Lovers of the USA's great outdoors know there's no better way to relax, unwind and reconnect with nature than camping in the scenic natural environment. Away from the hustle and bustle and the stresses of urban life, many vacationers set their sights on sleeping under the stars in front of a campfire with their loved ones for that perfect escape - and one of those retreats is Massachusetts's Cape Cod - with its stunning scenery, untouched landscapes, and incredible activities that range from relaxing to heart-thumping.
Affordable, beautiful, and with so much on offer that's all close together, Cape Cod is the answer to mother nature's calls, where pretty beaches, lush lakes, gorgeous forests, and postcard-perfect trails envelope campers for the ultimate holiday amidst raw nature. Fancy a tent? Glamping? A cabin? An RV? Cape Cod promises it all, so pack those bags and check out some of these top campsites and campgrounds that deliver the idyllic Cape Cod experience that US campers are swooning over.
10 Nickerson State Park
As with many of the country's top camping spots, Nickerson State Park is large with tons of room to spread out. It's an ideal location for tents, vans, and RVs, with no lack of things to do onsite. Guests have multiple biking and hiking trails within a stone's throw distance of the park, and they can even take a refreshing swim in the water here.
Overall, this is a great family-friendly choice and the perfect starting point for a Cape Cod camping vacation, and despite it being a little bit more expensive than many other sites, the various onsite activities and adventures to be had mean it's well worth the extra bucks.
9 AutoCamp
Very new and breaking all the rules - Cape Cod's AutoCamp brings luxury glamping inspired by the world-famous American road trip to the area. Guests can enjoy a little more luxury than they're used to when camping thanks to comfortable Airstream rental trailers featuring double and queen beds, flat-screen TVs, and full-service bathrooms that all make the vacation feel more like a home from home. The site also boasts direct access to Shining Sea Bikeway, with many more local tourist attractions easily accessible and not far at all.
8 Coastal Acres Campground
Guests can rent a large travel trailer on-site at this lovely coastal camp retreat mere minutes from the center of downtown Provincetown. RV camping is the way to go here, which not only means more luxurious comfort but also less time setting up tents (and more time to explore the local area).
Every campsite within the grounds features full hook-ups, and there's also a camp store selling everything visitors could possibly need throughout their stay - and they even deliver. Top activities to add to the bucket list include dune tours, visiting the nearby Herring Cove Beach, and walking the Breakwater Jetty (which is totally Instagrammable).
7 Campers Haven RV Resort
What makes Dennis Port's Campers Haven RV Resort stand out from the rest is that it's the only campground on the Cape boasting private beach access on Nantucket Sound. Guests are welcome to stay in an RV or rent one of the resort's very own modern, furnished two-bedroom cottages that are equipped with modern comforts and amenities. Outside of guest accommodation, there's a fantastic playground, a mini-golf course, an onsite market, and a sumptuous snack bar where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and other delightful delicacies.
6 Atlantic Oaks Campground
Located in Eastham, Atlantic Oaks is a superb modern campground that offers the best of both - tent sites and RV camping. Here, guests have a fully stocked camp store, a cozy guest lounge, private bathhouse showers, a fun games room, and more on offer to make their stay that much more enjoyable. There's even a fenced dog park for pets - who are warmly welcomed to join the vacation adventures.
The grounds also have a private entrance to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is definitely worth visitors' time if they want to enjoy some fascinating local culture and history. There's also the National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center very close by, which gives guests a unique opportunity to learn more about and explore the charming natural beauty and tantalizing trails of Cape Cod that have made it such a perfect camping destination.
5 Peter’s Pond RV Resort
Camp along the shores of the utterly scenic freshwater Peters Pond in Sandwich at this huge tent and RV campsite in the Upper Cape. There's truly is so much going on at Peter's Pond RV Resort, with the likes of volleyball, bocce ball, softball, and horseshoe keeping guests well entertained at all times of the day.
But those aren't the only attractions that bode well with fun-seeking campers - there's even a zero-entry pool complete with a water slide that the kids (and adults who're still young at heart) will absolutely love. At the end of the day after slipping and sliding in the pool, swimming in Peter's Pond, and playing sports and games, visitors can dine in the tempting onsite restaurant to replenish their stomachs, and pay a visit to the country store for something sweet and delicious.
4 Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground
This one is extra special because guests can stay off the mainland on the island's one and only campsite. Situated about a mile from the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal, Martha's Vineyard Family Campground consists of lush wooded campsites featuring fireplaces, picnic tables, and more all tucked away in a magical oak forest. Visitors have the option to rent rustic cabins or RV sites depending on whichever they find more comfortable.
Visitors also have onsite bike rentals, which means there's no excuse not to hop on and ride to explore the island's many bike paths, visit Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, and discover the area's pretty island towns and breathtaking beaches. And when campers aren't too busy biking, hiking, and taking all the untouched scenery in, they have plenty of amenities to keep them entertained and comfortable, including a playground, a store, a recreation hall, and basketball and volleyball games.
3 Sweetwater Forest Campground
Sweetwater boasts 250 campsites nestled amongst luscious native Cape Cod pine and oak wooded wonderlands, and guests can pitch their tent at any one - how's that for a diverse choice? This is a family-owned and operated full-service campground overflowing with tradition, offering fantastic amenities including a lodge, fire pits, six playgrounds, an air-conditioned dog daycare kennel, a mini-golf course, a lit basketball court, and more. The fun doesn't end at the bottom of the amenities menu either, for one of the best highlights here is the fun to be had on Griffith's Pond - where campers can't resist playing, swimming, and frolicking on a warm summer's day.
2 Bass River Trailer Park
This is a lovely family-run and irresistibly affordable South Yarmouth RV park, which is the closest campground to the Island Ferries in Hyannis. It's also only a mile from Smugglers Beach and boasts stunning trails around Yarmouth Port's Gray's Beach that provide unbeatable views of salt marshes. Cute and family-friendly, this is a lovely park to consider for those who love scenic walks and a small, warm, and welcoming family feel.
1 Sandy Pond Campground
Set in the beautiful and historic Plymouth - which is only a few minutes from Cape Cod canal - this premier campground is situated amongst the pines, and offers a full-service camping experience that exceeds the needs and expectations of the whole family. Sandy Pond Campground conveniently offers multiple accommodation options for rent, including trailers, cabins, and pop-ups.
There's everything guests ever need onsite in addition to a whole host of activities to fill the day with. Take a swim in the crystal clear water of Sandy Pond (which is great for fishing too), relax amidst the lush trees on a picnic blanket, and get ready for the menu of nightly activities after dark for extra after-hours fun - such as hoop shoots, glow in the dark capture the flag, and cozy movie nights.