Best Campgrounds near South Dennis, MA

Cape Cod's South Dennis area features several established campgrounds offering a mix of camping styles within easy reach of beaches and recreation. Sweetwater Forest in Brewster provides tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations on wooded sites with full hookups. Nearby Campers Haven RV Resort in Dennisport offers beachfront camping with direct access to Nantucket Sound. These developed campgrounds are typically located along Route 6 and connecting roads, providing good access to Cape Cod's attractions while maintaining a natural setting among the region's distinctive pine forests.

The camping season on Cape Cod generally runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Nickerson State Park operates from April 18 to October 25, while smaller private campgrounds like Shady Knoll maintain similar seasonal schedules. A camper noted that "this campground is centrally located to everything! Can get to the Cape Cod rail trail easily!" Road access throughout the region is generally good, with paved routes to most established campgrounds. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when beaches draw large crowds. Many campgrounds fill completely on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, particularly those with waterfront access or swimming facilities.

Several visitors highlighted the wooded nature of camping options in the region. One reviewer described Sweetwater Forest as having "sites that are secluded and spaced decently apart," while another mentioned that "each site is sectioned off to its own space, is dirt, level, and tree-hugged on every site." Most developed campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities including showers, restrooms, and hookups, though capabilities vary widely. Private campgrounds typically offer more amenities like camp stores, recreation areas, and playgrounds. The proximity to both bay and ocean beaches represents a major draw for campers, with several campgrounds positioned within minutes of swimming areas. Cape Cod's bike trail network also connects many campgrounds, providing car-free recreation options for visitors staying at established facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near South Dennis, Massachusetts (48)

    1. Nickerson State Park Campground

    42 Reviews
    Orleans, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 896-3491

    $22 - $55 / night

    "It is at the edge of the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike Path from where you can access both bay side and ocean beaches by bike. it is also walking distance to a bayside beach."

    "We even got the Massachusetts resident discount with his home address. When we arrived, it was a very easy check in. They gave us directions to our site and even to the store to buy fire wood."

    2. Sweetwater Forest

    16 Reviews
    Brewster, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 896-3773

    "Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent. The camp store was well stocked and offered hot coffee and a variety of grocery items."

    "Nothing but positive things to say, if you haven’t tried it, defintely do. C loop sites our favorite, but really not a terrible site in the place, depending on what you camp in."

    3. Shady Knoll Campground

    16 Reviews
    Brewster, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 896-3002

    $50 - $88 / night

    "There’s a great walking trail connected to the campground. They have good access to the bay beaches and the Cape Cod Rail Trail- although you do have to drive ona busy road to get there."

    "Well situated within Brewster, with a great small grocery store a two minute walk from the campground entrance."

    4. Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground

    21 Reviews
    Sandwich, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 888-0351

    $17 - $55 / night

    "I like this campground because it is close to home.  There isn't much to do here within the campground.  It has two areas.  The one nearer the camp entrance is smaller than the second. "

    "We have stayed here during our exploration around cape cod. It's a but farther away from the main location, but we loved the quiet and tranquility of this campground."

    5. Campers Haven RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Dennis Port, MA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 398-2811

    "Private beach and close to many other areas. Office staff nice and helpful."

    "Came over, from her nearby home, to welcome us at gate with a super friendly, upbeat smile and a gift kit for our pup. Made us feel so WELCOME!"

    6. Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites

    4 Reviews
    West Barnstable, MA
    9 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "The park has 5 dispersed sites located 3-4 miles from the trailhead with picnic tables and an outhouse."

    "All around a great place to camp"

    7. Atlantic Oaks Campground

    7 Reviews
    North Eastham, MA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 255-1437

    $50 - $104 / night

    "There are a few really nice tent sites next to the playground, close to the store, showers, and restrooms. Facilities were uncrowded and very clean."

    "Access to the Cape Cod bike trail @ the campground. Clean facilities. We like more secluded sites but for a last minute reservation the local spots are too good to miss."

    8. Old Chatham Road RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    South Dennis, MA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    9. Peters Pond RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Forestdale, MA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 477-1775

    "Convenient location, beautiful pond on beautiful cape cod, Ma. My family has gone there for years with neighbors and always enjoyed our stay."

    10. Scusset Beach State Reservation

    8 Reviews
    Sandwich, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 888-0859

    $22 - $34 / night

    "It's located close to the Sagamore Bridge on the mainland side. Traffic can be messy in the summer, especially on weekend days! The campground itself is a haven for RVs."

    "State run campground located at beginning of cape cod route 6. The sites can accommodate large rvs and tents. They are dog friendly however, not allowed on beach during peak summer season."

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Recent Reviews near South Dennis, MA

410 Reviews of 48 South Dennis Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Coastal Acres Campground

    Cozy and Quiet

    Provincetown is walking distance (1 mile down a path). We called at the last minute and were able to get in. Very clean, easy, and friendly hosts.

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Boston/Cape Cod KOA

    Koa Cape Cod

    Stayed in several KOAs over last few weeks. I would say needs attention. Appearance is not up to standard. Restrooms and grounds are not as clean by comparison.

  • Colin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Dunes' Edge Campground - Provincetown Camping

    Very nice and quiet camp ground.

    A very nice and quiet camp ground. No generators, and air conditioners allowed, just the noise of nature. Also, no dish washing at camp sites. You must use one of the two wash stations.

    Very friendly staff and clean facilities, and they believe in recycling. Just watch the pot hole on the way in.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins

    Lovely campground

    Can’t go wrong with this campground. Well maintained, clean, kind staff and close to everything.

  • Eddie A.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Scusset Beach State Reservation

    Great place to Bike and fish and of course enjoy nature

    Beautiful place overall Staff are very kind , professional and helpful

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Coastal Acres Campground

    Tight but friendly

    Sites are a tight squeeze but the charm is unmistakable. The staff(Deb and Lucy) are fabulous! The welcome is unmatched. You are within walking distance of all downtown activities. There are bike and jeep trails. No fire rings and not much privacy. Would come again!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Massasoit State Park Campground

    Campsite was great, staff was rough

    I loved our campsite. But the staff was pretty rude. I was there for a family reunion. I told the staff my mom and dad would be dropping me off the next day, so they added their name to the site as it is a mile walk in. They didn’t give us another car tag, just said if there names were in the site we were good. Next night, we get dropped off in the rain, with a 50 lb bag of dog food and they wouldn’t let me parents take me to my site. Eventually we convinced them of we left my dad and sister at the front gate with them in the pouring rain, my mom could drive us in. They never even checked our reservation to see if the names were in there. Bring a car if you are camping here in a motorhome

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • G
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Coastal Acres Campground

    Favorite campsite of all time

    Absolutely adore this campground. Much of what others have said in the reviews is true – the sites are small and there’s not a ton of privacy in many spots (although you certainly can find more private spots if you know which to book). But none of this is really matters given the location. Less than 10 minute walk to downtown Provincetown, and an extremely safe, enjoyable walk. You cannot beat the access to one of the best towns in the world. The campground also felt very safe and incredibly quiet.


Guide to South Dennis

Cape Cod camping options near South Dennis are concentrated along Route 6, with most campgrounds nestled within pine forests at elevations under 100 feet. The region experiences humid summers with daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through August and cooler nights in the 60s. Most campgrounds in this area sit on sandy soil that drains quickly after rainfall, creating firm camping surfaces but sometimes dusty conditions during dry spells.

What to do

Bike the Rail Trail: Nickerson State Park Campground offers excellent access to Cape Cod's extensive bike path network. One camper noted that there are "miles of bike paths that connect to many towns on Cape Cod," making it easy to explore the area without driving. The park itself features numerous internal trails as well.

Fishing opportunities: Peters Pond RV Resort provides "great fishing" according to a reviewer. The campground centers around a substantial pond where anglers can try their luck at catching local freshwater species.

Beach exploration: Coastal access varies by campground location. At Scusset Beach State Reservation, campers appreciate that "the beach is clean, with beautiful, white, rock-free sand" and includes amenities like a "small snack bar with basic food options, bathroom and locker room facilities, picnic tables and plenty of parking."

Visit Wellfleet Drive-in: Located minutes from Atlantic Oaks Campground, this vintage entertainment venue offers a nostalgic evening activity. A visitor mentioned seeing "Jaws (Jaws~ in Cape Cod!)" there and "had a great evening."

What campers like

Secluded campsites: Shady Knoll Campground receives praise for its "sites that are private" and overall atmosphere described as "very quiet and in a convenient location" by one reviewer. Another camper mentioned it was "very peaceful and close to the beach."

Freshwater swimming: While ocean beaches attract most visitors, local kettle ponds provide alternative swimming options. A reviewer at Nickerson State Park described "clean, freshwater swimming at the kettle ponds (which are usually uncrowded and within less than a minute's walk from our campsite) is incredible."

Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for restrooms and showers. A camper at Sweetwater Forest noted "shower/bath facilities extremely well kept and accessible," while another described it as "quiet, clean, and in a lovely location."

Waterfront options: For those seeking immediate water access, Campers Haven RV Resort offers beachfront sites. A reviewer appreciated the "private beach" and noted it was "close to many other areas."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Cape Cod campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Nickerson State Park, a camper advised that "this spot fills up quick so reservations well ahead of time are needed."

Site surfaces vary: Many campgrounds feature sandy sites. Atlantic Oaks Campground has "mostly sandy gravel sites with lots of shade available," while a visitor to Sweetwater Forest mentioned "a little dusty because of the sand lot and roads."

Beach access limitations: Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites offers unique beach camping but requires specific equipment. A reviewer noted: "You need a sandy neck ORV pass and a self contained camper (toilet) to camp here, but it's very worth it."

Campfire regulations: Fire policies differ between campgrounds. At Scusset Beach State Reservation, "only the tent sites are allowed to have fires, all other sites you must do your cooking on a stove, and no fires are allowed."

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Peters Pond RV Resort receives good marks for family amenities. One visitor mentioned the campground has "a great dog park, pool, large pond" and noted it was "family oriented."

Protected swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming options away from ocean currents. A visitor to Sweetwater Forest mentioned a "pond that's good for boating but not swimming" while noting the campground has "multiple playgrounds."

Off-season advantages: For families with scheduling flexibility, visiting outside peak periods provides benefits. At Atlantic Oaks Campground, a camper reported facilities were "uncrowded and very clean" with a "wonderful playground for the kids, big and small."

Proximity to attractions: Location matters for family outings. One review described Sweetwater Forest as being in "a great location on The Cape" while another noted its "close drive to a beautiful beach and other area beach activities."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: At Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground, an RVer pointed out that "the tent sites tend to be on short spurs that may be hilly and uneven, so would be difficult to navigate with a trailer or larger vehicle."

Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer complete utility connections. A visitor to Sweetwater Forest noted "site A-31 for 3 nights with full hookup" allowed them to comfortably explore Cape Cod, though they cautioned "there are limited full hookup big rig sites, and they book up in advance."

Campground layout considerations: At Scusset Beach State Reservation, RVers should know "the RV sites have paved parking pads and picnic tables, but the area to the side of the parking pads sometimes slopes away, so it's less usable for chairs, etc."

After-hours arrival procedures: Late check-ins require planning. One RVer at Campers Haven noted the manager "happily agreed to let us head on in well after dark at almost 10pm. Came over, from her nearby home, to welcome us at gate."

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in South Dennis, MA?

South Dennis itself has limited camping options, but the surrounding Cape Cod area offers excellent alternatives. Campers Haven RV Resort in nearby Dennisport provides waterfront RV camping with full hookups. For those willing to drive a short distance, Nickerson State Park Campground in Brewster offers a more natural setting with access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path and both bay and ocean beaches. These campgrounds provide convenient bases for exploring South Dennis and the broader Cape Cod region.

What amenities are offered at South Dennis camping areas?

Camping areas near South Dennis offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground provides hot showers, bathroom facilities, and two separate camping areas, with one featuring a playground for families. Scusset Beach State Reservation caters primarily to RVs with only five designated tent sites, but offers beach access and modern facilities. Most Cape Cod campgrounds provide water sources, restrooms, and fire rings, while RV-focused campgrounds typically include electrical hookups and dump stations.

How much do campgrounds in South Dennis cost compared to nearby towns?

Campground costs on Cape Cod vary significantly. Wellfleet Hollow State Campground offers inexpensive, rustic camping options, though out-of-state visitors face higher rates than Massachusetts residents. Similarly, Horseneck Beach State Reservation has been noted for its price differential between residents and non-residents. Generally, state-operated campgrounds are more affordable than private RV resorts, with prices ranging from $25-45 per night for state parks and $50-100+ for private campgrounds with full amenities.