Winter Island: Salem MA

Winter Island Salem MA Fort Pickering Lighthouse

Winter Island is an island connected by a causeway to Salem Neck  It consists of about 45 acres and is surrounded by: Smith Pool (northwest), Cat Cove (west), Salem Channel  (south and east) and Juniper Cove (north). The island has about a dozen residences at the north end and one road, Winter Island Road. The Plummer Home for Boys sits on 18 acres  of land on the northeastern shore. The balance of the island is Winter Island Marine Park. The entire island was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District in 1994

Winter Island Marine Park is located on the former site of the Fort Pickering Coast Guard Base. It's a marine recreational park open to the public. The park takes up the southern portion of the peninsula. The main attractions of the park are the historic Fort Pickering, the Fort Pickering Lighthouse, Salem harbor, a boat launching ramp, and the former Coast Guard seaplane hangar and barracks. Fort Pickering is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2011, a master plan was developed for Winter Island in Salem, with help from the planning and design firm The Cecil Group of Boston and Bioengineering Group of Salem, and the City of Salem paid $45,000 in federal money.

Campground map

Attractions

• RV & Tent Camping May 18 through October
• Historic Fort Pickering Lighthouse & Salem Harbor.
• Function Hall, year-round rentals
• Public beach with lifeguard
• Public Boat Launch - open year round
• Seasonal Dinghy Rack spaces
• Camp and gift store.
• Picnic areas for rent May through October
• A Stop along the Salem Trolley Tour
• Great Place for a Wedding And More!

A lot of interesting information on the Winter Island webpage.