Camping near Cape Cod, MA

[curryp]

We are considering going camping near Cape Cod. Can anyone recommend a good campground? We live in the Adirondacks so are used to nice wooded camping sites and prefer that. So, if you know of a campground near Cape Cod that offers wooded sites with some privacy, we would love to hear about it. Thanks

[curryp]

Did some searching on the internet and settled with Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA.

[MotherNature]

We just came back from Nickerson yesterday!

We initially chose that park because we wanted a 'base camp' from which we could explore Cape Cod National Seashore.  However, Nickerson has plenty to offer within itself (wish we'd had another day to concentrate on just Nickerson alone).

The bike trails (at least from what I've seen) are paved and well-maintained (and hilly).  The boat rental at Big Cliff pond was a little pricey ($20 for 1/2 hour in a single kayak) but well worth it; they had paddleboats and canoes as well.  Big Cliff pond is unguarded but a nice place to swim; the water is very calm and crystal clear.  There is a small sand beach and it seemed very popular with families having small children.  If you want more privacy, there are a few sand beaches around the perimeter that you could walk through the woods to.  The shower house we used was clean, well-maintained, spacious, had private/enclosed shower stalls, and ample hot water.  The bathroom in our loop (6X) appeared clean despite a urine odor - possibly due to the fact that it seems unchanged since the 40's or 50's, maybe it had soaked into the concrete or something?  The camp store had excellent firewood but it was kind of expensive, $5.75 a bundle.  There seemed to be at least one interpretive program offered daily and there are hayrides on Saturday nights (I think it was $3/person, we didn't go but there was a sign at the camp store).  Alcohol is supposedly prohibited but that doesen't seem to be enforced (I guess they do if people get out of control or flaunt it?).

The campground is wooded and hilly; some sites are very private and some are not.  Many sites are unsuitable for a camper (too small or not level); I don't know if the reservation people tell you this or what.  We drove around and made a list of which sites we'd prefer if we visit again (which we hope to) based on privacy and being level - I'd be glad to send you the site #'s if you want!

If you have any questions or want the list, just let me know!

[curryp]

Good review Mother Nature. We were in loop 7 with a pop-up which barely fit on the site. After seeing what was available on Reserve America I called the campground directly to inquire about our pop-up fitting. Since there were only two sites left and the representative said our pop-up "should fit" we reserved the site.

The bike trails in the campground are somewhat hilly but the Cape Cod Rail Trail that is accessible at the entrance of the campground is very flat. If you like to bike you will love the Rail Trail. It is great for families with businesses along the way to stop for ice cream or food and also good for fitness riders who just want to get in a good workout.

Cliff Pond had a swim warning when were there. I am not what it was but no swimming was recommended. We swam in another pond that was a very short walk from our site. It was almost 90 when we set up camp and walking down for a swim after setting up was a real treat.

We were only at the campground for three nights so didn't really look for entertainment at the campground. We went on a great whale watch out of Provincetown (Dolphin Fleet) one day and went to Hyannis and Hyannis Port the next day.

I would recommend Nickerson State Park for anyone looking to take in the Cape.