Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Looking for a great base for exploring Cape Cod? Nickerson Campground is the perfect location and has a vast connections of ponds and trails making it a destination on it’s own. After spending a few night here on our recent trip to Cape Cod, we highly recommend this campground.
Below you can see some general information to help you plan your visit or you can check out our Guide to a Cape Cod Adventure.
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Quick Facts about Nickerson Campground
- Nickerson State Park spans about 1,900 acres in Brewster, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.
- Address: 3488 Main St. (Route 6A), Brewster, MA.
- The land was donated in 1934 by Addie Nickerson (in honor of her husband Roland and son), making it among the earlier state parks in the system.
- The park features “kettle ponds”ponds formed by glacial activity, so many of the water bodies are inland, fresh-water ponds.
Nickerson Campground Reservations and Fees
Nickerson campground is big – both in terms of overall size and number of campsites, but even though there are 400 campsites, these book up early. We got a mid-week spot for a few night in August after someone cancelled, but most site book up months in advance.
There are sites for both RV’s and tents and there are a few yurts you can rent. None of the sites have full electric hookups.
Make your reservations directly on the Nickerson Campground site.
This is also one of the most expensive campgrounds to stay in specifically if you are visiting frmo out of town (MA charnges a different rate for people from out of the state). We paid around $150 for 2 nights of camping. It is still worth it if you are looking to explore this part of the Cape.
Park Features & Activities
Trails & Biking
One of the best things about this campground is the number of trails. The campground is set up in a circular road around a series of lakes and the trails go in and around the lakes. Many of these trails are great for hiking, but you can also bike on the park roads or connect to the Cape Cod Trail trail. This trail is best accessed from the entrance gate to the park.
We found the trails easy for walking but not well marked and difficult to follow – bring a map or cell phone to helkp navigate!
Water & Fishing
One of the main reason people enjoy this park is that there are an abundance of places to enjoy the water. While many people come to Cape Cod for the beaches and ocean, swimming is often difficult due to sharks, rough weather, and tides. The 8 freshwater ponds in the park offer oppotrunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. There are a number of beaches to explore in the park.
Other Amenities & Use
In general, we found the amenities including restrooms, showers, dump station, a store (for firewood, snacks, camping supplies), picnic areas, playgrounds, and an amphitheater to be all well maintained and clean.
Summary of Top Tips for Visiting Nickerson Campground
Tips & Insider Advice
- Book early — this is a popular campground and sites go fast. Many recommend reserving the day the campsites open (often months ahead).
- Choose your area wisely — Areas 1 and 5 have more “waterfront” or pond-adjacent sites.
- Bringing bikes is smart — to move around the large campground and reach the store, playground, or trailheads.
- Stay informed about reservations and cancellations — sites sometimes open up via cancellation. This is how we got our campsite in prime season!
- Check pond conditions ahead of time, especially for swimming or fishing (some ponds may have algae or closures).
- Avoid transporting firewood from outside — the park is strict about this to prevent invasive pests. Wood is availble and the camp store.
- Be mindful of noise, speed, and camp etiquette
