47 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cape Cod's West Yarmouth area provides access to numerous campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, primarily concentrated in the nearby town of Brewster. Established campgrounds like Nickerson State Park, Shady Knoll, and Sweetwater Forest offer a range of accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most camping areas feature wooded settings, with many providing electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. The region's developed campgrounds generally cater to both traditional tent campers and those seeking more amenities, with several locations offering glamping options for visitors preferring enhanced comfort.
Camping season in the Cape Cod region typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing during the winter months. Nickerson State Park operates from April 18 to October 25, while Sweetwater Forest maintains a slightly longer season from April 1 to October 31. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity quickly. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10:30 pm to 7:30 am to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. According to one visitor at North of Highland Camping Area, "The owners are VERY strict on their quiet hours policy, and they are very restrictive on some noises during the day as well – this is exactly the kind of camping experience I'm looking for."
Campers consistently highlight the region's proximity to beaches, bike trails, and water activities as major advantages. The Cape Cod Rail Trail, accessible from several campgrounds, provides excellent biking opportunities connecting to both bay and ocean beaches. Many camping areas are situated near ponds or lakes, offering alternative swimming options to ocean beaches. One reviewer noted that Nickerson State Park "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." Visitors should be aware that Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol, and out-of-state residents typically pay higher camping fees than state residents. Most campgrounds in the region maintain clean facilities, though bathroom cleanliness can vary depending on usage and staffing levels, particularly during peak season.
"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."
from $22 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $50 - $88 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location, beautiful pond on beautiful cape cod, Ma. My family has gone there for years with neighbors and always enjoyed our stay."
"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!"
"Nice campground, but need to get sites away from the backside of the pool, street noise is too loud"
"That being said, we use this mostly as a location to do other things- Old Silver Beach is 10 minutes down the road as is the Shining Sea Bike path."
"Bike path along the canal, easy access. Lots of playgrounds for different ages
Bounce pad (in-ground)
Pool
Stair access to canal bike path."
"Bourne Scenic Park is conveniently located near many of Cape Cod’s attractions including beaches, golf courses, historic landmarks, restaurants and shopping. "
"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."
from $22 - $34 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis is a great asset to the Cape. We live here and it's great to have such a wonderful park right here. No crossing the bridge is a very high point. This park has it all:
Biking, Hiking, small store, swimming, fishing, kayaking or canoeing and close to town if you have other needs or just want to go eat elsewhere. It also has nice bathrooms and showers.
ScoutLong review from a long-term camper, but if you’re considering staying here, it’s worth the read so you know what you’re paying for. My husband and I have stayed here for the past three years, and this year has been, without question, the worst experience we’ve had. We prepaid for a 6-month stay, expecting a quiet, well-managed campground. Instead, we’ve dealt with inconsistency, poor communication, and management that seems focused on the wrong priorities. Before the campground was even fully open, we came to prepare our camper because there were already other campers on the property. While we were there, a woman repeatedly followed us around and watched us before finally approaching us. Rather than treating us like returning guests who have stayed here for years, we were made to feel like we didn’t belong and were questioned as if we were trespassing or trying to live here for free. Ironically, people who don’t even pay to stay here regularly park on the property to use the lake without anyone questioning them. Apparently, paying customers receive more scrutiny than people who aren’t customers at all. Because of that interaction, we were told we couldn’t return for weeks. When we were finally allowed back, our electricity hadn’t even been turned on, and we had to wait while no one seemed particularly concerned about getting it working. Then, completely out of the blue, we were told we had a past-due balance that had supposedly existed all along. At no point were we ever notified. No phone call. No email. No letter. No conversation. Yet somehow we were expected to fix a problem we didn’t even know existed. Meanwhile, the issues that actually affect paying guests continue to be ignored. On weekends and almost every holiday, large groups takes over the campground with 20+ tents, blasting music well into the night and early morning with absolutely no respect for the people who actually pay to stay here. They spread out wherever they want, take over common areas, and even park in front of occupied campsites to the point that we’ve had trouble getting into our own site. Even worse, people were plugging into our electrical service without permission, causing our camper to repeatedly short circuit. We eventually had to install a lock on our own electrical box because management did nothing to stop it after it was brought to their attention. That’s what makes this so frustrating. Management seems incredibly quick to police long-term residents over minor issues, yet has no problem looking the other way while other people take over the campground, block campsites, disturb everyone around them, use utilities they aren’t paying for, damage property, and ignore every basic campground rule. The former management understood that people who spend thousands of dollars to stay here deserve a safe, enjoyable, and well-managed campground. Rules were enforced. Problems were addressed. Paying guests mattered. Now it feels like the people causing the problems face no consequences, while the people paying to be here are the ones expected to tolerate them. I also wouldn’t recommend this campground for families. The“playground” looks like it hasn’t been properly maintained in a very long time and honestly looks like it could earn a child a tetanus shot instead of a fun afternoon. The basketball hoop has been broken, and the laundry area is tucked behind some of the dirtiest bathrooms on the property, surrounded by overgrown grass. None of it reflects the kind of campground this used to be. It’s disappointing because this campground had so much potential and used to be a place we genuinely enjoyed returning to every year. Unfortunately, poor management and a complete lack of consistency have changed that. If you are looking for a campground, there are way better options in the surrounding area with better amenities and better people.
GuideThis campground was wonderful. While the campsites aren’t extremely secluded, there’s still plenty of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, and it’s a fantastic place for both fishing and kayaking. I highly recommend visiting Cape Cod and staying here if you’re looking for a relaxing camping experience.
Scoutno laundry or swimming other than that very beautiful
TravelerWe came from their Horton’s location which had zero privacy so we were happy when we were able to switch our reservation last minute with no problems. The North Truro campsites were spaced out (we were tent camping), trees for privacy, and a walkable path to the nearest beaches.
TravelerIf you want privacy and real camping vibes, this is not the place for that. “Campsites” are very close together with no trees for privacy. Go to their North Truro location instead! We ended up changing our reservation over once we saw the campsite.
TravelerWe had a great stay at Indianhead Resort! The management was wonderful and very helpful. The sites were very spacious and private, which made it feel relaxing and comfortable for our family. The playgrounds are a little older, but our two-year-old absolutely loved the swings and had a great time. Overall, it was a great family-friendly campground experience!
LegendWe visited in early June and really appreciated the shade at our site as the temps rose into the mid-80’s. There are lots of tall pine trees but are trimmed back and not a problem getting or big-rig through the park or in our site. We loved site 47 which was long and level with nice grass around it. The next site (46) was pretty close, but luckily nobody was in it while we visited. Our patio area was fairly large with no other sites next to it, just a road. We chose a 50A/water pull thru site and the electric was good at 124 volts on each leg. Honey wagon service is quite expensive at $35/pump out, or you can use the dump station for free. We used the campground cable tv and got about 60 stations, included the major stations (local news was out of Boston). This was a good thing since the trees blocked our Dish receiver from getting any channels. The wifi was 2.4G and just o.k. You could surf the internet but definitely not strong enough to stream. I went to the lodge and got great wifi speed to download movies quickly.
The campground is gated and charges$15/day for visitors. There are lots of amenities. There is a good access to a small lake (with a canoe/kayak launch and rentals), fishing pier (for catch and release, no license required), ice cream stand, food truck, playground, a large dog park (with two runs), laundry, playground, horseshoes, etc. The campground is conveniently to the downtown Plymouth attractions (10 minutes) and a grocery store (2 miles).
The biggest downside was the dust since most of the roads are gravel. It was very dry during our visit and the dust was crazy. Another negative was the $5/day pet fee. There are restrictions as to where you can walk your pets in the campground and they are not allowed on the beach. There is a good size dog park with two runs. If you dog is afraid of gunshots, do not come here as there is a gun range nearby that is pretty loud.
LegendThis park is mainly seasonal campers with a handful of transient sites. We were in a 50A, full hookup, pull thru that was plenty long enough for our 45’ motorhome and tow car. Other transient sites include shorter 30A sites and tent sites. (P9 is a really nice back-in site on the water and steps away from the beach, snack shack and bar.)
Our site was nicely shaded, level, and paved (as are all the roads). The utilities worked well and were located in the middle of the site. The only negative was that the sewer was uphill and didn’t drain properly. Cable tv is included and we got about 60 channels. There was a wifi router right outside our window so the internet was good for surfing but not enough to stream. The campground was gated and you have a key card to get in.
This park has a lot of amenities– two beaches, pool, snack bar, bouncy pillow, basketball and baseball fields, snack bars, and scheduled activities. The campground is located on Peters Pond but it is pretty small and not even large enough for me to want to blow up my paddleboard. That is great if you use them because you have to pay a$15/day resort fee. We used none of them so found the nightly price to be very high. Plus, the nightly rate for weekends is higher. We had a 25% discount code but our nightly weekend rate was still over$90/night. In my opinion the park could use some more attention as far as picking up trash, keeping grass around sites mowed, and cleaning the laundry facilities (which were pretty gross). We stayed in early June so the park was pretty quiet as kids were not out of school. But, I can imagine in the summer it gets really busy with as big as the park is. We were there over a weekend and it did get busier, and seemed everyone broke out their golf carts to ride around listening to music and drinking or entertaining their screaming kids.
For the most part, it is big-rig friendly but, we did hit some trees and had to go out a different way to avoid low hanging branches. We probably would not stay again due to the price and our campsite was just o.k.
Cape Cod camping sites near West Yarmouth, Massachusetts offer seasonal opportunities from spring through fall, with most facilities closing between November and April. The area sits at a low elevation of about 20-30 feet above sea level with sandy soil that drains quickly after rain. Most campgrounds in the region maintain a tree canopy that provides natural shade during summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season.
Fishing opportunities: Sandy Neck Beach Park Primitive Campsites features both ocean and pond fishing. "Great place. The water is on the cold side but it's worth it. Beach camping is a very special thing," notes Matt R. The park's diverse ecosystem offers multiple fishing environments within walking distance of campsites.
Biking adventures: The 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail connects multiple campgrounds to beaches and towns. "This is a great park for mountain biking, there are trails everywhere. Check NEMBA website for a trail map," shares Duane B. about Nickerson State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Fresh water swimming alternatives exist beyond 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," writes Phil Y. The kettle ponds offer calmer waters compared to sometimes rough ocean conditions.
Nature trails: Several campgrounds connect to walking paths with varying difficulty levels. "There is a short nature trailhead on Eddy Property at back of campground near campsites 98-100. It makes a loop including through shady areas and some beautiful public vegetable and flower gardens," explains Kathy L. about exploring near Shady Knoll Campground.
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. "Sweetwater Forest has pleasant, secluded sites. This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited. Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent," reports Grace M. about Sweetwater Forest.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rank highly in reviews. "The comfort stations were clean and the showers have hot water and there's an outdoor sink & counter to wash dishes," notes Kelly R., who appreciated these practical amenities during her stay.
Convenience to attractions: Campers value proximity to both natural areas and towns. "Bourne Scenic Park is conveniently located near many of Cape Cod's attractions including beaches, golf courses, historic landmarks, restaurants and shopping," explains Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park. The location allows campers to balance outdoor activities with town visits.
Site amenities: Visitors appreciate the practical features at many campsites. "They offer several kinds of sites with or without electricity, all have water. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table," notes Bowen B. from Shady Knoll Campground. These basics make extended stays more comfortable.
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially for tent sites. "There are only 5 designated tent sites during the peak season, so if you want to tent camp here, you'd best make a reservation well in advance," warns Jean C. about Scusset Beach State Reservation.
Traffic challenges: Summer congestion affects travel times. "Traffic can be messy in the summer, especially on weekend days!" explains Angela T. The bridges to Cape Cod become significant bottlenecks during peak season.
Varied alcohol policies: Rules differ between state and private campgrounds. Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol, while many private campgrounds allow it with restrictions on glass containers or excessive noise.
Wind exposure: Coastal campgrounds can experience strong winds. "Because the camp has so few trees, the winds can be gnarly," notes Angela T. about Scusset Beach. Campers should secure tents and awnings properly and consider wind direction when setting up camp.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins has a small dog park, pool, large pond. It is near so many beaches and things to do and downtown Falmouth is really cute," explains Mary V., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Noise considerations: Sound levels vary significantly between campgrounds. "This was the noisiest campground I have ever been to. If you are looking for any sort of peace and quiet this is NOT the place for you," warns Mary V. about Cape Cod Camp Resort. Families seeking quiet should research specific loops or areas known for less activity.
Beach proximity: Some campgrounds offer direct water access. "We reserved a group site right by the nature trail. Perfect for a large family and 7 min bike ride to two beaches," shares Jennie from Shady Knoll Campground. This convenience eliminates parking hassles at public beaches.
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds organize children's programs. "The park has live music on Saturday nights and various other activities like sack races and scavenger hunts," notes Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park. These structured activities give parents breaks from constant entertainment duties.
Site selection strategy: RV campers should research specific site characteristics. "Sites and patios were grass, sand, or gravel. There are six pull-thrus and the rest are back-ins. The one thing we did notice was that the site layout in some areas is not traditional meaning they are not all in the same direction and configuration," explains Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park.
Hookup variations: Water and electric configurations differ between parks. "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.," notes Jean C. from Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "No sites have sewer; however, grey water dump stations are randomly placed throughout the campground and can be accessed with a garden hose," explains Nancy W. This requires planning for black water management during longer stays.
Seasonal site options: Long-term RV camping possibilities exist. "Of those 465 sites, 50% of them can be reserved for the entire season (April 1st – October 30th) which is nice if you want to stay long-term," notes Nancy W. about Bourne Scenic Park. These arrangements work well for extended Cape Cod vacations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in West Yarmouth?
While West Yarmouth itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are within easy driving distance. Shawme Crowell State Forest Campground offers a quiet, tranquil experience with hot showers and serves as a good base for exploring Cape Cod. For those seeking beach proximity, Wellfleet Hollow State Campground (formerly Paine's Campground) provides rustic camping in the artsy town of Wellfleet with walking distance to Duck Pond and access to some of Cape Cod's best beaches. For a truly unique camping experience, consider Marthas Vineyard Family Campground, which offers camping on one of Massachusetts' most beautiful islands, though it requires ferry transportation.
What amenities are available at West Yarmouth campgrounds?
Campgrounds near West Yarmouth offer a variety of amenities for campers. Nickerson State Park Campground provides access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path, bayside beaches within walking distance, and scenic hiking trails. Many Cape Cod campgrounds feature basic amenities like water spigots, dump stations, and restrooms with hot showers. For RV campers, Scusset Beach State Reservation offers dedicated RV sites with easy beach access. Playgrounds are available at select campgrounds, particularly helpful for families with children. While amenities vary by location, most provide essential facilities like toilets and water, with some offering more developed options including camp stores and recreational facilities.
How much does camping in West Yarmouth cost?
Camping costs in the West Yarmouth area vary by campground type and residency status. State-operated campgrounds like Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest offer more affordable options with basic amenities. Horseneck Beach State Reservation provides economical beachside camping with generator use permitted during designated hours. Massachusetts state parks typically have tiered pricing, with state residents paying lower fees than out-of-state visitors. For example, Wellfleet Hollow charges significantly higher rates for non-Massachusetts residents. Private campgrounds and RV resorts generally cost more but offer additional amenities. Expect to pay anywhere from $25-35 per night for basic state park camping to $50-100+ for private RV resorts with full hookups, depending on season and location.
Keep Exploring
