RONALD C. NICKERSON STATE PARK
3488 Main Street, Route 6A
Brewster, MA 02631
For Reservations:  (877) 422-6762
www.reserveamerican.com

Activities:

• Biking
  Cape Cod Rail Trail - 25 paved miles
  Path - 8 miles of bike path in the park
• Swimming (no lifeguards)
• Fishing
  Ponds stocked with trout and salmon
• Boating
  Cliff Pond - Motors and water-skiing allowed
  Flax Pond - Electric motors and non-motorized only
• Hiking - Bird watching - Picnicking
• Interpretive programs - Equestrian Trails

Facilities

• Amphitheater
• Bike rentals
• Boat rentals
• Nature Center
• Park store

Travel the road to the upper campgrounds in Nickerson State Park and you may think for a moment that you have been magically transported to the Berkshire Hills or the piney woods of the Carolinas.  Nowhere in sight are the sand dunes and salt marshes usually associated with Cape Cod.  Instead, you are surrounded by woods that slope down to the banks of eight freshwater ponds.  Yet if you walk or bicycle through the woods, you will find no rivers or streams feeding the ponds.  These are "kettle ponds," among more than 300 formed as glaciers retreated from the Cape over 10,000 years ago.  Completely dependent on groundwater and precipitation, the water level in the ponds fluctuates from season to season and year to year.

Reservations are imperative during July and August and holiday weekends.  I've been able to camp a couple of nights during midweek during June and September without reservations, so far.  Area four is open during the winter also with water and electricity available.  

Nickerson is most suited to tents and smaller camping rigs.  Most of the sites are heavily wooded and typical of those pictured here.	Park Store
	Adjacent photo was taken during my fall (end of October) trip to the Cape.  Something new for those who like winter camping - Nickerson will be open Thursday through Monday at 11 a.m. (area 4 only).  Winter huts have been erected on some sites - bunk beds, table.  I don't have the particulars,  but I'm sure if you check out via phone or website, this might be a good possibility for a weekend during the "off season."

MAURICE'S CAMPGROUND
Wellfleet, MA 02667
Tel:  (508) 349-2029

On premises:  Market and deli stocked with subs, lobsters, ice, beer, wine, etc.  Propane Filling Station.  Housekeeping cottages, cabins.  Unfortunately, pets not currently allowed.

Direct access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail and within 200 yards of the Wellfleet Flea Market - open April 15 through the fall every Saturday and Sunday.  During July and August the flea market is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well. 

COASTAL ACRES CAMPING RESORT
PO Box 593
Provincetown, MA 02657
Tel:  (508) 487-1700

Open April 1 to November 1, 114 sites:  Base $23.00 to $32.00/2 (year 2000).   Route 6 to end, left at Herring Cove (Route 6A), continue to Bradford Street Ext.   Proximity to beaches, bike trail and Historical Landmarks.  Reservations strongly advised for holiday weekends and in July and August.

I have been camping here at least twice a year since the mid 60s.  It's within 20-minute walking distance to the center of Provincetown (there's a walking/biking path at the west end of the campground which leads you to Bradford and Commercial Streets) so you don't have to take your vehicle into P'town.   The campground is one of the best maintained I've seen. 

	These gals were very proud of their pet ferrets - males, brothers, just under a year old.  They said they made excellent pets, didn't mind being on a leash, were easy to litter box train, and really liked camping.
The above photos were taken at the Herring Cove beach area (part of the Cape Cod National Seashore).  Overnight camping is not allowed, however, the gates open at 6:00 a.m. and you can spend the day here which a lot of people do with their campers (there is a fee once the attendants arrive around 8:00 a.m.).   Many people come here to fish, or just relax.  I will spend a few morning hours here on the day I leave P'town.

SHAWME CROWELL STATE FOREST
42 Main Street
P.O. Box 621
Sandwich, MA 02563
(508) 888-0351
For Reservations Call (877) 422-6762
www.Reserveamerica.com

Camping Season:  April through October (Area 1 is open on a limited basis through the winter)
285 sites (no hookups)
Rates (2000):  $6.00 per night

BOURNE SCENIC PARK
370 Scenic Highway
Bourne, MA 02432
Tel:  (508) 759-7873
Email:  scenicpark@capecod.net
www.bournerecauth.com/bsp

• Salt water fishing from the banks of the Cape Cod Canal, renowned for its striped bass and bluefish (no license required)

• Park Store

• Salt Water Swimming Pool

• Bottled gas, firewood and ice

• Each camping area provides free hot showers

• Recreation Hall offers video games, events for children and adults and use of pavilion

• Over 400 RV and tent sites

While this campground is not on the Cape, it is just across the canal and directly adjacent to the Bourne Bridge.  The campground is privately owned; the land leased from the U.S. Corps of Engineers who maintain the Cape Cod Canal area.  I have camped here the last couple of years - campsites with the P, PX or G designation are close enough to the canal that you can actually see and hear the larger vessels going by.  

The campground is within walking distance of a number of good restaurants and an outlet mall.  You can bike, walk, roller blade along the canal on either side, crossing by sidewalk on the Sagamore Bridge.  For sightseeing, Plymouth, Sandwich, New Bedford are all close by.

Rates for 2001:

View of my Toyota mini motor home from the canal bike road
	Prior photo was during my fall trip to the Cape area.

BAY VIEW CAMPGROUNDS, INC.
260 McArthur Blvd.
Bourne, MA 02532
Tel:  (508) 759-7610
http://www.bayviewcampground.com

I camped here this year (June, 2001) for the first time (at their off-season rate May 1 to June 22 and Labor Day through October 15 - Memorial Day Weekend charged at in-season rate).

In Season:  June 22 through and including Labor Day weekend:

Sites are exceptionally large with over 400 back-in and pull thru sites.

Facilities and Services

• RV and camping supplies store

• Laundry

• Ice, wood and bottled gas

• Camp store, ice cream parlor and coffee bar (open daily in season and weekends off season

• Cyberbooth for internet connection

• Cable TV hookups

• Passenger ticket agent for the islands shiplines

• Video game room

• Two playgrounds

• Daily activities and weekend entertainment (in season)

• Three freshwater swimming pools

• Badminton, shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, ping pong tables and Frisbee toss

• Tennis courts, basketball courts and ball field

• Dog run and doggie clean-up stations situated around the campground
  
   

Bay View is close to the Canal for biking, Heritage Village Plantation, Sandwich.  Salt water beaches are within a short drive or comfortable bike ride.  Drive down to Woods Hole and pick up the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, or just stay in town and explore the Oceanographic Institute's facilities that are open to the public.  Watch the seals play and go through the aquarium (no charge). 

Guide to Most Popular Beaches