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From Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor, campers and day-trippers can just make out the outline of Boston in the distance. The island may technically still be in the bounds of the Hub, but it feels like a new place altogether.
Originally, Peddocks Island was a seasonal residence for the Native Americans populating the area. Later, it became the site of Fort Andrews, an active military base from the early 1900s through World War II. Contemporary visitors might recognize it as the setting for the movie “Shutter Island,” the 2010 thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Just a quick ferry ride away, Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor offers campers a peaceful respite from the city. Campsites can be reserved for $8 a night or try a yurt for $55 a night. PHOTO: BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS
Of the 34 Boston Harbor Islands only three are regularly accessible to the public and Peddocks Island is the only one that allows overnight camping.
Now through October, nature lovers can reserve a campsite for $8 a night or a yurt for $55 a night and explore the island at their leisure. The yurts, which are portable round tents, offer bunk beds with mattresses, indoor picnic tables, a ceiling fan, an overhead light and some electricity for powering small devices.
Park Ranger Shea Roche says the island gets about 30 campers a day during the peak summer season. Sites book up quickly when they open in early March, but Roche says cancellations are not unusual and interested campers should keep an eye on the booking website for openings.
Like most campsites, Peddocks is a carry in/carry out setup. Campers bring their own bedding, food, cooking tools, charcoal, etc., and take all their trash with them when they leave. The island does offer drinking water and bathroom facilities with flush toilets and showers.
A scenic view from Peddocks Island PHOTO: Boston Harbor Islands
Roche says that compared with Spectacle Island, a manicured park experience built from a former dump, and Georges Island, a predominantly granite former military fort, Peddocks offers the most natural experience for visitors.
“It shows the return of the original ecology,” she said. “And you can see a lot of wildlife out here which you can’t see on the more populated islands.”
The island is home to deer, turkeys, raccoons, squirrels and other wildlife. Campers and day-trippers can enjoy hiking trails, rocky beaches and swimming and history placards describing the use of the Fort Andrew buildings, several of which are still standing.
Ferries depart daily from Hingham to Peddocks Island and the MBTA runs a ferry from Boston to Hingham. This is the first year that camping opportunities have been extended into October. Roche hopes the expanded season will bring more visitors to the island.
“We’re really trying to get more people to come out here,” she said. “In October, it’s nice here. The yurts aren’t hot, and the leaves start changing a little bit. It’s beautiful.”
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