Cape Cod

[IndianChris]

Considering camping on the coast somewhere in New England this summer. Had Cape Cod in mind. Any nice camping you know of to be found in that area? Will have family with so basic facilities (toilets/showers) would be fine...just not the KOA et al type.

Saw this place. Looks pretty cool.

You suggestions/shared experiences are appreciated!

 

[mtruman]

Dunes Edge is really nice. Close to the bike path and just a couple of minutes from Provincetown. Nice quite family run campground. Definitely not KOA. Lots of other campgrounds on the Cape too but this is the one we've stayed at and I could personally recommend.

 

[DrJJFate]

Nickerson State Park in Brewster has a large campground. Brewster is a great little town and you'll be close to the National Seashore (and the Land Ho in Orleans). It fills quickly, so I would check on availability sooner rather than later.

Nickerson State Park

 

[Pm4139]

I agree Dunes Edge is a great place!

 

[Fisher Cat]

We stayed at Paines Campground in Wellfleet two years ago. It has been up for sale for a couple of years but is still running and owned by the same family. We liked the place, has quiet hours, and seperate "families" camping area. Good location for the hiking we did.

http://www.campingcapecod.com/


Would strongly suggest doing the Great Island Loop. We enjoyed it very much.

 

[Stan]

I think you might like Washburn Island in Waquoit Bay, accessible only by boat.

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/wbnr.htm
http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/camping.shtml

There are 11 tentsites, including one or two group sites. All are on the water except for one of the group sites. All have a sandy beach and good swimming. There is at least one handicap accessible outhouse (i.e. spacious, ventilated and clean). There is a mile of quiet beach overlooking Nantucket Sound and Marthas Vineyard. There are a couple small ponds to explore, trails with more Lady Slippers than I've ever seen in one place, a portage of less than 100 yards if you wish to circumnavigate the island without going "outside" (watch out for the poison ivy).

The only drawback from my perspective is that sound travels well over water and you do get the sounds of civilization at night. I'm kind of partial to the quiet of the north country.

If you go PM me and I can share some details but the link provides a lot of the information you need. Reserve soon, though, as these sites fill up fast. And, let us know when you're going ...

 

[Ridgewalker]

My vote for Nickerson if you want to camp and have some civilized amenities.

 

[hikerbrian]

Have been going to North of Highland every summer for about 30 yrs now - first with my parents, now with my wife and kids. Needless to say, I like the place a lot. BUT, you should understand what it's all about. It is not a wilderness experience. It is nothing like the primitive state campgrounds in NH or anywhere else. You can't have a campfire. You will see several other campsites from the entrance to your tent. What keeps me coming back? 1. Extremely well kept. Owners keep everything ridiculously clean. 2. Owners are good, reasonable people. 3. People generally respect boundaries. Yeah, there are a lot of people in a small space, but you won't find people blaring music, driving fast, or peeing on the edge of your campsite. 4. Owners don't tolerate ANY of the things described in 3. 5. EXCELLENT location. National Seashore within walking distance. 6. Quiet hours start at 10:30 and are strictly enforced. 7. Nice clubhouse with ping pong tables and Foosball. Not something I usually look for in a camping experience, but I can tell you that when my brother and I were little we loved having something to do when it rained for several days in a row.

I recommend it strongly for what it is. Just understand what it is. For what it's worth, my wife and I stayed at a KOA several summers ago when we drove across the country. First and last time I did that.

Reservations are very difficult to get. And in peak season you have to reserve a whole week. But I have some secrets that I'll give out if you pm me.

 

[Fisher Cat]

I almost forgot about that too, Paine's is the only one I know of that allows campfires. Its not a wilderness experience like NH,VT,or ME, but it is enjoyable and relatively inexpensive if you are in the area to hike. Hope this helps!

 

[IndianChris]

All the information is really appreciated! Been swamped the last few days but will review your posts in greater detail asap and thank you all again (including the generous offers to pm).

 

[brianW]

Do not have showers and have to bring your own water but you might want to check out the Boston harbor Islands. Camped on Lovell's about 10 years ago and enjoyed it.

 

[IndianChris]

Thanks brianW but looking to get closer to Cape Cod.

Nickerson sounds great too DrJJFate and Ridgewalker but again...looking to get out on "the hook." Is that what it's called?

As for Washburn Island Stan...sounds great but don't have a boat.

Dunes Edge, Paines and North of Highland all sound good guys, thanks. Would any one be better for riding bikes around the campground and/or surrounding area? Mtruman...sounds like Dunes Edge is near the bike trail, hey? Can you ride from the camp to the trail?

 

[mtruman]

Dunes Edge is right next to the bike path. This is a particularly nice section that is all well paved and winds through the dunes. You can use it to ride to Race Point beach and lighthouse which is a great beach. The other nice bike option is Provincetown. It's only a 10 minute ride downtown from the campground and with a bike you don't have to fight for parking (which is a pain in PTown in the summer). Riding through the crowds on Commercial St can be a bit of a challenge but fun. You can also ride just out of town to the Province Lands National Seashore beach which is also really nice. Plenty of good flat road riding around the whole area too.

 

[Fisher Cat]

If you want to do a beach bonfire (which I also highly advise!) get in line early at the Station. Only so many permits allowed for group sizes at specific beaches. Got to the Station this year at 630am and was 6th in line. But, I bagged the permit and we had a wicked awesome bonfire at Marconi Beach. The high dunes block out sound and light and you feel like you are the only ones around. We outlasted the other permit group down the beach when they left at 930pm, so we had it all to ourselves until you have to leave at 11pm. It was a blast! (doin' it again this year!)

 

[DrJJFate]

Nickerson sounds great too DrJJFate and Ridgewalker but again...looking to get out on "the hook." Is that what it's called?

Most commonly called the Lower Cape or the Outer Cape

 

[Stan]

As for Washburn Island Stan...sounds great but don't have a boat.

Thought you paddled. Lot's of people paddle to the island. There's an outfitter in Poponesset who will deliver kayaks suitable for going out there if you wanted to rent them for your family.

If you stay out on the Middle Cape, there is nice paddling in Pleasant Bay and Little Pleasant Bay. Goose Hummock in Orleans rents for off-site paddling.

 

[IndianChris]

Thought you paddled.

You got me there.
The idea sounds great but as for paddling with family to Washburn...the logistics become more than I want to deal with on this trip.

Thank you though for the suggestions on rentals. Will remember that Stan...especially the one in Orleans. The Pleasant Bays look cool on the map with the barrier islands and all.

I was actually thinking about how we (I - ) could maybe paddle around on one of the days we're there but we'll probably ride bikes around and hit the beach most of the time. Besides, I don't think the van will have room for paddling gear by the time we're packed up.

BTW...nice goals for 2011. Jealous...especially about the X-country skiing part.

 

[IndianChris]

BTW...one more question.

Probably going to spend three nights in Cape Cod. One night I'm thinking I want to get some seafood in town instead of cooking in camp.

Any suggestions on a nice seafood place?

Really roughing it this time...

BTW...if spending three nights, would you go during the week or weekend? I'm thinking during the week...less people around?

 

[mtruman]

Depends on where you end up staying. There are SO many good seafood places on the Cape. If you wind up at Dunes Edge my suggestion would be to go into PTown and walk the length of Commercial St and check out the menus at all the restaurants (there are dozens). We've been going out there for over 30 years and have not had any bad meals anywhere that I can remember.

 

[IndianChris]

Good to know. I figured as much.

Based on its proximity to P-town and Race Point (and mainly your recommendation), I'm thinking we're gonna stay at Dunes Edge. I'd like to try to get around on bikes more rather than having to drive around once we get there so Dunes Edge sounds pretty good. It was a toss-up between that and North of Highland.