Hiking trails wind through 12 miles of white pine forest at Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway sits close enough to make cycling a practical daily option. The campground splits into two distinct areas: a smaller section near the entrance and a larger back area with a playground, making the second loop the more practical choice for families with young children. Nearby, a boardwalk crosses a sea grass marshland, and the town of Sandwich provides restaurants and supplies within a short drive.
Sites are set among towering white pines, with dry pine needles covering the ground between them. Barbara G. describes the sites as "floored with nice flat cover of dry pine needles." Spacing varies across the campground. Some sites feel relatively private, while others sit close enough together that neighboring conversations carry easily, a pattern multiple reviewers noted. Highway noise from Route 3 reaches many sites and trails, so campers who are light sleepers should factor that in.
Amenities include hot showers, full hookups with electric, water, and sewer, plus a dump station. The shower facilities draw consistent mixed feedback, with several reviewers noting they are functional but not reliably clean. Water spigots are placed between sites for convenient access. The campground is open year-round and accommodates big rigs without difficulty. Reservations are available and recommended during summer months, when the campground fills up. September visits tend to find sites more spaced out and crowds thinner.
Tick prevention is worth taking seriously here. This is Cape Cod, and reviewers consistently flag ticks as a real concern. The hiking trails stay close to the highway corridor, so expect road noise on foot as well. Scusset Beach State Park Campground sits roughly a mile to the northeast and offers a beach alternative worth considering for multi-night stays. Campers using Shawme Crowell as a base for exploring the cape's beaches, fishing spots, and the Heritage Museum and Gardens next door will find the location does most of the work.
Description
This quiet campground at the beginning of Cape Cod has over 285 campsites among rolling, wooded hills. More than 15 miles of roads and trails provide hiking and equestrian access to over 700 acres of pitch pine and scrub oak.
<u>Please read the important information below, prior to making a reservation.</u>
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. NO WALK-IN CAMPING ALLOWED.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Massachusetts state parks and campgrounds.
<font color="blue">Campsite Fees at Shawme Crowell State Forest $17 for MA resident / $54 for non-resident. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE.</font>>/p>
Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood into or out of any DCR campground. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. Transportation of firewood or other wood products, may result in eviction. PLEASE NOTE THAT FIREWOOD SALES ARE BY CREDIT CARD ONLY. EFFECTIVE 2021, THE COST IS $7 PER BUNDLE.
Check-in time is 1:00 to 9:00 pm; check out by 11:00 am. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The use of generators is not permitted during quiet hours except for the purpose of operating a medical device.
Reservation and Occupancy:
Campers and/or camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Violators of the 14-day limit may have their reservation cancelled and be asked to leave the park.
Reservations must be in the name of the primary occupant, who is at least 18 years of age. A photo ID is required at check- in and must match the name on the reservation. Campsite occupancy is limited to four adults, or two adults and the children in their care. Campsites are limited to two tents, or one tent and one trailer or RV, and two vehicles maximum (including tow trailers) per site.
Reservations with departure dates outside the 4-month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made. Cancellations and changes will incur a $10 fee. <u>Day of arrival cancellations</u> require a phone call to the campground and will result in the loss of the first night's camping fee, plus the $10 cancellation fee. Reserved campsites will be held until 8:00 am on the day after your scheduled arrival date. If we are not contacted, your reservation will be no-showed resulting in no refund.
Camping with Pets:
Pets are permitted at most campgrounds and there is a limit of four pets per campsite. A current rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. Pets must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not permitted in state buildings or when camping in a yurt or cabin.
Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect
There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect
There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
April 1 through Labor Day Monday, the booking window will be open for new inventory at 8 am ET daily. During the off season, inventory opens at 9 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends.
Please note that firewood sales are by credit card only, and effective 2021, the cost of firewood is $7 per bundle. Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood or any wood products into or out of any DCR campground.
**Walk-in Registrations are not permitted. Advance Reservations can be made same day up until 2 pm on date of arrival.**
All campsites at Shawme-Crowell State Forest have been renumbered. Please review site numbers carefully to ensure you are reserving the intended campsite.
Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsShawme Crowell State Forest Campground is located in Massachusetts near Sandwich
Directions
From the North: Take Rte. 3 South to the Sagamore Bridge and Rte. 6 East. Follow Rte. 6 East over the bridge to Exit 59 and the intersection with Rte. 130 in Sandwich. Follow Rte. 130 into Sandwich and follow the State Forest signs 3 miles to the park entrance on the left. From the West: Take Rte. 495 South to the intersection with Rte. 6 East. Follow Rte. 6 East along the Cape Cod Canal to the intersection with Rte. 3 and the Sagamore Bridge Rotary. Follow Rte. 6 East over the Sagamore Bridge to Exit 59 in Sandwich. Follow Rte. 130 into Sandwich and follow the signs 3 miles to the Park entrance on the left. Campground Address: 42 Main Street (Rte. 130) Sandwich, MA 02563-0621 Campground Phone Number: 508-888-0351
Address
42 Main St. (Rt. 130)
Sandwich, MA 2563
Coordinates
41.76336619 N
70.51974227 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/14/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/14/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/14/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/14/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/14/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 9 min from Barnstable Town, MA
- 46 min from Boston, MA
- 54 min from Providence, RI
- 1 hr 22 min from Worcester, MA
