Camping sites near Duxbury, Massachusetts offer diverse terrain options across pine forests, pond shorelines, and canal areas at elevations ranging from sea level to 300 feet. Much of the regional camping focuses around kettle ponds formed by receding glaciers during the last ice age. The camping season runs slightly longer at private campgrounds than state parks, with most sites closing by late October when overnight temperatures regularly drop into the 40s.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Myles Standish State Forest features beginner-friendly mountain biking options. A camper noted, "Great access to some beginner flowy mountain bike trails" while another mentioned it's a "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding New England towns."
Fishing opportunities: The Bourne Scenic Park provides direct access to Cape Cod Canal fishing. "If you like fishing this is your place," reports one visitor. The canal is known for striped bass fishing, particularly during the spring and fall runs when larger fish move through the waterway.
Swimming in kettle ponds: Many campgrounds feature natural pond swimming rather than pools. At Pinewood Lodge Campground, visitors appreciate "great views from our site of the pond. There was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on." Ponds typically warm up to comfortable swimming temperatures by late June.
What campers like
Clean facilities: State-run campgrounds maintain basic but functional facilities. At Wompatuck State Park Campground, a visitor reported, "Bathrooms are nice and dumpsters available for trash. Family type of campground so not the quietest place." Another camper appreciated that it was "quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites."
Varied site privacy levels: Privacy between sites differs significantly across campgrounds. At Charge Pond Campground, a camper noted sites are "nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy." This contrasts with Ellis-Haven Family Campground where "tent sites were good sized and not right on top of other people."
Family programming: Many private campgrounds organize regular activities. At Jellystone Park Cranberry Acres, visitors find "plenty of activities offered like miniature golf, basketball, horseshoes, a game room, and more." One family reported, "We did it all the campground offered and had a blast."
What you should know
Out-of-state fee differences: Massachusetts state parks charge substantially higher fees for non-residents. A camper at Wompatuck shared, "For out-of-state visitors, the cost might not be justifiable, with rates of $17-23 per night for in-state visitors and $60 for out of staters."
Variable shower conditions: Shower quality varies widely across campgrounds. At Massasoit State Park Campground, "The comfort stations (indoor bathroom and shower and outdoor sink area) were clean and well maintained and close to all the sites." However, at Pinewood Lodge, visitors noted "coin operating showers" that cost ".25 cents per 3 minutes."
Alcohol regulations: State parks prohibit alcohol while private campgrounds typically allow it. A visitor to Myles Standish mentioned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Kettle ponds provide swimming options for children. At Charge Pond, "There are bbqs, tables and bathrooms at the pond" making it easy for families to spend the day. Many campsites offer direct pond access, as "all the sites are basically on the water" at Curlew Pond.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature newly renovated playgrounds. Massasoit State Park has a "fantastic" playground that was "just installed" according to visitors. Shawme Crowell campers mention a playground "being revamped and looks awesome so far."
Weekend vs. weekday stays: Boston/Cape Cod KOA offers different experiences depending on timing. One visitor noted it's "a busy campground due to its location. Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions." For quieter family camping, midweek visits see dramatically lower occupancy at most area campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many regional campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Myles Standish, "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."
Hookup limitations: Water/electric sites are common, but sewer connections are limited. 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." Campgrounds typically maintain dump stations for end-of-stay waste disposal.
Advance reservations essential: Larger RVs should book early for appropriate sites. A visitor to the Boston/Cape Cod KOA recommended, "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."
