Cape Cod camping options extend beyond Chilmark to surrounding towns on Martha's Vineyard and mainland Massachusetts. The region features sandy soil that drains quickly after rain, making it suitable for camping even during typical New England showers. Most campgrounds near Chilmark operate seasonally with closures during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Beach access: Marthas Vineyard Family Campground serves as an affordable base for exploring island beaches. "Clean level campsite with hard sand base. Close to all the towns for activities, beaches, and dining. Bus stop right at front of campground," notes one camper at Marthas Vineyard Family Campground.
Dog-friendly trails: Newport RV Park connects to adjacent hiking trails and a dog park. "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park," mentions a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Peters Pond RV Resort offers on-site fishing. "Great fishing and nice clean sites," reports one camper, while another adds, "We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing."
What campers like
Family-oriented environments: Cape Cod's Maple Park Campground provides scheduled activities for children. "This is the perfect family campground with lots of activities for the whole family during the on season. Your whole family will be entertained," notes one reviewer at Cape Cod's Maple Park Campground.
Water recreation: Peters Pond RV Resort features both a swimming pool and pond. "The pool and pond were both great for swimming and they did have some lounge chairs to use at pond," states a camper who visited Peters Pond RV Resort.
Budget-friendly island access: Staying at Martha's Vineyard Campground costs significantly less than island hotels. "Pay $300-$500/night for a hotel or this campground for $35/night? I'll take the campground any day," notes a regular visitor who enjoys the island experience without premium accommodation prices.
What you should know
Transportation considerations: Public transit connects Martha's Vineyard Campground with island attractions. "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 a visitor.
Military-only facilities: Carr Point Recreation Facility offers waterfront RV camping exclusively for military personnel. "There are only 6 spots, so it's guaranteed to be a pretty peaceful, quiet place. Nice water views and close to a walkable beach," shares a reviewer at Carr Point Recreation Facility.
Seasonal considerations: Gateway to Cape Cod campground closes during winter months. "Although we were there in late October (during COVID), so very quiet. Located in nice area, directly across road from beach on Nantucket Sound," mentions a camper, highlighting how shoulder season offers quieter camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Martha's Vineyard Campground requires careful food storage. "Keep your food sealed tight because the skunks use this campground as much as humans do," warns a visitor at Marthas Vineyard Campground.
Planned activities: Organized recreation keeps children entertained at several campgrounds. "They have a nice pool and playground area for the kids," notes a camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort, while another campground visitor mentioned, "Loved the easy access to Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Boston. Had good kids crafts."
Swimming options: Multiple water features provide recreation at Gateway to Cape Cod. "Pool was good, pond was great. Kids loved the little pool slide. Also enjoyed the golf cart rentals," shares a family that visited Gateway to Cape Cod.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RV sites at Melville Ponds Campground require leveling equipment. "Our site (F4) had 30 amp and water. The premium sites have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors. However, they have great paver stone patios and fire pits. They also had a slight downhill slope so it required some extra blocks to level out," advises an RVer at Newport RV Park.
Tree sap concerns: Gateway to Cape Cod's wooded sites require vehicle protection. "Heavily treed and shaded campground, extremely large to walk from front to back. 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," cautions a reviewer.
Size restrictions: Maneuvering larger RVs requires planning at some campgrounds. "Meadowlark RV Park is a very crowded mobile home park that has a few motorhome/RV sites," reports a visitor, while another notes that at some locations "the sites are a little tight to maneuver if you have a large rig."