Yurt camping at Myles Standish State Forest offers a distinctive outdoor experience with modern amenities 7 miles northwest of West Wareham, Massachusetts. The forest spans 12,400 acres with 15 miles of biking trails and six recreational ponds. Winter temperatures average 22-38°F while summer ranges 61-82°F, making May through September the most comfortable months for yurt stays.
What to do
Biking the forest paths: Myles Standish State Forest features extensive biking trails through pine forests. "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns," notes Mike M. about Charge Pond Campground.
Fishing at Cape Cod Canal: The canal offers productive fishing spots near several campgrounds. "If you like fishing this is your place," says Rick R. about Bourne Scenic Park, which sits directly on the canal with easy access to fishing spots.
Swimming at forest ponds: Multiple kettle ponds throughout the region provide swimming opportunities. "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds," explains kyle C. about ponds at Myles Standish State Forest.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, some campgrounds remain open during colder months. "Scusset Beach offers an extended camping season, although the extended season is restricted to self-contained units as the restrooms are turned off," reports Jean C. about Scusset Beach State Reservation.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Several campgrounds offer good site separation. "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. Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy," shares Amie C. about Charge Pond Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned in reviews. "Bathrooms are close by and clean," notes Stephen R. about Pinewood Lodge Campground, though he adds, "Don't care for the coin operating showers."
Dog-friendly options: Pet owners appreciate accommodations for four-legged campers. "Two dogs parks are a huge benefit for us as well. This is an exceptionally well maintained campground," explains Jim and Kim P. about Pinewood Lodge Campground.
Good base for regional exploration: The area serves as a strategic hub for Cape Cod visits. "Myles Standish State Park is located just this side of the Cape Cod canal so your not actually 'on the cape'. The park is a great staging area for day trips to Plymouth and all its history as well as being and easy bike ride to the upper cape," explains Joe B.
What you should know
No alcohol policies at state parks: Massachusetts state facilities prohibit alcohol consumption. "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed. Too bad," reports Randy R. about Myles Standish State Forest.
Variable site quality: Site conditions can differ significantly within the same campground. "Cozy little loop at MSSF, with a lot of variation in quality across the lots, but generally good spacing and great views. Avoid J28, especially if it's going to get wet," advises Mike T. about Barretts Pond Campground.
Limited tent sites at some locations: RV-focused campgrounds may have few tent options. "This state forest campground is located just over the Sagamore bridge, across the Cape Cod canal. It's a basic, no-frills campground, with more than half the sites designated as tent only; a few of the sites are designated for tent/pop-up," explains Jean C. about Shawme Crowell State Forest.
Cell phone coverage issues: Connectivity can be unreliable in forested areas. "Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots," warns Desiree M. about Myles Standish State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several locations feature play areas for children. "They had a big store and plenty of supplies and souvenirs, from sweatshirts to stickers. As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground," describes Samantha S. about Boston/Cape Cod KOA.
Consider weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become busy and loud during peak times. "The first night we were here it sounded like a massive stadium tailgate party. There was music, yelling, and voices coming from everywhere. It does die down as it gets closer to quiet hours but that's at 11 pm and fires need to be out at midnight," warns Mary V. about Cape Cod Camp Resort.
Check pond swimming options: Many campgrounds feature ponds with beaches. "They also have a beautiful, white, rock-free sand. There's a small snack bar with basic food options, bathroom and locker room facilities, picnic tables and plenty of parking. Lifeguards begin their work around 10am and are pretty serious about announcing all the rules," notes Rachel P. about Scusset Beach.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling RVs. "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. In fact, some sites were ridiculously unlevel and took a scary amount of blocks," warns Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park.
Upgrade site selection: Base sites may not meet expectations, especially at popular destinations. "I have belong to KOA's for quite a few years and I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. With that being said I did not take my own advice and I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to," advises Janet P.
Consider site privacy: Site spacing varies widely between and within campgrounds. "We were lucky enough to get a site by the pond. There was great views from our site of the pond. On the site there was also a path down to a little dock on the pond that you could sit and relax on," shares Laurie about Pinewood Lodge Campground.
