Camp Nihan Group Camping

Camp Nihan Education Center is where you camp at Breakheart. It is a 65-acre DCR group camping area at 131 Walnut Street in Saugus, on the same DCR map as the reservation, with cabins and group tent sites for organized groups. Breakheart itself has no individual campsites. DCR books Camp Nihan through its ReserveAmerica system or a special use permit, and it is open on set days, not daily.

What Camp Nihan Is

DCR describes Camp Nihan as a place for group camping where there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the local habitat, across 65 acres of nature and wildlife. (DCR's trail map text gives the figure as 60 acres; DCR's Camp Nihan page, the more specific source, says 65.) Hiking, fishing, educational programs and camping are its listed activities. It shares a park office phone number with Breakheart: (781) 233-0834.

Cabins and Tent Sites

DCR lists two kinds of group site:

• Cabins with bunk beds, tables, a pellet stove, a refrigerator and limited electricity. DCR's map names Clarke Cabin, Peckham Cabin, Emerson Cabin and Sprague Lodge.
• Group tent campsites.

Facilities are basic: portable toilets, and no showers or running water. Bring your own water supply for cooking and washing.

Accessibility

DCR lists Clarke Cabin as its accessible camping option at Camp Nihan. Ask DCR about the route from the lot to the cabin when you book.

When It's Open

• September through June: Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
• July and August: Friday and Saturday.

Parking is in the on-site lot. Hours for the rest of Breakheart are on the hours page.

How to Book

DCR's Camp Nihan page links to its ReserveAmerica listing for Camp Nihan and to the application for a state parks special use permit. DCR's map describes Camp Nihan as the place "for your next special use permit group camping experience," so expect scout troops, schools and youth groups to go through the permit process. Book early for spring and fall weekends.

Camp Nihan Rules

DCR's restrictions for Camp Nihan:

• No alcohol.
• No swimming (DCR's Camp Nihan page; DCR's separate 2026 swim table lists Peckham Pond at Camp Nihan as an unguarded swim area, so ask DCR when you book).
• No pets.
• No biking or mountain biking.
• Each group site must have an adult or counselor.
• No additional tents on cabin sites.
• No open flames in cabins or on cabin decks.
• Don't bring your own firewood.

Ask DCR about fire rules for your site when you book.

Programs at Camp Nihan

DCR uses Camp Nihan for some public programs too. In fall 2026, DCR's "Wild Breakheart" bird walk met at Camp Nihan, 131 Walnut Street, to count fall migrants, with binoculars encouraged but not required and first-time birders welcome. Program sheets are linked from DCR's Breakheart page; see plan your visit.

Good For

• Scout troops and school groups that want cabins close to Boston.
• Groups pairing a night out with Breakheart's trails and DCR's nature programs.

Maybe Skip If

• You are a family or small party wanting a campsite with showers: Camp Nihan is group camping with portable toilets and no running water.
• You want to swim from camp: DCR's Camp Nihan rules say no swimming. The guarded beach at Pearce Lake is in Breakheart, a separate entrance away.
• You want to bring the dog: no pets. See dogs at Breakheart.

Getting There

Camp Nihan has its own entrance at 131 Walnut Street, Saugus, separate from Breakheart's two lots. See parking and directions for the reservation.