The West Tisbury region of Martha's Vineyard sits at approximately 100 feet above sea level, offering a slightly elevated perspective compared to coastal areas of the island. The town experiences milder temperatures than mainland Massachusetts, with summer averages of 75-80°F and winter lows rarely dipping below 25°F. Camping facilities near West Tisbury can reach capacity during July and August when ferry traffic to the island peaks.
What to do
Explore freshwater ponds: Nickerson State Park Campground provides access to several kettle ponds for swimming and fishing. "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," mentions a camper at Nickerson State Park Campground.
Visit island alpaca farms: Located minutes from campgrounds on the Vineyard. "Definitely recommend seeing the lighthouses. And of course the Island Alpaca farm right done the street. Excellent trip," notes a visitor to Marthas Vineyard Family Campground.
Bike the rail trails: Access the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail directly from some campgrounds. "The bike path and network of trails through the park (that connect to the beautiful 22 mile long Cape Cod Rail Trail) make for great bike riding and early morning running," shares a Nickerson State Park visitor.
Fish the Cape Cod Canal: The canal offers excellent fishing opportunities. "If you like fishing this is your place," reports a camper at Bourne Scenic Park, describing the canal-side fishing access.
What campers like
Affordable island accommodations: Budget-friendly cabins near West Tisbury offer substantial savings. "Pay $300-$500/night for a hotel or this campground for $35/night? I'll take the campground any day," states a camper at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.
Transportation convenience: Island bus service connects campgrounds to beaches and towns. "You can take the ferry to Vineyard Haven ($15 round trip) and catch the island bus ($30 for a week pass) that will drop you right in front of the campground," notes a Martha's Vineyard Family Campground visitor.
Clean facilities: Some campgrounds maintain excellent standards for shared facilities. "The bathroom and showers were near spotless despite the summer crowd, and it was common to see cleaning occurring throughout the day," reports a visitor to Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.
Recreational variety: Ponds, pools, and playgrounds provide multiple activity options. "They have a great dog park, pool, large pond," shares a camper at Peters Pond RV Resort, which offers cabin accommodations near Cape Cod.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most Cape Cod cabin accommodations operate on limited schedules. "This state park is an oasis in the middle of a busy tourist destination. The sites are large, although no hook ups," explains a visitor to Nickerson State Park Campground regarding their seasonal operations from April to October.
Weekend ferry bookings: Reserve ferry passage well in advance during peak summer months. "Easy booking for campsite and ferry to get here," mentions a camper at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground, though this ease typically applies only to advance bookings.
Bug preparedness: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in wooded cabin areas. "As always I need to do a PSA on ticks: it's Cape Cod, so be vigilant about protecting yourself from ticks. Lyme disease is no joke," warns a Nickerson State Park visitor.
Site selection importance: Some campgrounds offer vastly different experiences depending on site location. "If you have young kids, they'll love the new playground area. That's really about the only attraction within the campground, though there are some hiking and biking trails," notes a visitor to Shawme Crowell State Forest regarding site selection considerations.
Tips for camping with families
Pack linen essentials: Cabin rentals typically require your own bedding supplies. "Large sites and very friendly staff. This campground has a great dog park, pool, large pond," mentions a visitor to Peters Pond RV Resort, where cabin rentals require guests to bring their own linens.
Consider shoulder seasons: Family sites are more available and often less expensive in May-June and September. "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, and some hiking trails within the campground," shares a visitor to Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground.
Check activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer organized family events. "The camp store offers everything from postcards to air mattresses. For those of you, like myself, who don't bring a car they even have a air pump at the office if you need it," notes a Martha's Vineyard Family Campground visitor, highlighting amenities helpful for families.
Evaluate noise factors: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours, while others don't. "This campground is neat and rules are strict but provide for a comfortable stay for those of us who don't like to party late night," explains a Martha's Vineyard Family Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Consider cabin options for island stays: Many RVers opt for cabin rentals when visiting Martha's Vineyard to avoid ferry costs. "It's the best way to experience Martha's Vineyard!" remarks a visitor to Martha's Vineyard Family Campground, noting the simplicity of staying in a cabin versus bringing an RV.
Check pond amenities: Some cabin resorts include pond recreation facilities. "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, so it was very enjoyable," shares a visitor to Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins.
Examine site dimensions: Cabin placements vary in privacy levels across different campgrounds. "Of all the Thousand Trails campgrounds in the Northeast this one isn't too bad. It's a huge park with mostly seasonal/annual campers," notes a visitor to Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground, which offers cabins with varying levels of seclusion.
