Duxbury, Massachusetts and surrounding towns feature diverse yurt camping options within a 30-mile radius. The area sits on glacial deposits forming kettle ponds and sandy soil, creating unique camping terrain throughout Plymouth County. Winter temperatures typically drop to 22°F while summer averages reach 82°F, making May through October the primary camping season for yurt accommodations.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Myles Standish State Forest offers miles of designated paths through pine forests and around kettle ponds. "There are several miles of bile trails that were very enjoyable," notes one visitor, while another mentions it's a "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns."
Fishing opportunities: Barrett's Pond Campground provides access to multiple fishing spots where campers can catch various freshwater species. A visitor to Coastal Acres Campground noted their favorite activity was "Best trail around Great Island trail close by. Beaches surround you."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds feature swimming beaches and boating access. At Ellis-Haven Family Campground, campers enjoy "Very nice beach on the pond, with lots of docks and rafts to swim out to. They also rent paddle boats," according to one reviewer who appreciated the water amenities.
Cape Cod excursions: Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Cape Cod. One camper described it as "Great forest. Nothing like the rest of cape cod. Lots of pines and trails through the woods," making it ideal for day trips to coastal attractions.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at select campgrounds. A guest at Pinewood Lodge Campground noted: "Nice and quiet, here for a 3 night stay," while another mentioned "Sites are level, staff was awesome."
Pond accessibility: Direct water access ranks high among camper priorities. A visitor to Pinewood Lodge shared: "Site was level, staff is awesome. They do have a dog park and plenty of things to do," highlighting the combination of practical amenities and recreation.
Family-friendly activities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA earns praise for its recreational options. One camper described it as having "all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground."
Location convenience: Proximity to attractions matters to many campers. At Coastal Acres Campground, a visitor appreciated being "within walking distance of all downtown activities," while another noted it's "a great location and within walking distance to Commercial Street."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most yurt facilities book months in advance, especially during summer. For Barretts Pond Campground in Myles Standish State Forest, one visitor noted that despite having "about 400 spots, you may find that some area's are more to your liking when it comes to things like more sun or more shade."
Shower facilities: Shower availability varies widely between properties. At Pinewood Lodge, a visitor mentioned "Don't care for the coin operating showers," while at Boston/Cape Cod KOA, someone reported "There were long lines for showers every night."
Campground rules: Alcohol policies differ between properties. One camper at Myles Standish State Forest observed: "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."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads. At Shawme Crowell, a visitor warned: "It is also very close to Rt 6 so the traffic noise is almost constant especially Friday nights. Not recommended for light sleepers but very convenient."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing: Consider weekdays for a quieter experience. A visitor to Myles Standish State Forest noted: "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity... But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty."
Water activities: Seek campgrounds with swimming options for children. At Ellis-Haven Family Campground, visitors appreciate the "very nice beach on the pond, with lots of docks and rafts to swim out to."
Playground access: Facilities with play areas provide entertainment options. A Boston/Cape Cod KOA visitor mentioned: "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts."
Yurt selection: When booking yurt accommodations, consider location within the campground. At Barrett's Pond, a visitor advised: "Approaches to Yurt JC and J5, J 26, J27 are sloped. J14 is a little awkward. J33 is probably among the largest and nicest with a pond view."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain. At Normandy Farms Campground, one RVer advised: "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."
Dump station access: Many campgrounds lack full hookups. At Myles Standish, a visitor noted: "The sites don't have water or electric. The bath houses are clean and accessible."
Seasonal considerations: RV camping is highly seasonal in the Duxbury area. At Bourne Scenic Park, one RVer explained: "50% of them can be reserved for the entire season (April 1st – October 30th) which is nice if you want to stay long-term."
Privacy levels: Site layout affects camping quality. An RVer at Coastal Acres Campground explained: "Sites are a tight squeeze but the charm is unmistakable... No fire rings and not much privacy," showing how space constraints influence the experience.
