2021 MA Rally - Salisbury Beach State Park 7/16-18 CANCELLED

[JunkyBurrittos]

Edited to reflect: cancelled to high demand/zero availability as well as excessive Covid-related pricing for out-of-state visitors. Please see post #21 for further details.

Edited to reflect: RESERVATIONS FOR MA STATE PARKS OPENING ON 2/15, RESERVE 4 MONTHS EARLY, SO BY 3/16 AT NEW WEBSITE:
https://massdcrcamping.reserveameri...groundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32619

Please see post 7 for further details.

Edited again 2/15 to reflect 2021 fees released. Ugh, not pretty. Please see post 15 for details.

Hi all. I'm posting late about the long-talked-about and anticipated MA Rally. This is still tentative because I am STILL waiting for MA to open up reservations for state parks due to the lingering COVID restrictions. The date we have discussed and planned on is the weekend of 7/16-7/18 and I wanted to throw that out to everyone now as a "Save the Date". Please keep your eyes peeled for an update that they have opened reservations. As this is a popular campground, those interested will likely need to jump quickly at grabbing a spot.

As a bit of either fortuitous or un-fortuitous timing, the NH rally has just been moved to an adjacent weekend. I'll leave this rally intact just in case those travelling to the area would like to piggyback one rally upon the other for a true New Englander mountains-to-beach adventure.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is ocean beach and river adjacent, with a very nice kayak put-in for marsh kayaking as well. Excellent birding. Water and electric hook ups. Dump station on-site. The campground is a bit large so bring your bicycles to get to the beach more quickly! Once we know reservations have opened up I'll add to this post with pot-luck and possibly lobster night options as well.

Once reservations have opened, make your reservation here: https://massdcrcamping.reserveameri...groundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32619

Information on Salisbury Beach can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/locations/salisbury-beach-state-reservation

SB Boardwalk

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Campground

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Camper

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Beach

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Kona Marsh

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Marsh Sunset

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Beach Path

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Kayak

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

SB Benches

• JunkyBurrittos
• Feb 3, 2021

 

[nhcaveman]

We tried to book 2 site in late October, actually the off season and regardless what the state website said, the sites were $80. for out of state residents. each per night after all the fees were added in. My friend even called and tried to explain what it said on the state website regarding off season rates, it didn't matter. We went to Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH instead. Don't get me wrong, I like Salisbury Beach, I grew up in Newburyport and camped more times then I can remember, but it isn't worth that kind of money. But, we'd be happy to attend if the price is more reasonable. I think they jacked them up due to Covid 19 and only filling every other site. We'll see what happens.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

We tried to book 2 site in late October, actually the off season and regardless what the state website said, the sites were $80. for out of state residents. each per night after all the fees were added in. My friend even called and tried to explain what it said on the state website regarding off season rates, it didn't matter. We went to Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH instead. Don't get me wrong, I like Salisbury Beach, I grew up in Newburyport and camped more times then I can remember, but it isn't worth that kind of money. But, we'd be happy to attend if the price is more reasonable. I think they jacked them up due to Covid 19 and only filling every other site. We'll see what happens.

Yes, that's exactly what they did for 2020. They made the decision to allow out of state visitors but to de-incentivize oos travel by increasing that fee. They also lost a chunk of the season before opening and only opened up for 50% capacity so they were trying to survive financially. We'll see where it lands when they open this back up.

 

[JimmyM]

Count me and Emily in as interested.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Count me and Emily in as interested.

Yay yay!!

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

FYI from the state website:

We are working hard behind the scenes to program information for the 2021 camping season. We anticipate offering reservations from May to October at many facilities. However, reservations are not currently available, but will be soon. Your patience is appreciated as we work to ensure the 2021 camping season is fun and safe for everyone. Please check our website periodically for updates and sign up for a future email communication that will detail the opening of reservations.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Ok, so new information from the state. Good news and bad news. The good news is that reservations for MA State Parks opens on Monday 2/15, and you can make reservations 4 months early so for those arriving Friday, I highly recommend you make your reservations by 3/16. You may even want to consider making them earlier for potentially better site selection.

The bad news is that there are currently in place some traveler restrictions for out-of-state travelers. This boils down to having to fill out a Massachusetts Travel form and quarantining for 10 days prior to arrival OR showing negative COVID results captured within 72 hours of arrival. Unless you are reading this from Hawaii, which is currently the only state considered to be lower risk. But getting your camper here from Hawaii might present its own challenges. Aloha!

Travel restriction information and form is located here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

This restriction has been in place since August 2020, unbeknownst to me, and I've hopped willy nilly in and out of the state. And it could change at any time. But if you are interested in this rally please just understand this could be a caveat of attending. Inconvenient, but certainly not insurmountable.

 

[JimmyM]

Emily and I will be there. We'll arrive on Friday, I think. Maybe Thursday night.

 

[Davylee]

Okay will put this on the calendar hopefully MA will catch up and realize ME has a lower infection rate, or add a vaccine option.

 

[Sjm9911]

Im thinking about it . If i dont have anything else booked. Or if i can get off.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Okay will put this on the calendar hopefully MA will catch up and realize ME has a lower infection rate, or add a vaccine option.

I knoooowwwww!!! I saw the part where the restrictions only apply to lower risk states and thought woo hoo!! No problem. But then they only consider Hawaii to qualify! Crazy crazy.

I’m so glad you guys are going to try!

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Im thinking about it . If i dont have anything else booked. Or if i can get off.

Yay yay! I hope you can make it!

 

[Lug_Nut]

from post #3

They also lost a chunk of the season before opening and only opened up for 50% capacity so they were trying to survive financially.

This is a state park? The Commonwealth of Massachusetts would have gone bankrupt except for the income provided by the camping fees at our state parks? We ARE in deep doo-doo...

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

from post #3 This is a state park? The Commonwealth of Massachusetts would have gone bankrupt except for the income provided by the camping fees at our state parks? We ARE in deep doo-doo...

Yes, it is a state park. No... I didn't say all that... or maybe the bankruptcy part is what you are saying? I will say it had to make some sort of fiscal sense for them to attempt to open the parks at all, and they lost almost half their season and then opened at only 50% capacity.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Ok, now that reservations have opened, we can finally see where rates for 2021 land. Ugh. Still not so pretty thanks to COVID. In full disclosure, rate information from the reservation website is as follows: Campsite Fees at Salisbury Beach State Reservation $22 for MA resident / $70 non-resident; PLUS $4 water and $6 electric hookups at all sites; PLUS $3 surcharge to benefit the Salisbury Beach Trust Fund. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE.

 

[shelmily]

So for me it would be $83 a night, plus a $4.50 reservation fee? This is all only if they lift restrictions before then. Sorry, I don't see us making this one.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

So for me it would be $83 a night, plus a $4.50 reservation fee? This is all only if they lift restrictions before then. Sorry, I don't see us making this one.

Yeah Mike, I'm honestly reevaluating at this point. There was a little out of state surcharge two years ago but nothing like now during COVID times. I'm not sure this represents a good value for folks. I'm open to keeping this going if folks want to go, but understand if this is priced out. I'm reviewing other private campgrounds for additional options as we speak.

 

[Sjm9911]

Lol, disney prices!

 

[shelmily]

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying higher prices for a nice campground (Shelby was very excited that they have a beach and all). It's just that until I pay for gas to haul my mansion up there and back and pay those prices for three nights stay, I am looking at over $500, and that's not including food or shopping if I bring the wife. That's a lot of change for what amounts to two days of relaxation. I understand charging a little extra for out of stater's, but this is a bit ridiculous what they are charging. Sorry, I just can't do this one.

 

[JunkyBurrittos]

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying higher prices for a nice campground (Shelby was very excited that they have a beach and all). It's just that until I pay for gas to haul my mansion up there and back and pay those prices for three nights stay, I am looking at over $500, and that's not including food or shopping if I bring the wife. That's a lot of change for what amounts to two days of relaxation. I understand charging a little extra for out of stater's, but this is a bit ridiculous what they are charging. Sorry, I just can't do this one.

I agree, I think this price is steep for a state park with very little in terms of amenities, other than the great location on the beach. There are some decent private campgrounds around beaches in MA for less, but then again they are not right on the water, and they're still in the $70ish range give or take. Which means you hop in your car at the break of dawn to get to the beaches before the lots are full by 9:00 am and you pay the $25 or so they make you pay to park in some huge lot where you still have to drag your beach paraphernalia a quarter mile plus to the beach. Here at Salisbury, I loved just hopping on my bike any time of day or night and being on the beach in a minute or two.

I didn't know if you were already dragging your mansion to NH for that rally, as you're already kind of all in in terms of gas prices at that point. Make sure to talk to Jimmy if you are going to NH.