lot.
• Maybe skip if you're not a member — Perkins Island is members only.