Affordable family vacations on Cape Cod should include a Nickerson State Park stay. It’s located in Brewster in the mid-Cape Cod region. It’s a large campground covering about 1,900 acres and includes 420 campsites. Nickerson State Park is really a fabulous place for outdoor lovers. It’s trail system included a bike path that connects to the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail.

It’s heavily wooded and has a mountain feel to it. Cape Cod terrain is not as flat as you might think. There are lots of hills and inclines that were formed when the glaciers created us! Leo and I go birding there and you really get the feeling of being far away from everything. Even at the height of the summer tourist season.

As with with the Shawme-Crowell State Forest in Sandwich, you can even stay in a yurt. (I actually stayed in a yurt in Mongolia many years ago. I haven’t visited these to find out how similar they are).

If you stay at Nickerson State Park, you’ll have access to beaches and fishing and be able to paddle. Motorized boats aren’t allowed. There’s a boat ramp to use. That’s a real plus during summer months on Cape Cod. On a Saturday morning during July and August, it can be impossible to find legal parking near a boat ramp. And believe me, you will get towed.

There are restrooms and showers, and trailer and RV dumping.

I’ve hiked in Nickerson State Park many times and been cross-country skiing there once or twice. It’s always been a pleasurable experience.

Nickerson State Park Fees. Massachusetts residents pay only $15 and out-of-state visitors pay slightly more at $17.  A small yurt is $30 - A large yurt will set you back $40.  There is a $9.25 transaction fee for making a reservation.
Reservations can be made up to six months before and as late as the day before. Although if you want and affordable family vacation on Cape Cod during July and August, I would highly recommend that you make your reservations as early as possible.  Full payment within 10 days of making the reservation is required.

Cheap vacations on Cape Cod start at the Shawme-Crowell State Forest campground. I’m not ashamed to use the word “cheap.” In fact it’s one of my favorite words - and has been long before the latest economic woes. In fact I dislike it when people hide behind words like frugal.

I always like to plan cheap vacations. And then save out a little extra for a special meal, tour or music event. Staying on Cape Cod can be so expensive. Especially if you need more than one room. About 10 years ago Leo and I bought a conversion van so that we could visit areas that are very expensive. I prefer a conversion van to a tent because I like my sleep number bed and an ability to lock a substantial door between my sleep number bed and the outside world.

Honestly I didn’t think that I would enjoy staying at a campground, but I’ve met a lot of nice people and shared many stories out under the sky. In Sandwich, we have the Shawme-Crowell State Forest which has 285 camping sites. If you are a state resident it’s only $15 a night, out-of-sate residents pay $18. You can make reservations up to 6 months early and as late as the day before. But I would highly recommend that if you want to stay at the Shawme-Crowell State Forest during  July or August you better make your reservations as early as possible. You can stay up to 14 consecutive days. You must make a full payment within 10 days of making the reservation.  We have many friends who use this option and always have a wonderful time.

The nice perk included in the Shawme-Crowell State Forest fee is that parking access to the Scusset State Reservation Beach is included. Access to Cape Cod beaches can be quite expensive during summer months.

Shawme-Crowell State Forest is also near the Cape Cod Canal, the Stop and Shop grocery store (so you don’t have to pay the inflated prices at smaller convenience stores), and the Sandwich Historic Town Center.  Of course you’re on Cape Cod so you’re free to travel all the way to Provincetown. Go whale watching even!