Glamping in Sandwich, Massachusetts provides visitors with comfortable accommodations just 6.5 miles from Cape Cod Bay. The area features a mix of pine forests and kettle ponds, creating diverse natural settings for upgraded camping experiences. Cape Cod's typical summer temperatures range from 70-85°F, making it ideal for outdoor recreation from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Bike the Cape Cod Canal: The Cape Cod Canal Bikeway offers miles of paved trails accessible from several campgrounds. At Bourne Scenic Park, campers enjoy direct canal access. "The path to walk or bike was well kept and overall it was a beautiful place to be!" notes Paige R.
Fishing opportunities: Waterfront camping provides excellent fishing access throughout the region. "If you like fishing this is your place," says Rick R. about Bourne Scenic Park. The canal and nearby ponds support various fish species year-round.
Pond swimming: Natural freshwater swimming in kettle ponds offers a quieter alternative to ocean beaches. Nickerson State Park Campground features multiple swimming areas. "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 Phil Y.
Nature trails: Wooded trails connect many camping areas to natural features. "There are miles of bike paths that connect to many towns on Cape Cod. Beautiful beaches are just down the road from the campground," explains Glenn B. about Nickerson State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots away from crowded settings. At Myles Standish State Forest, "Vegetation between sites for privacy. We stayed in loop b south, which is really not a loop but a dead end. Very quiet, and we were the only people in the loop for a couple of days," reports Amie C.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting outside peak summer months reduces crowds significantly. "We stayed here in October and it was a little too chilly for us to camp but we gave it a shot. The campground wasn't too big and the sites offered a lot of privacy," shares Gina M. about Shawme Crowell State Forest.
Hot showers: Clean bathroom facilities rank high among camper priorities. "The bathhouse was fairly decent," mentions Kim R. at Myles Standish, adding that "each loop has one bathhouse" and there were "at least three outlets in the women's room which was convenient for a quick cell phone charge."
Natural settings: Pine forests create comfortable camping environments. "Great forest. Nothing like the rest of cape cod. Lots of pines and trails through the woods," notes Matt H. about Shawme Crowell State Forest.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to their proximity to major highways. At Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, "It is very close to Rt 6 so the traffic noise is almost constant especially Friday nights. Not recommended for light sleepers but very convenient," advises Tim C.
Limited tent sites: Several glamping-oriented campgrounds offer few designated tent sites. Scusset Beach State Reservation has "only 5 designated tent sites during the peak season, so if you want to tent camp here, you'd best make a reservation well in advance," warns Jean C.
Bathhouse conditions: Bathroom cleanliness varies widely between facilities. "The bathrooms weren't that clean. It wasn't the worst bathroom, but it could have been a little more attended to. It scored a - 'not so bad that we'd never come back' rating from the girls," remarks Kim R.
Site levelness: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that requires preparation. "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," notes Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Family-friendly campgrounds typically offer dedicated play areas. Pinewood Lodge Campground provides "plenty of things to do" according to Michael K., while featuring "lots of activities for the kids" as Stephen R. points out.
Consider pond access: Freshwater beaches offer safer swimming for children than ocean beaches. At Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, "private little lake with rentals & fishing, 2 pools, playground, store, etc." creates a complete family environment according to Aliceon W.
Check for scheduled activities: Many campgrounds offer organized family programs during peak season. Paula T. notes that Shawme Crowell has a playground that was "being revamped and looks awesome," providing a central activity hub for younger campers.
Beware of site spacing: During busy periods, some campgrounds become crowded. "Felt like I was camping with the people on the next site," mentions Douglas L. about Bourne Scenic Park, highlighting the importance of selecting more secluded sites when possible.
Tips from RVers
Reserve early for hookups: Full-service sites book quickly, especially during peak season. At Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, "glamping sites include full hookup, fire pit with chairs, octagon shaped picnic table and stone patio for your rv front door," according to Stacy M.
Gray water disposal: Some campgrounds have unique waste disposal systems. Nancy W. explains that 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."
Off-season availability: Extended camping seasons benefit self-contained RVs. "Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off," notes Jean C.
Site selection matters: Taking time to find the right site improves the camping experience. "We choose a pull-thru because of our length. Utilities were well-placed and all worked well. The cable hook-up yielded 99 channels," shares Nancy W. about setup at Bourne Scenic Park.
