Cape Cod offers several glamping options near Chilmark, Massachusetts, where the sandy shoreline meets protected forest land. The area experiences warm summers with average highs of 80°F and cool winters, making April through October the prime camping season. Many campgrounds in this region provide access to freshwater ponds for swimming alternatives to ocean beaches.
What to do
Biking on dedicated trails: Myles Standish State Forest offers excellent cycling opportunities with multiple trail types. "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding New England towns," reports one visitor. The park's extensive trail system caters to both paved and mountain bike preferences.
Fishing in the Canal: Bourne Scenic Park sits along the Cape Cod Canal, providing prime fishing access. "If you like fishing this is your place," notes a camper. The canal attracts serious anglers throughout the season who target striped bass and other saltwater species.
Hiking through kettle ponds: Nickerson State Park Campground features numerous hiking trails around freshwater kettle ponds formed by glacial activity. One visitor explains, "We had a great experience here and loved being able to hike down to Cliff Pond to swim and wander around." These unique geological formations offer both scenic beauty and swimming opportunities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Sweetwater Forest provides secluded camping spots with natural separation. "Sweetwater Forest has pleasant, secluded sites. This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited," shares one camper. The wooded setting creates natural boundaries between camping areas.
Extended season options: Scusset Beach State Reservation remains open later than most Cape campgrounds. "Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off," explains a reviewer. This provides camping opportunities when other facilities have closed for the year.
Clean, fresh swimming: Many campgrounds feature freshwater swimming alternatives to ocean beaches. "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds," notes a visitor to Myles Standish State Forest. These spring-fed swimming areas provide refreshing alternatives to saltwater beaches.
What you should know
Site types vary significantly: Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground offers diverse camping experiences based on location. "This state forest campground is located just over the Sagamore bridge, across the Cape Cod canal. It's a basic, no-frills campground, with more than half the sites designated as tent only; a few of the sites are designated for tent/pop-up," one camper explains. Research specific site characteristics before booking.
Noise levels fluctuate seasonally: Cape Cod campgrounds experience significant seasonal variation in noise and activity. "I've been camping for over twenty years and this campground is by far the noisiest campground I have ever been to. If you are looking for any sort of peace and quiet this is NOT the place for you," warns a visitor about Cape Cod Campresort during peak season.
Alcohol restrictions exist: Some state parks enforce strict alcohol policies. "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed," cautions a visitor to Myles Standish State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Scout playgrounds before booking: Burlingame State Park Campground offers extensive play areas for children. A visitor explains, "Can't go wrong with this campground. Spacious - even with all those sites, there's plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek."
Consider off-season visits: Many families find the shoulder season more enjoyable. "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," shares a visitor to Shawme Crowell State Forest.
Look for dog-friendly water access: Nickerson State Park accommodates families with pets. "We love this campground, and have been coming here for a few years. It's dog friendly, and even though dogs aren't allowed on the swimming beaches, you can bring them to different parts of the pond for swimming, and no one gives you trouble," notes a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Reserve premium sites early: Boston/Cape Cod KOA offers tiered site options that affect experience quality. "I have belong to KOA's for quite a few years and I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay... I'll never book The basic campsite again I'll pay the few extra dollars to have a bigger site it's so worth it," advises an RV camper.
Plan for limited hookup availability: Many Cape Cod campgrounds have restricted utility options. "The campground doesn't have hook ups, but there is a dump station with water and water available around the loops," explains a visitor to Nickerson State Park, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency.
Check site levelness before arrival: Uneven terrain affects many Cape Cod campgrounds. "Leveling was not an issue for us in our site but the majority of sites would be a problem for a motorhome to get level without the aid of blocks. In fact, some sites were ridiculously unlevel and took a scary amount of blocks," warns an RVer about Bourne Scenic Park.