Camping options near Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts extend beyond Martha's Vineyard to include unique experiences throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The region's pine forests and kettle ponds create distinct camping environments from the coastal settings, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season. Campground proximity to water bodies remains a defining characteristic, with both freshwater and saltwater options available.
What to do
Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail: Nickerson State Park Campground connects directly to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail. "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," notes one camper who appreciates the extensive biking infrastructure.
Kayak to remote island sites: At Washburn Island Campsites, campers reach tent sites via boat access only. "Small island with 10 camp site (one group) all with views of the water very quiet at night. Fire pits at each site with wood on sale at the ranger hut," reports a visitor who enjoyed the secluded experience.
Fish the Cape Cod Canal: Bourne Scenic Park offers direct canal access for fishing enthusiasts. "If you like fishing this is your place," states one camper simply. The park features stair access to the canal bike path for convenient fishing spots.
Explore kettle ponds: The freshwater swimming options in Nickerson State Park provide alternatives to ocean 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," shares a regular visitor.
What campers like
Beach proximity without premium prices: Horseneck Beach State Reservation offers beachfront camping at state park rates. "Price of $20 for instate can't be beat," notes one Massachusetts resident, while another mentions "you are anywhere from 5 seconds to a 1 minute walk away from the beach."
Family-oriented amenities: Peters Pond RV Resort delivers comprehensive recreation options. "Great family campground" with "a great dog park, pool, large pond," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing. Kids loved the little pool slide."
Budget-friendly island access: Martha's Vineyard Family Campground offers affordable accommodations on an otherwise expensive island. "Pay $300-$500/night for a hotel or this campground for $35/night? I'll take the campground any day," shares an enthusiastic visitor who appreciates the value.
Dark skies for stargazing: Horseneck Beach campers enjoy exceptional night sky viewing. "The area is very dark at night so if you are into stargazing, this is a great place to bring a telescope or a good camera to take some pictures. We woke in the middle of the morning to see the Milky Way in the sky above us quite clearly."
What you should know
Reservation timing varies significantly: Most campgrounds book up months in advance, especially for peak summer weekends. At Washburn Island, "Campsites can be reserved 6 months in advance so it is tough to get one during the summer months but great camping in May, September, and October as well."
Alcohol policies differ by campground: State parks generally prohibit alcohol while private campgrounds allow it. One Shawme Crowell visitor notes, "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks."
Transportation planning is essential: Ferry reservations to Martha's Vineyard should be made alongside camping reservations. "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," advises a Martha's Vineyard Family Campground visitor.
Tick prevention is mandatory: Multiple campgrounds report tick concerns. One Horseneck Beach camper shared their experience: "The tick situation was just very difficult. We drowned ourselves in tick spray, but the ticks were overwhelming."
Tips for camping with families
Select camping loops strategically: At Shawme Crowell, "The second one has a playground while the first one does not. I would not recommend the first area if you have small children for this reason."
Check campground noise policies: Some campgrounds enforce stricter quiet hours than others. At Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, "There was music, yelling, and voices coming from everywhere. It does die down as it gets closer to quiet hours but that's at 11 pm and fires need to be out at midnight."
Consider off-peak timing: Families can enjoy significantly less crowded experiences in shoulder seasons. At Shawme Crowell, "The Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Look for built-in entertainment: Bay View Campground offers extensive recreation. "This campground has EVERYTHING one might want or need... If you are a walker, you'll enjoy the hilly accessible paved roads," explains one visitor. The campground also features multiple pools and sports courts.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at certain campgrounds. At Bourne Scenic Park, "Leveling was not an issue for us in our site (C-25) but 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."
Grey water disposal options: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups with creative solutions. Bourne Scenic Park provides "grey water dump stations randomly placed throughout the campground and can be accessed with a garden hose."
Site selection is critical: Research specific loops and sites before booking. "We had originally reserved Site 98 but there was a large rock and tree roots making it challenging to position our van. We were able to move to Site 95 which was much better," reports a Bay View Campground visitor.
Consider site privacy levels: At Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, "There are a lot of sites here and they are very close together so there is little privacy. But the sites are paved for your camper, have nice fire pits and a picnic table."
