Cape Cod campgrounds near South Orleans, Massachusetts provide diverse camping environments within the region's glacial terrain. Most South Orleans RV campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October due to the region's cold winters and wet springs. The area features several freshwater kettle ponds formed by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago, offering alternatives to ocean swimming.
What to do
Biking on rail trails: The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through several campgrounds including Nickerson State Park. "This is a great park for mountain biking, there are trails everywhere. Check NEMBA website for a trail map," notes a visitor to Nickerson State Park Campground.
Freshwater swimming: Many campgrounds offer pond access as 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," reports a camper at Nickerson State Park.
Beach access: Some campgrounds provide direct or nearby beach access. At Adventure Bound Camping Resorts Cape Cod, one reviewer mentions, "Walk to the beach. Trash pick up. Clean bathrooms and showers, don't forget to bring quarters for the shower."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Many campers appreciate the wooded settings available. "The sites are secluded and spaced decently apart. They have many options of places to explore and things to do," writes a camper at Sweetwater Forest.
Quieter off-season camping: Several campers recommend visiting outside peak summer months. "I was here early in the season (May) and again late in the season (October). Not sure how crazy it gets in July and August," reports a visitor at Old Chatham Road RV Resort.
Pond recreation: Many campgrounds feature ponds for swimming and fishing. At Peters Pond RV Resort, one camper notes, "We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Cape Cod campgrounds require advance planning. "Cape Cod campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when availability becomes extremely limited," notes a reviewer.
Varied site privacy: Privacy between sites varies significantly between campgrounds. "This was my first time at this campground and I have to say, it was a great place to stay. The campsites that I saw are not right on top of each other," writes a camper at Shady Knoll Campground.
Cell service: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. "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! So it's worth the cost, if you don't have any other options," reports a camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Pond swimming for kids: Several campgrounds offer pond swimming as family-friendly alternatives to ocean beaches. "The pool and pond were both great for swimming and they did have some lounge chairs to use at pond," notes a visitor at Peters Pond RV Resort.
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "They have a nice pool and playground area for the kids. The staff are friendly and ready to help," shares a camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort.
Nature trails: Many campgrounds feature walking paths suitable for families. At Shady Knoll Campground, a visitor mentions, "There's a great walking trail connected to the campground. They have good access to the bay beaches and the Cape Cod Rail Trail."
Tips from RVers
Campground access: Road conditions can present challenges at some locations. "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," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod.
Site sizes: RV sites vary significantly in size and accessibility. "The sites are spacious and the staff was awesome having just recovered from 4 back to back nor easters," notes a camper at Peters Pond RV Resort.
Seasonal considerations: Most rv campgrounds near South Orleans close during winter months. "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," writes a reviewer at Peters Pond RV Resort.
