47 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cape Cod's northern shore near Cummaquid, Massachusetts features a variety of established campgrounds within a short drive, primarily operating from April through October. Nickerson State Park Campground in nearby Brewster stands out with its wooded sites and access to kettle ponds for swimming. Sweetwater Forest and Shady Knoll Campground, also in Brewster, provide private sites with full hookups for RVs while maintaining tent camping areas. Sandy Neck Beach Park offers primitive tent camping with beach access, while Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground in Sandwich remains open year-round, unusual for the region. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many offering cabins or glamping options.
Reservations are essential during summer months when Cape Cod experiences peak tourism. As one camper noted about Nickerson State Park, "The park has a number of kettle ponds to swim and boat in. We came off weekend days so we did not have to deal with traffic getting to and from the Cape in summer weekends." Massachusetts state parks enforce specific regulations, including alcohol prohibitions that surprise some visitors. Non-resident campers often pay significantly higher fees than Massachusetts residents. The Cape Cod Rail Trail connects many campgrounds, making bicycle transportation practical for accessing beaches, restaurants, and shops. Traffic congestion can be severe during summer weekends, particularly near the Sagamore Bridge.
Many campgrounds in the area emphasize their proximity to beaches and water activities. Scusset Beach State Reservation provides direct beach access with sites overlooking Cape Cod Bay. According to one visitor, "The beach is big, open and beautiful with lots of shells to hunt and marine life to check out." Bourne Scenic Park sits along the Cape Cod Canal with bike paths and water views. Campers consistently mention the region's biking opportunities, with the Cape Cod Rail Trail connecting multiple towns and beaches. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with Sweetwater Forest receiving praise for its "pleasant, secluded sites" and "quietest campground during quiet hours." Ticks can be problematic in some areas, particularly at coastal campgrounds, so proper precautions are recommended.
"It is at the edge of the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike Path from where you can access both bay side and ocean beaches by bike. it is also walking distance to a bayside beach."
"We even got the Massachusetts resident discount with his home address. When we arrived, it was a very easy check in. They gave us directions to our site and even to the store to buy fire wood."
from $22 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent. The camp store was well stocked and offered hot coffee and a variety of grocery items."
"Nothing but positive things to say, if you haven’t tried it, defintely do. C loop sites our favorite, but really not a terrible site in the place, depending on what you camp in."
"There’s a great walking trail connected to the campground. They have good access to the bay beaches and the Cape Cod Rail Trail- although you do have to drive ona busy road to get there."
"Well situated within Brewster, with a great small grocery store a two minute walk from the campground entrance."
from $50 - $88 / night
Check Availability"I like this campground because it is close to home. There isn't much to do here within the campground. It has two areas. The one nearer the camp entrance is smaller than the second. "
"We have stayed here during our exploration around cape cod. It's a but farther away from the main location, but we loved the quiet and tranquility of this campground."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The park has 5 dispersed sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead with picnic tables and an outhouse."
"All around a great place to camp"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location, beautiful pond on beautiful cape cod, Ma. My family has gone there for years with neighbors and always enjoyed our stay."
"It's located close to the Sagamore Bridge on the mainland side. Traffic can be messy in the summer, especially on weekend days! The campground itself is a haven for RVs."
"State run campground located at beginning of cape cod route 6. The sites can accommodate large rvs and tents. They are dog friendly however, not allowed on beach during peak summer season."
from $22 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Bike path along the canal, easy access. Lots of playgrounds for different ages
Bounce pad (in-ground)
Pool
Stair access to canal bike path."
"Bourne Scenic Park is conveniently located near many of Cape Cod’s attractions including beaches, golf courses, historic landmarks, restaurants and shopping. "
"Private beach and close to many other areas. Office staff nice and helpful."
"Came over, from her nearby home, to welcome us at gate with a super friendly, upbeat smile and a gift kit for our pup. Made us feel so WELCOME!"
"Nice campground, but need to get sites away from the backside of the pool, street noise is too loud"
"That being said, we use this mostly as a location to do other things- Old Silver Beach is 10 minutes down the road as is the Shining Sea Bike path."
GuideHad a wonderful time here! The staff were very friendly, the site H1 was right on the end and well maintained. The bike trail behind the campground was lovely, and you can easily walk to Arnold’s lobster & clam bar to grab some food or ice cream.
ScoutThis is a great asset to the Cape. We live here and it's great to have such a wonderful park right here. No crossing the bridge is a very high point. This park has it all:
Biking, Hiking, small store, swimming, fishing, kayaking or canoeing and close to town if you have other needs or just want to go eat elsewhere. It also has nice bathrooms and showers.
ScoutLong review from a long-term camper, but if you’re considering staying here, it’s worth the read so you know what you’re paying for. My husband and I have stayed here for the past three years, and this year has been, without question, the worst experience we’ve had. We prepaid for a 6-month stay, expecting a quiet, well-managed campground. Instead, we’ve dealt with inconsistency, poor communication, and management that seems focused on the wrong priorities. Before the campground was even fully open, we came to prepare our camper because there were already other campers on the property. While we were there, a woman repeatedly followed us around and watched us before finally approaching us. Rather than treating us like returning guests who have stayed here for years, we were made to feel like we didn’t belong and were questioned as if we were trespassing or trying to live here for free. Ironically, people who don’t even pay to stay here regularly park on the property to use the lake without anyone questioning them. Apparently, paying customers receive more scrutiny than people who aren’t customers at all. Because of that interaction, we were told we couldn’t return for weeks. When we were finally allowed back, our electricity hadn’t even been turned on, and we had to wait while no one seemed particularly concerned about getting it working. Then, completely out of the blue, we were told we had a past-due balance that had supposedly existed all along. At no point were we ever notified. No phone call. No email. No letter. No conversation. Yet somehow we were expected to fix a problem we didn’t even know existed. Meanwhile, the issues that actually affect paying guests continue to be ignored. On weekends and almost every holiday, large groups takes over the campground with 20+ tents, blasting music well into the night and early morning with absolutely no respect for the people who actually pay to stay here. They spread out wherever they want, take over common areas, and even park in front of occupied campsites to the point that we’ve had trouble getting into our own site. Even worse, people were plugging into our electrical service without permission, causing our camper to repeatedly short circuit. We eventually had to install a lock on our own electrical box because management did nothing to stop it after it was brought to their attention. That’s what makes this so frustrating. Management seems incredibly quick to police long-term residents over minor issues, yet has no problem looking the other way while other people take over the campground, block campsites, disturb everyone around them, use utilities they aren’t paying for, damage property, and ignore every basic campground rule. The former management understood that people who spend thousands of dollars to stay here deserve a safe, enjoyable, and well-managed campground. Rules were enforced. Problems were addressed. Paying guests mattered. Now it feels like the people causing the problems face no consequences, while the people paying to be here are the ones expected to tolerate them. I also wouldn’t recommend this campground for families. The“playground” looks like it hasn’t been properly maintained in a very long time and honestly looks like it could earn a child a tetanus shot instead of a fun afternoon. The basketball hoop has been broken, and the laundry area is tucked behind some of the dirtiest bathrooms on the property, surrounded by overgrown grass. None of it reflects the kind of campground this used to be. It’s disappointing because this campground had so much potential and used to be a place we genuinely enjoyed returning to every year. Unfortunately, poor management and a complete lack of consistency have changed that. If you are looking for a campground, there are way better options in the surrounding area with better amenities and better people.
GuideThis campground was wonderful. While the campsites aren’t extremely secluded, there’s still plenty of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, and it’s a fantastic place for both fishing and kayaking. I highly recommend visiting Cape Cod and staying here if you’re looking for a relaxing camping experience.
Scoutno laundry or swimming other than that very beautiful
TravelerWe came from their Horton’s location which had zero privacy so we were happy when we were able to switch our reservation last minute with no problems. The North Truro campsites were spaced out (we were tent camping), trees for privacy, and a walkable path to the nearest beaches.
TravelerIf you want privacy and real camping vibes, this is not the place for that. “Campsites” are very close together with no trees for privacy. Go to their North Truro location instead! We ended up changing our reservation over once we saw the campsite.
TravelerWe had a great stay at Indianhead Resort! The management was wonderful and very helpful. The sites were very spacious and private, which made it feel relaxing and comfortable for our family. The playgrounds are a little older, but our two-year-old absolutely loved the swings and had a great time. Overall, it was a great family-friendly campground experience!
LegendWe visited in early June and really appreciated the shade at our site as the temps rose into the mid-80’s. There are lots of tall pine trees but are trimmed back and not a problem getting or big-rig through the park or in our site. We loved site 47 which was long and level with nice grass around it. The next site (46) was pretty close, but luckily nobody was in it while we visited. Our patio area was fairly large with no other sites next to it, just a road. We chose a 50A/water pull thru site and the electric was good at 124 volts on each leg. Honey wagon service is quite expensive at $35/pump out, or you can use the dump station for free. We used the campground cable tv and got about 60 stations, included the major stations (local news was out of Boston). This was a good thing since the trees blocked our Dish receiver from getting any channels. The wifi was 2.4G and just o.k. You could surf the internet but definitely not strong enough to stream. I went to the lodge and got great wifi speed to download movies quickly.
The campground is gated and charges$15/day for visitors. There are lots of amenities. There is a good access to a small lake (with a canoe/kayak launch and rentals), fishing pier (for catch and release, no license required), ice cream stand, food truck, playground, a large dog park (with two runs), laundry, playground, horseshoes, etc. The campground is conveniently to the downtown Plymouth attractions (10 minutes) and a grocery store (2 miles).
The biggest downside was the dust since most of the roads are gravel. It was very dry during our visit and the dust was crazy. Another negative was the $5/day pet fee. There are restrictions as to where you can walk your pets in the campground and they are not allowed on the beach. There is a good size dog park with two runs. If you dog is afraid of gunshots, do not come here as there is a gun range nearby that is pretty loud.
Cape Cod's northern region near Cummaquid, Massachusetts offers seasonal camping from spring through fall with limited year-round options. Waterfront camping access spans both the Cape Cod Bay side and the Cape Cod Canal area. The region's camping options cluster primarily around Brewster and Sandwich, with most tent sites available between May and October when temperatures average 75°F during summer days.
Biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail: The trail connects to Nickerson State Park Campground and provides extensive riding opportunities. "This is a great park for mountain biking, there are trails everywhere. Check NEMBA website for a trail map," notes Duane B., while another camper adds, "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."
Fishing along the canal: Bourne Scenic Park sits directly on the Cape Cod Canal, making it ideal for anglers. "If you like fishing this is your place," says Rick R. The park's proximity to the canal allows campers to fish directly from shore without needing to travel.
Wildlife observation and trail hiking: The Eddy Property nature trails near Shady Knoll Campground offer scenic walking paths. "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," shares Kathy L., adding that another trail "takes you about half mile to some bluffs overlooking the bay and Brewster Flats. Beautiful at sunset."
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate the direct beach access at Scusset Beach State Reservation. "The beach is big, open and beautiful with lots of shells to hunt and marine life to check out," says Angela T., who adds that "along the canal are inlets to let you back into the campground."
Private, wooded sites: Sweetwater Forest receives praise for its secluded camping spots. "We were on site B17 and it was perfect. Complete 360 privacy, well wooded, and just what was needed. Listen to the sounds of frogs at night was kinda awesome," says Christina M., while another camper notes, "The tent area is in a woodsy hollow full of birds and interesting wildlife."
Kettle ponds for swimming: Freshwater swimming options provide alternatives to ocean beaches. "I've been coming to Nickerson St. Park with my family for several years now and find I'm happy just staying there instead of running all over the Cape to hit beaches. 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," writes Phil Y.
Late season considerations: Several campgrounds remain open into fall with limited services. "Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off," explains Jean C., adding that "in mid-November, just before the campground closed for the season, RVers used the firepit at a tent site that provided some additional protection from the wind."
Site spacing and privacy variations: Campgrounds vary widely in how close sites are positioned. At Cape Cod Campresort, Mary V. reports, "There are a lot of sites here and they are very close together so there is little privacy." In contrast, at Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, Gina M. found "the campground wasn't too big and the sites offered a lot of privacy, and some hiking trails within the campground."
Campfire policies: Rules regarding fires differ between campgrounds. At Scusset Beach, "only the tent sites are allowed to have fires, all other sites you must do your cooking on a stove," according to Angela T., who notes there is "a communal fireplace near the entrance of the campground where everyone gathers at dusk to share a nice big fire."
Playground access: Many campgrounds offer play facilities for children. Shawme Crowell features "a new playground area" that Jean C. notes "young kids will love," while Stacey adds it has an "awesome playground" and the "price can't be beat."
Dog-friendly facilities: Pet owners will find varying policies across campgrounds. "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," Katelain T. explains about Nickerson State Park, adding that "you can have a campfire, you just need to buy your firewood at their adorable camp store."
Seasonal noise levels: Some campgrounds become significantly busier and louder in peak season. Mary V. warns, "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." She recommends, "It's a good campground for a place to parking your camper and go off and do things, but if your looking for some privacy and quiet, this isn't the place to go."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant effort to level RVs. At Bourne Scenic Park, Nancy W. found "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."
Late arrivals: Some campgrounds accommodate after-hours check-in. DJ described arriving at Campers Haven RV Resort: "She happily agreed to let us head on in well after dark at almost 10pm. Came over, from her nearby home, to welcome us at gate with a super friendly, upbeat smile... Led us, via her car, to our open, pull-thru spot."
Water and sewer arrangements: Most campgrounds lack full hookups. At Bourne Scenic Park, "No sites have sewer; however, grey water dump stations are randomly placed throughout the campground and can be accessed with a garden hose," explains Nancy W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Cummaquid, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cummaquid, MA is Nickerson State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
Keep Exploring
