Cape Cod RV parks near West Yarmouth operate primarily from April through October. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights requiring light jackets. Most camping facilities close by early November as temperatures drop and seasonal businesses wind down for winter.
What to do
Fishing at ponds: Peters Pond RV Resort in Sandwich offers excellent fishing opportunities. As camper Douglas L. notes, the resort provides "Great fishing and nice clean sites."
Biking on local trails: Nickerson State Park Campground connects directly to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail. One visitor explains, "The bike path and network of trails through the park make for great bike riding and early morning running."
Swimming in freshwater ponds: When beaches get crowded, head to the kettle ponds at Nickerson State Park. A regular camper mentions, "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."
Nature walks on marked trails: Shady Knoll Campground features connected walking paths. A reviewer notes, "There's a great walking trail connected to the campground. They have good access to the bay beaches and the Cape Cod Rail Trail."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Sweetwater Forest in Brewster offers secluded camping spots. One camper shared, "Sweetwater Forest has pleasant, secluded sites. This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited."
Swimming options beyond beaches: Peters Pond RV Resort provides both pool and pond swimming. A visitor noted, "The pool and pond were both great for swimming and they did have some lounge chairs to use at pond."
Well-maintained facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on visitor satisfaction. At Campers Haven RV Resort, a guest mentioned, "Mostly seasonal but transient sites recently renovated. Private beach and close to many other areas. Office staff nice and helpful."
Shoulder season camping: Mid-September through October offers fewer crowds while maintaining decent weather. A camper at Old Chatham Road RV Resort noted, "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."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Campgrounds with more tree coverage provide better site separation. At Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod, a camper observed, "Heavily treed and shaded campground, extremely large to walk from front to back."
Weather considerations: Cape Cod experiences frequent rain even in summer months. One camper at Gateway to Cape Cod noted, "When I got here in the rain, the staff at check in was very nice. 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."
Ticks are prevalent: Protect yourself when camping near wooded areas. A visitor to Nickerson State Park advised, "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."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies by provider and location. A camper at Sweetwater Forest shared, "Cell reception was not good, neither with AT&T nor Verizon. They have Wifi at the park which I haven't tried."
Tips for camping with families
Check playground facilities: Cape Cod's Maple Park Campground offers numerous activities for children. A visitor explained, "This is the perfect family campground with lots of activities for the whole family during the on season. Your whole family will be entertained."
Consider age-appropriate sites: Peters Pond has separate areas better suited for families with children. A reviewer noted, "Great family oriented. Convenient location, beautiful pond on beautiful cape cod, Ma. My family has gone there for years with neighbors and always enjoyed our stay."
Look for kid-friendly water options: Ponds with gradual entry points work better for younger children. At Sweetwater Forest, one camper mentioned, "Plus multiple playgrounds and a pond that's good for boating but not swimming."
Book early for family sites: Family-friendly campgrounds fill quickly for summer weekends. For Nickerson State Park, a visitor advised, "This place fills up quick so reservations well ahead of time are needed. Can't wait to come back!"
Tips from RVers
Road quality concerns: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. At Gateway to Cape Cod, a visitor cautioned, "Roads are in bad shape, especially the entrance. Overall though, a good campground."
Site leveling requirements: Uneven terrain is common at Cape Cod campgrounds. A camper at Cape Cod's Maple Park noted, "Un level grounds so specify what you need."
Tree sap considerations: Parking under trees can mean cleanup work after your stay. A Gateway to Cape Cod visitor warned, "Biggest negative was the trees can drop a lot of sap so be ready to wash your rig and vehicles as soon as you leave if it was a heavy sap time."
RV size limitations: Many Cape Cod campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. At Shady Knoll, a visitor stated, "They offer several kinds of sites with or without electricity, all have water. The sites also range in size depending on need."
