Cape Cod's North Chatham area features a diverse camping environment within Massachusetts' eastern coastal region. Located in Barnstable County, the area sits just 88 feet above sea level with temperatures averaging 70-80°F during summer camping season. Campgrounds near North Chatham offer a mix of heavily wooded pine sites and beachside accommodations during their typical April-to-October operating seasons.
What to do
Rail Trail biking: Access the Cape Cod Rail Trail directly from Nickerson State Park Campground where paved and unpaved trails connect to numerous towns. "There are great sites, gorgeous ponds for swimming, trails for hiking, trails for hiking, nearby beaches, and more! Huge area with all the recreation you can dream of," notes one visitor.
Fishing at local ponds: The kettle ponds at several campgrounds provide excellent fishing opportunities. "There is a huge area of walking and bike paths adjacent to the campground," mentions one camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort, while at Peters Pond, campers report "great fishing and nice clean sites."
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide direct or nearby beach access. Adventure Bound in North Truro offers proximity to the Cape Cod National Seashore. "Walk to the beach. Trash pick up. Clean bathrooms and showers," reports a camper, noting the location is "close to the beach" despite the walk being "almost 2 miles."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers value the privacy and shade provided by Cape Cod campgrounds. At Sweetwater Forest, visitors appreciate the natural setting: "Separate RV and tent areas. The tent area is in a woodsy hollow full of birds and interesting wildlife." Another camper noted their site was "Complete 360 privacy, well wooded, and just what was needed."
Swimming options: Beyond ocean beaches, many campgrounds feature pond swimming. A visitor at Peters Pond RV Resort shared: "The pool and pond were both great for swimming and they did have some lounge chairs to use at pond." Another mentioned "We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing."
Evening quiet: Despite high occupancy during peak season, many campgrounds maintain peaceful evenings. One camper at Sweetwater Forest remarked it was "the quietest campground during quiet hours that I've ever visited. Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most rv parks near North Chatham, Massachusetts close between late October and mid-April. "We were here early in the season (May) and again late in the season (October). Not sure how crazy it gets in July and August," notes a camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort.
Variable connectivity: Cellular and internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Old Chatham Road, a camper reported: "AT&T hotspot worked well even for zoom calls. Verizon on my phone a bit weak. Camp link Wifi costs extra but actually works well!"
Reservation requirements: Adventure Bound Camping Resorts Cape Cod and other popular campgrounds require advance booking: "Book in advance in August," advises one camper, while another at Nickerson State Park notes "This spot fills up quick so reservations well ahead of time are needed."
Weather considerations: Cape Cod camping includes weather variables affecting stays. One Peters Pond visitor remembered: "When we stayed here unfortunately there was a power outage which made it difficult. But the staff was great and offered discount on return trip even though not their fault it was a town outage."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv parks near North Chatham offer dedicated children's areas. At Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod, a visitor noted they "Had good kids crafts" and appreciated the "easy access to Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Boston."
Off-season visits: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider shoulder season camping. "We stayed at the campground and loved it. School started late so we were able to book after the holiday in September. Weather was still warm. Pool was good, pond was great. It was not crowded that time of year," shared a Peters Pond camper.
Pet-friendly options: Many families travel with pets, and Shady Knoll Campground accommodates them well. "We stayed 3 nights on site 58. Campground was super clean and well maintained. They allow fires until 11pm. It was very quiet and the staff were very helpful," mentioned one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site selection: When booking RV camping in North Chatham, consider site location carefully. "Section A is right near the entrance and this is where most of the transient sites are. They are first come first serve," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds present navigation challenges for larger RVs. At Gateway to Cape Cod, a camper observed: "Driving around picking my site, the roads were extremely uneven and the rain had created huge lakes in the middle of the road as well as on the sites themselves."
Site size considerations: Campers Haven RV Resort offers accommodations for larger vehicles: "We have a 40' 5th wheel (big rig) with 4 slide outs. Would have prob been in a Walmart parking lot, IF the mngr, Karen, wasn't so AWESOME!!!" Another visitor noted that "transient sites recently renovated" make this location suitable for larger RVs.
