Cabin camping near Chilmark, Massachusetts offers rustic accommodations within reach of Martha's Vineyard's attractions. Located on the western portion of the island at approximately 108 feet above sea level, Chilmark features rolling hills and a maritime climate with temperatures averaging 75°F in summer and 32°F in winter. The area experiences frequent fog, especially during spring months, which can affect camping conditions.
What to do
Kayaking at freshwater ponds: Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins provides kayak rentals for exploring their private lake. "Spots are beautiful. Private little lake with rentals & fishing, 2 pools, playground, store, etc. and it's all conveniently located in cape cod," notes Aliceon W.
Biking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail: Nickerson State Park Campground offers direct access to extensive biking networks. "The bike path and network of trails through the park (that connect to the beautiful 22 mile long Cape Cod Rail Trail) make for great bike riding and early morning running," according to Phil Y.
Fishing along the Cape Cod Canal: Bourne Scenic Park provides prime fishing opportunities. "If you like fishing this is your place," mentions Rick R. The park sits directly on the Canal with stair access to the bike path and fishing spots.
Explore island alpaca farms: Nearby attractions include unique animal encounters. "Definitely recommend seeing the lighthouses. And of course the Island Alpaca farm right done the street. Excellent trip," shares Zack from Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.
What campers like
Car-free island access: Marthas Vineyard Family Campground allows visitors to experience the island without bringing a vehicle. "You can take the ferry to Vineyard Haven ($15 round trip) and catch the island bus ($30 for a week pass) that will drop you right in front of the campground," explains Alicia F.
Pond swimming options: Families appreciate the water recreation alternatives to ocean beaches. "Lake area for bathing is too small," notes one reviewer about Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, but others mention enjoying both pool and pond swimming options at many campgrounds.
Wooded privacy: Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground offers secluded sites among pine trees. "Lot's of sites...pretty pine forrest...nice home base to explore the Cape. Dog friendly, fire ring at sites. Good shower houses," writes Penny P.
Proximity to multiple attractions: Boston/Cape Cod KOA serves as a central hub for regional exploration. "Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions," according to Kirk S., making it convenient for cabin campers wanting to explore beyond Chilmark.
What you should know
Advance planning required: Burlingame State Park Campground offers 20 rustic cabins but fills quickly. "The location is fantastic, but with this many sites (so, with this many people), there are bound to be pros and cons," writes Jessica A., who recommends avoiding holiday weekends.
Site selection matters: Choosing the right campsite type significantly impacts your experience. "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay... I'll pay the few extra dollars to have a bigger site it's so worth it," advises Janet P. about Boston/Cape Cod KOA.
Seasonal crowd differences: Traffic and noise levels vary dramatically by season. "We stayed here in October and it was a little too chilly for us to camp but we gave it a shot. The campground wasn't too big and the sites offered a lot of privacy," reports Gina M. about Shawme Crowell State Forest.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds have highway proximity issues. "Where we were it was close to the bridge and the traffic was loud all night. Other than that it was nice because where we were was close to the canal," explains Kristyl C. about Bourne Scenic Park.
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate recreation: Bay View Campground offers structured activities for different age groups. "This campground has EVERYTHING one might want or need... If you are a walker, you'll enjoy the hilly accessible paved roads," writes Lisa D.
Bathroom planning: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Bath houses are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross," warns Jessica A. about Burlingame State Park, suggesting bringing sanitizer and wipes.
Playgrounds and activities: Structured entertainment keeps children engaged. "Kids loved the little pool slide. Also enjoyed the golf cart rentals," notes John D. about Peters Pond RV Resort, while Stacey mentions Shawme Crowell has an "awesome playground" that compensates for basic amenities.
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds have unexpected animal visitors. "Keep your food sealed tight because the skunks use this campground as much as humans do," advises Anne O. about Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Most cabin campers share facilities with RVs. "No on site drainage for black water (grey takes an adapter). You will need a poop tote," explains Our Greight Escape about Bourne Scenic Park's facilities.
Tree sap issues: Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground warns about potential vehicle cleaning needs. "Biggest negative was the trees can drop a lot of sap so be ready to wash your rig and vehicles as soon as you leave if it was a heavy sap time," advises Michael J.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require equipment for comfortable setup. "Leveling was not an issue for us in our site (C-25) but the majority of sites would be a problem for a motorhome to get level without the aid of blocks," notes Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park.
Road condition awareness: Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground has infrastructure issues to navigate. "Roads are in bad shape, especially the entrance. Overall though, a good campground," shares Patrick H. about conditions that affect both RV and cabin campers.