Camping at Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park in Brewster has one of Massachusetts' most popular campgrounds, by DCR's own description: 418 wooded sites set among pitch pine and oak, sloping down toward 8 freshwater kettle ponds. A site costs $22 a night for Massachusetts residents and $70 for non-residents, plus a $5 nightly surcharge for non-residents. Every site has to be reserved in advance through ReserveAmerica, online or by phone; there is no walk-in camping.

It doesn't look like the Cape most people picture. There are no dunes in the campground and no ocean view. The appeal is shade, swimming ponds you can walk to, and paved bike paths that run from the camping areas to the Cape Cod Rail Trail.

When the Campground Is Open

The 2026 season on ReserveAmerica runs April 16 to October 25, 2026. Outside those dates the campground is closed to overnight stays, though the park itself stays open for day visits from sunrise to sunset (see hours). DCR sets the dates each year, so check ReserveAmerica before you plan a spring or late-fall trip.

What a Campsite Costs

DCR lists these nightly rates on its Nickerson page. The non-resident surcharge was set by the state legislature in 2018 to fund the park's upkeep through the Nickerson State Park Trust Fund.

• Standard campsite: $22 for Massachusetts residents, $70 for non-residents, plus the $5 non-resident surcharge.
• Group campsite: $35 for residents, $100 for non-residents.
• Yurts: from $45 (small) or $55 (large) for residents. Non-resident rates and what's inside are on our yurts page.
• Every reservation also carries a non-refundable transaction charge from ReserveAmerica.

Firewood is sold at the park, by credit card only. ReserveAmerica lists the price at $7 a bundle.

How to Book

Reservations open 4 months before your arrival date, and you can book the same day up until 2 p.m. on the day you arrive. If you want a summer weekend, book on the morning your dates open. The full booking process, cancellation fees and the 14-day summer limit are on our reservations page.

The Camping Areas

Sites are grouped into numbered camping areas: Areas 1 through 7, Area 6X and a group of four group sites. Some areas sit close to Flax Pond and Cliff Pond, others are deeper in the woods. All accessible campsites are in Area 4, next to the accessible comfort station there. Our campsite map page lists each area's site numbers and what's near it.

What Each Site Has

• A picnic table and a fire ring at every site.
• Comfort stations spread through the campground, with hot showers and flush toilets.
• No electric, water or sewer hookups at any site. A dump station is open to registered RV and trailer campers.
• Room for up to two tents, or one tent and one trailer or RV, and two vehicles (a towed trailer counts as one).
• Up to four adults, or two adults and the children in their care.

Tents, trailers and RVs are all welcome. With no hookups at any site, come ready to be self-contained.

Check-in and Check-out

Check-in is 1 to 9 p.m. and check-out is by 11 a.m.. The person named on the reservation has to be at least 18 and show a photo ID that matches the booking. If you're going to be late, call the campground: a site not claimed by 8 a.m. the morning after your arrival date can be released, and you lose what you paid. The park office number is (508) 896-3491.

Pets at the Campground

Dogs and other pets can camp at Nickerson. ReserveAmerica's rules allow up to four pets per site, leashed at all times and never left alone. Bring the rabies certificate, because you'll be asked for it at check-in. Pets can't stay in a yurt, and DCR doesn't allow dogs on the swimming beach. Our rules page has the full list.

Campground Rules Worth Knowing

• No alcohol. It's banned in all Massachusetts state parks and campgrounds.
• No outside firewood. Massachusetts bans moving firewood into or out of any DCR campground, and bringing it can get you evicted. Buy it at the park.
• A 14-day cap between Memorial Day and Labor Day: campers and their gear can stay at most 14 days in total in any one park.
• Cliff Pond allows motors up to 10 horsepower; Flax Pond and the other ponds allow electric motors only.

Things to Do From Your Site

Most of what people come for is a walk or a bike ride away. You can swim at Flax Pond and Cliff Pond. Cliff Pond also has a 3.2-mile loop trail and a boat ramp. The park's 8-mile paved bike path connects to the 26-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, and four of the ponds are stocked with trout (see fishing). Park staff run seasonal interpretive programs, and the park has an amphitheater.

Getting There

The campground entrance is the main park entrance at 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631, on Route 6A. From Route 6, ReserveAmerica's directions are to take Exit 89 in Orleans, turn onto Route 6A West and follow it about 2 miles to the park on the left. Directions and day-use fees are on our parking page.