Camping around Brewster offers access to both ocean beaches and freshwater ponds with campgrounds within a 30-minute drive radius. This mid-Cape location serves as a central base for exploring Cape Cod attractions while staying in more wooded environments than typical coastal settings. Summers see average temperatures of 75-80°F with cooler evenings requiring light layers for comfortable camping.
What to Do
Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail: Access this 22-mile paved path from several campgrounds in the area. "The bike system in this Campground is truly awesome and allows access to the whole park- great place for a good ride!" notes a visitor to Nickerson State Park Campground.
Explore kettle ponds: Swim in freshwater ponds formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. "The clean, freshwater swimming at the kettle ponds (which are usually uncrowded and within less than a minute's walk from our campsite) is incredible," according to a camper at Nickerson State Park.
Visit nearby beaches: Most campgrounds are a short drive from ocean beaches. A camper at Sweetwater Forest shared, "Close drive to a beautiful beach and other area beach activities. Overall, would go again while in Cape Cod."
Hike nature trails: Many campgrounds feature woodland trails. "There is a shirt nature trailhead on Eddy Property at back of campground near campsites 98-100. It makes a loop including through shady areas and some beautiful public vegetable and flower gardens," notes a visitor to Shady Knoll.
What Campers Like
Wooded privacy: Tree coverage provides natural separation between sites. "Sweetwater Forest has pleasant, secluded sites. This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited. Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent," reports a camper at Shady Knoll Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The comfort stations were clean and the showers have hot water and there's an outdoor sink & counter to wash dishes," notes a visitor at Sweetwater Forest.
Central location: Brewster's position on Cape Cod makes it ideal for day trips. "Great place to spend a summer vacation. This state park is an oasis in the middle of a busy tourist destination," writes a camper at Nickerson State Park about the convenience of the location.
Quieter atmosphere: Compared to oceanfront campgrounds, the Brewster area offers more tranquility. "Listen to the sounds of frogs at night was kinda awesome," shares a camper from Sweetwater Forest about the natural surroundings.
What You Should Know
Reservations required: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. A camper at Sweetwater Forest notes, "Only drawbacks are that there are limited full hookup big rig sites, and they book up in advance; also water view sites down at the pond also book up in advance."
Site variations: Size and privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. "The tent area is in a woodsy hollow full of birds and interesting wildlife. This isn't a camping resort but they have clean restrooms and a game room with a pool table, puzzles, and board games," reports a visitor to Sweetwater Forest.
Sandy conditions: The Cape's soil conditions affect campsites. "A little dusty because of the sand lot and roads," mentions one camper at Sweetwater Forest, something to consider when selecting equipment.
Strict policies: Some campgrounds enforce rules rigorously. "Quiet hours are strictly enforced" at many locations, which benefits those seeking peaceful experiences but may not suit groups wanting later gatherings.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, "If you have young kids, they'll love the new playground area. That's really about the only attraction within the campground, though there are some hiking and biking trails."
Beach proximity: Consider travel time to ocean beaches when booking with children. "We we stayed here with a group of friends for my birthday. Maybe I have rose-tinted glasses when it comes to my birthday, but this was a great campground. Lots of space, beautiful greenery, and you can visit the ponds right on the grounds," shares a visitor to Nickerson State Park.
Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome pets for family trips. "I camp with my dog and sometimes I want to explore places that he can't go. Sweetwater Forest has a small doggy day care where I can safely leave him and not worry. It's air conditioned and they have mellow music on," notes a camper about this dog friendly campground near Brewster.
Tick awareness: Take precautions in wooded areas. "As always I need to do a PSA on ticks: it's Cape Cod, so be vigilant about protecting yourself from ticks. Lyme disease is no joke," warns a visitor to Nickerson State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig sites: Larger RVs have fewer options in the area. At Atlantic Oaks Campground, "Sites are large although a little close together. Mostly sandy gravel sites with lots of shade available."
Hook-up variations: Full-service sites are limited at some campgrounds. "Not all sites have full hookups," so check specifications when booking for RVs requiring water, electric, and sewer connections.
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. "Our hookup utilities all worked fine. This may seem like a silly thing to comment on, but I like how they installed mini picket fences to block the view of the sewer connections from the neighbors," notes a visitor to Atlantic Oaks Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate April through October. A camper at Adventure Bound Camping Resorts Cape Cod: North Truro mentions, "Came to Nickerson with the knowledge that it's not like the places I usually like to stay. Family friendly, accessible sites, grounds bigger than the town I live in... not exactly what I look for in a Campground. I was pleasantly surprised!"
