Camping on Cape Cod

Cape Cod is popular for its scenic landscapes. If you want to enjoy more of nature when on the Cape, it makes a lot of sense to forego luxury hotel rooms to just spend time outdoors. The area has lots of private and public

campgrounds that can accommodate pretty much every taste. Most of the campgrounds are close to the water and you will have easy access to the beaches, biking trails, shops, and entertainment spots.

Cape Cod public campgrounds can be found at the state parks and the state forests. Popular public camping spots can be found in the Nickerson State Park, Shawme-Crowell State Forest, and the Scusset Beach State Reservation. The state facilities provide an authentic rustic camping experience while providing campers with amenities such as toilets, showers, picnic tables, and fireplaces.

Camping at Nickerson State Park

3488 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631

The Nickerson State Park sits on 1900 acres in Brewster, MA. The park has more than 400 small and large wooded campsites. You will also find some yurts on site. The yurts are canvas-sided and can accommodate up to six people. The park attracts lots of campers during the high and peak seasons. Luckily for you, you are guaranteed a spot if you make a booking in advance. You can make a booking up to 6 months in advance.

The park is a beautiful place to be in all year round. The campsites are surrounded by lush pine and oak forests with eight freshwater ponds lining the edge of the forest towards the end of the slope. Cyclists will also enjoy the paved 8-mile biking trail in the park that connects to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail. Other activities you can enjoy within the park and surrounding areas include canoeing, fishing, hiking, and swimming. For navigation purposes, you should consider getting a map of the park and carrying it with you everywhere you go as you get familiar with the trails and paths.

There are no hookups at the park. Also, the yurts available are not heated. However, the yurts have chairs, bunk beds, and tables. Campers have easy access to water and electricity. You can camp at the park for up to 14 cumulative days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Nightly Camping Rate differ between Massachusetts residents and nonresidents.  

Camping at Shawme-Crowell State Park

42 Main St, Sandwich, Massachusetts 02563

The Shawme-Crowell State Park sits on 700 acres towards the Western end of the Cape. With its 15 miles of trails, the park is popular with hikers and horseback riders. Over the summer, several campers troop to the park to enjoy its 285 camping sites that are set within green wooded grounds. You are encouraged to make a reservation several days in advance if you are planning to camp at the park during the peak season. Bookings can be made up to six months in advance.

Facilities available on the grounds include showers, flushing toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and a playground. The state park does not have hookups. RVers and trailer campers can make use of the dumping station in the park.

Nightly Camping and Yurt Rates differ between Massachusetts residents and nonresidents. The yurts can accommodate up to six people. You can camp on the grounds for a maximum of 14 cumulative days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Camping at Scusset Beach State Reservation

20 Scusset Beach Rd, Sagamore, Massachusetts 02562

The Scusset Beach State Reservation is located at the southwest end of Cape Cod Bay. The campground has 98 RV sites and five tent-only campsites. Facilities available include picnic areas, restrooms, showers, R.V. dumping, and R.V. hookup.  Nightly Camping Rate differ between Massachusetts residents and nonresidents.

Camping at this place will be a lot of fun. Just a short walking distance away from the campground is a 1.5 mile stretch of beautiful sandy beach. Some of the fun activities you can enjoy while camping here includes fishing, hiking, swimming, and hunting. Adults need a swimming license but kids don’t. A hunting license is also required.

Recommended Privately-Owned Campgrounds

Bass River Trailer Park

698 Willow Street Route 28, Bass River, MA 02664

The Bass River Trailer Park lies along Route 28 about 4.5 miles east of Hyannis Airport Rotary. It is a quiet family-owned campground that has been in operation for more than 3 decades. Campers and caravans are welcome for a stay not exceeding two weeks.  

The campgrounds at the park are close to the docks where the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket depart from. The facilities and amenities available include shower and restroom facilities, electricity, a dump station, internet access, and 30 Amp service. It is within walking distance of grocery stores, beaches, restaurants, and historical tourist sites.

Coastal Acres Campground

W Vine Street Ext, Provincetown MA 02657

Coastal Acres is located within walking distance of downtown Provincetown. They have trailer and tent sites. See website for rates and availability. 

They offer on-site water and electric connections, private parking, picnic tables, WiFi, wooded campsites, and bathrooms. Some of the fun things you can do while camping here include visiting Herring Cove Beach and Race Point Beach, exploring downtown Provincetown, going whale watching, going on a dune tour and biking through the trails on the National Seashore.

Atlantic Oaks Campground

State, 3700 U.S. 6, Eastham, MA 02642

Atlantic Oaks is a well-equipped private campground in the town of Eastham. It sits just half a mile from the National Seashore Visitor Center with the beaches just a short walk away. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is also easily accessible.

RVers will find the campground very accommodating. The pull-through sites are adequately equipped with full hookups. Offerings at the campground include WiFi, restroom and hot showers, onsite RV service, cable TV, laundry services, trailer rentals, a playground, and metered LP gas.

The campground is open from May 1 to November 1.   See website for rates and availability. 

Sun Retreats RV Resorts

184 Old Wharf Rd., Dennisport, MA 02639

As the name suggests, Sun Retreats is designed specifically for RVs and trailers. Nonetheless, tent campers are also welcome. If you are on the Cape to enjoy its beaches, you will like this campsite. Sun Retreats has its own private swimming beach, a boating area, and a jetty.

This is one of the best spots on the Cape if you want to enjoy some of the comforts of home while camping. You will have an opportunity to play with other guests in a game of basketball, shuffleboard, and bocce ball. The amenities on offer include WiFi, cable TV, a playground, a mini-golf course, and a game room.

Shady Knoll Campground

1709 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631

If you are in mid-Cape, Shady Knoll is the perfect camping ground for you. It offers hookup and no-hookup campsites. The campsites have clean restrooms, Cable TV, hot showers, WiFi, and laundry. There’s a playground on-site.  See website for rates and availability. 

Other Notable Privately-Owned Campgrounds

You should also consider checking out the following private campgrounds on Cape Cod:

1. Dunroamin' Trailer Park (14 John Ewer Road, Sandwich, MA 02563)
2. Maurice's Campgrounds, Inc. (80 Route 6, Unit 1, Wellfleet, MA 02667)
3. Sandy Pond Campground (834 Bourne Road, Plymouth, MA 02360)
4. Martha's Vineyard Family Campground ( 569 Edgartown Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568)