Cape Cod's outer peninsula offers camping options concentrated along the Route 6 corridor. Wellfleet sits at the narrowest part of the Cape, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Cape Cod Bay to the west. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with cooling ocean breezes, while spring and fall camping seasons feature 55-65°F temperatures that require warmer sleeping bags. The sandy soil drains well, creating dry campsites even after rain.
What to do
Biking on rail trails: The Cape Cod Rail Trail connects directly to several campgrounds near Wellfleet. "Great location, convenient and full hook ups. Only thing needed update bathrooms. Staff is very nice and helpful," notes a visitor to Coastal Acres Campground in nearby Provincetown. At Sweetwater Forest, campers appreciate the "close proximity to the bike trail and town of Brewster."
Pond swimming: The freshwater kettle ponds provide alternative swimming spots to ocean beaches. "We were on site B17 and it was perfect. Complete 360 privacy, well wooded, and just what was needed. Listen to the sounds of frogs at night was kinda awesome," reports a Sweetwater Forest camper. These freshwater swimming areas have no tide concerns or undertow issues.
Beach fires with permits: While many campgrounds prohibit open fires on campsites, beach fire permits allow evening gatherings. "The owners are VERY strict on their quiet hours policy (1030pm – 730am), and they are very restrictive on some noises during the day as well," explains a visitor to North of Highland Camping Area, where beach fires provide an alternative.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: The pine forest camping areas create natural spacing between sites. "Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy," reports a camper at Myles Standish State Forest. At Sweetwater Forest, a visitor noted the "pleasant, secluded sites. This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited."
Proximity to town amenities: Many campgrounds offer walking or biking distance to local shops and restaurants. "This place was basically in town!! It was so great to walk into town every day. It was well maintained," shares a camper at Coastal Acres. Another notes it's "a great location and within walking distance to Commercial Street."
Access to national seashore: The Cape Cod National Seashore borders several campgrounds. "Great tent sites well wooded and spaced far apart. Book in advance in August. Pets welcome a big bonus. Right next to Cape Cod National Seashore," explains a camper at Adventure Bound Cape Cod: Horton's Campground. This proximity allows for easy beach access without driving.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer season fills quickly at most Cape Cod campgrounds. "We arrived around 10 am on a Saturday morning, and even though it was the weekend before July 4th, there were still several sites available for walk-ins (they have more than 250 sites)," notes a camper at North of Highland, though this is uncommon during peak season.
No-fire policies: Many campgrounds restrict open fires due to conservation regulations. At Dunes' Edge Campground, a camper reports, "Small sites with limited parking. Friendly people and staff. Clean facilities but outdated bathrooms/showers. No fires allowed."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking alternative accommodations, yurt camping in Wellfleet, Massachusetts provides solid structures with more comfort than tents. "Solid state park. The yurts kind of suck. Kind of dirty, but would keep you real dry if it got wet," notes a candid review from Nickerson State Park Campground.
Coin-operated showers: Many campgrounds require quarters for shower facilities. "The bathroom amenities were good, but bring quarters for showers. For 1 quarter you get 7 min of hot water so it was a good deal, I thought," explains a North of Highland camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Huge area with all the recreation you can dream of. This spot fills up quick so reservations well ahead of time are needed," reports a Nickerson visitor, where multiple playground areas serve different age groups.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cape Cod camping offers encounters with local animals. One Sweetwater Forest camper noted it "sits adjacent to a small horse farm, so that adds to the ambiance." At Coastal Acres, a camper mentioned "lots of wildlife around. A turkey wandered thru our site."
Beach proximity considerations: Walking distance to beaches varies significantly between campgrounds. "The tent sites are also designed nicely, and this campground does have showers," notes a Dunes' Edge camper, though they caution, "The name is somewhat misleading; Dunes' Edge is right on route 6, so I heard highway traffic ALL night."
Tips for RVers
Size restrictions: Many Cape Cod campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "We spent one night here in our RV and rode bikes into Provincetown. This campground is pretty tight if you have a big rig, but our 24ft was just fine," shares a Coastal Acres visitor.
Utility hookup variability: Electric, water, and sewer availability differs significantly between campgrounds. "The campground doesn't have hook ups, but there is a dump station with water and water available around the loops," notes a Myles Standish camper about their facilities.
Road condition awareness: Campground access roads may present challenges for larger vehicles. "The roads throughout the campground are in kind of rough shape and could use more signage (a lot are one-way and sometimes hard to distinguish from campsite parking spots)," cautions a North of Highland visitor.
