River, stream, or creek camping in Cape Cod

Unlock the undeniable charm of Cape Cod Bay with comfortable campsites near the beach.

United States
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Massachusetts
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Cape Cod

Popular camping styles for Cape Cod

Public campgrounds in and near Cape Cod

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Campground

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Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Campground

10 sites In Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Top river, stream, or creek campgrounds in cape cod

Booked 2 times

Martha's Vineyard Family Campground

141 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Vineyard Haven, MA

The Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground began as a vacant wooded lot in 1968. The land was purchased by Charles and Jeanne Feeney from a retired doctor living in Vineyard Haven. Charles “Chuck” Feeney was an aerospace engineer at the time and was always taking his kids camping. His dream was to have a place for the family to camp and call their own. So together with his wife and five children he converted a bus into a camper and carved out a site amongst the wild blueberry bushes and scrub oak trees. Our family fell in love with the island. We discovered all the island has to offer and found it irresistible. We were the tourists of yesteryear and what attracted our family back then still exists today: beautiful beaches, fabulous fishing, quaint villages, and amazing sunsets. From the rolling hills of Aquinnah to the dunes of Katama, there is no place on earth like it. Martha’s Vineyard When Chuck found out his job was relocating him to California, he made the bold move to make his family campsite and land available to you. With a lot of hard work and great family pride, the construction of Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground began. During the first few summers of construction, we lived in the converted bus and tents. Slowly the sites and the roads were carved out. Summer vacations meant clearing land and pouring cement. The campground was officially opened in the spring of 1972 and has been a family-run operation ever since. Today the campground is managed by a third generation of The Feeney Family. The goal has always been to provide a quality camping experience for families who wish to visit this wonderful island. If there is anything that we can do to enhance that experience for you, please let us know. Amenities: Indoor Restrooms Free Hot Showers Camp Store Coin Operated Laundry Recreation Room Playground Volleyball / Badminton Area Basketball Hoop Recreational Field Community Fire Pit Wi-Fi Hotspot Dump Station Recycling Adult Bike Rentals

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

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Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Seconsett Island, Massachusetts

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

River, stream, or creek camping in Cape Cod guide

Overview

With its beautiful beaches and New England charm, camping near Cape Cod is an absolute delight. Go biking along Cape Cod Rail Trail, relax by the water at Cape Cod National Seashore, search for sea glass in Scusset Beach State Reservation, and charter a boat to go fishing in Nantucket Sound by Martha’s Vineyard. Accommodations in the region range from rustic tent campsites in Shawme-Crowell State Forest and Nickerson State Park to luxurious RV resorts with hookups and full glamping amenities. Blending natural beauty and rich history, camping near Cape Cod offers a captivating retreat for all.

Where to go

Nickerson State Park

About 20 miles east of Cape Cod is Nickerson State Park. It offers hundreds of campsites for tent camping and RVs, plus small and large yurts and amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and hot showers. This 1,900-acre park in Brewster is best known for its clear, sandy-bottomed freshwater kettle ponds, formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. The ponds are excellent spots for swimming and trout fishing. Shoot hoops at the basketball court, explore biking trails through pine and oak forests, and look for yellow warblers, hairy woodpeckers, and red-tailed hawks.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Managed by the National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore spans a 40-mile stretch of protected coastline, starting in Eastham and including areas like Wellfleet and Truro. Several beaches dot the coast along Cape Cod Bay, like Corn Hill Beach, Ryder Beach, and Fisher Beach. The protected area also includes forests, ponds, and salt marshes for more nature exploring. While overnight camping on the seashore itself is not permitted, there are nearby camping areas and private RV parks offering wifi and equipment rentals.

Shawme-Crowell State Forest

Near Cape Cod Canal to the west, Shawme-Crowell State Forest in Sandwich offers a quiet family-friendly campground among pitch pine and scrub oak. While RV campsites lack full hookups, campers do have access to an on-site dumping station. Campground amenities include showers, flush toilets, a playground, and picnic tables. Explore over 15 miles of horseback riding and hiking trails, listen for songbirds like the tufted titmouse and northern cardinal, and learn more about local wildlife at the nature center.

Scusset Beach State Reservation

About 25 minutes south of Plymouth, Scusset Beach State Reservation features a campground steps from its namesake beach. Strolling along the 1.5 miles of beachfront, Hipcampers can search for jewelry-grade sea glass to add to their collections. Go swimming in Cape Cod Bay under the eye of on-duty lifeguards from Juneteenth to Labor Day. Enjoy saltwater fishing from the pier, on the long jetty, or at Pip’s Rip, a shallow gravel bar where anglers can wade out in the water. The pet-friendly campground features RV campsites with water and electric hookups, plus tent camping spots for a more rustic feel.