The Plympton area of Massachusetts sits between Boston's metropolitan area and Cape Cod, making it a strategic base for regional exploration. Located in Plymouth County at an elevation of approximately 100 feet above sea level, the terrain features gentle hills and wooded areas with several kettle ponds formed by glacial activity. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, ideal for camping from May through October when most local campgrounds operate at full capacity.
What to do
Hiking trails at Charge Pond: The trail system at Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest offers over 20 miles of hiking paths through pine forests. "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns," notes Mike M., who appreciates the connectivity to nearby areas.
Freshwater swimming: Several campgrounds feature spring-fed kettle ponds with sandy beaches for swimming. According to Katie D., "Swimming, fishing, camping, hiking, trails, boating and more await. Forest staff are so nice, extremely helpful, and take any issues seriously."
Biking the Cape Cod Canal: From Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, campers can access the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway for flat, scenic riding. "The Cape Cod Canal Bikeway is nearby and provides easy biking and exploration," mentions Jean C., highlighting this accessible activity option for families.
Visit Plymouth historical sites: Most campgrounds are within 10-15 minutes of Plymouth's historical attractions. A camper at Ellis-Haven Family Campground mentions, "We did visit Plymouth and saw what it had to offer," making it clear this is a convenient base for historical exploration.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Curlew Pond in Myles Standish offers direct water access from many sites. "All the sites are basically on the water. It's great," reports Tim S., though he notes the map on the reservation website doesn't accurately show this benefit.
Off-leash dog areas: Beyond the general pet-friendly camping near Plympton, Pinewood Lodge Campground offers specialized pet amenities. "There is a dog park, though," notes Jean R., who appreciates this feature despite some restrictions on where dogs can walk.
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds have updated their bathroom facilities in recent years. Michael K. found that "Site was level, staff was awesome. They do have a dog park and plenty of things to do. Didn't like that you have to pay for hot water though," highlighting both positives and limitations.
Seasonal activities: Weekend events keep campers entertained, especially at family-oriented campgrounds. "Nice campground for any type of camping, convenient to all kinds of shopping and touristy things, amazing campground staff, nice pond for fishing or swimming, lots of activities and celebrations for every age group," says Jim and Kim P.
What you should know
Variable site privacy: Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. At Wompatuck State Park Campground, Tim L. notes, "Sites are more secluded than other camp grounds but can be a bit small."
Weekend vs. weekday experience: Occupancy levels change dramatically. Kyle C. observes, "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity, like it was when we stayed. But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Shower facilities vary: Some campgrounds charge for hot showers. Stephen R. at Pinewood Lodge mentioned, "Very quiet place, beautiful sites nice fireplaces bathrooms are close by and clean. Don't care for the coin operating showers."
Noise considerations: Traffic noise affects some campgrounds. At Shawme Crowell, one camper notes, "Price is right and always very well maintained. 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
Playground access: Jellystone Park™ Cranberry Acres offers extensive children's activities. "This campground is a lovely campground we went with my family and children lots of things to do we had a blast," shares Cheryl C., emphasizing the family-friendly atmosphere.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming beaches and water play areas. Stephanie B. recommends Charge Pond, saying "We stay at Myles Standish every June. We stay in the charge pond area which is a smaller pond but nice and clean. There are bbqs, tables and bathrooms at the pond."
Bring bikes: Many campgrounds have paved internal roads ideal for kids learning to ride. "Definitely bring bikes to do some exploring. We found a large pond and an underground bunker to venture into," suggests Jess G., highlighting exploration opportunities at Wompatuck State Park.
Plan for varied weather: Summer temperatures can fluctuate, with occasional rain showers. A camper at Massasoit State Park observed, "Nice sites, great playgroung for the kids," indicating the value of having both outdoor and sheltered activity options.
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: For Boston/Cape Cod KOA, book premium sites well in advance, especially for larger rigs. Kirk S. advises, "This is a nice campground with multiple site type options... Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions. I recommend having reservations if you want to stay at this campground, between Memorial Day and Labor Day."
Site selection matters: When booking, request specific areas based on your priorities. Janet P. learned this lesson: "I have belong to KOA's for quite a few years and I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay... I'll never book The basic campsite again I'll pay the few extra dollars to have a bigger site it's so worth it."
Utility availability: Check which campgrounds offer full hookups versus partial. At Massasoit State Park, campers note that sites are divided between those with and without utilities: "We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. Paulina B. shared her experience: "Despite seeing several other sites that could have accommodated our rig size, K05 was the only option available when booking online. The site was small and tight."
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