I will spend 16% of my summer camping. What will you do?
Summer 2008 consists of around 135,860 minutes (give or take). I plan on camping for about 21,000 of them.
Here's the list of where I'm going (and why I'm going there):
June 26-29 Hammonassest Beach State Park Madison, CT
Campsites are spacious and border a two mile stretch of sandy beach. CT state parks allow 6 people and 2 cars per site; fires and alcohol are permitted (no kegs, please). For those with children (or are just childish), there are ranger lead activities, including a Saturday morning treasure hunt and an amphitheatre for outdoor movie fun (last year we saw Pirates of the Caribbean). The showers are hot and bathrooms are reasonably clean and numerous.
At $15 a night, it's a real bargain.
Special considerations:
If you plan on building a fire, bring your own fire ring or plan on renting one from the camp store.
Leave Fido at home as no pets are allowed.
July 3-6 Dunes' Edge Campground, Provincetown MA
IMHO, P-town is just about the coolest place south of the North Pole. The first landing spot of the Pilgrims in 1620, the sand dune landscape is still fairly pristine. Artists, fishermen and ...er rather colorful locals make up the population of this small New England town. It's the only place I know where, in a two foot radius, you can see a man covered in fish guts, a famous poet, and a man dressed as a pregnant nun all going about their respective (but very different) business.
I haven't stayed at Dunes' Edge yet, so I can't speak to the campground itself. The coordinates seemed right, so I took a chance and made a reservation. According to the rules, one family and one car are allowed per site. Pets who don't disturb neighbors are ok and proper cell phone etiquette must be followed at all times (?). The beach and hustle and bustle of town are within walking distance. For $40 a night, I figured it's worth a try.
July 17-20 Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic (East Lyme) CT
Lyme disease isn't the only thing this coastal region is famous for. The stunning Rocky Neck Park attracts visitors from all over. A very popular place (especially with nearby New Yorkers), this campground frequently sells out before the season starts, so booking early is critical. The park boasts a beautiful beach on the Long Island Sound and an expansive grassy field that is perfect for setting up a volleyball net or a game of whiffle ball.
You can put 6 people and 2 cars on your site. Bring the liquor, leave the pets. It will cost you $15 a night.
July 31-August 2 Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury MA
If you ever decide to visit Salisbury Beach, try to stay on X, Y, or Z Street. You will have the most amazing view of the salt marsh right from you campsite. Watching the sun go down over the Eastern Seaboard while eating freshly boiled native corn on the cob is a most excellent way to end the day. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach from your tent (light sleepers take note), and the grounds are patrolled by State Troopers on horseback (a kinder, gentler form of police presence). Each site features a grill and fire pit. The camp store carries just about anything you might need (including fishing pole rentals) and there is a rather large playground for the wee folk.
The town outside the grounds features mini-golf, a go-cart track, arcades and live music in the town pavilion. You can also watch the (drunken idiots on) the Boston Harbor cruises go by the shore.
The cost is around $20 a night, and you can bring 3 people, 2 cars and your pets (with proof of rabies vaccination) with you. Leave (or hide) the alcohol, though.
August 21-24 Shady Knoll Campground, Brewster MA
Brewster sits on the Inner arm of Cape Cod and features calm bayside beaches that are geared more towards locals than out-of-towners. A tourist mecca this is not. Which is why it makes a great last stop on the 2008 camping tour. Shady Knoll is a private campground (and new to me). But only a mile from the beach, I figure most of the gente in my group can hoof it. For the one or two in the crowd that just has to drive, they'll need to stop at the Town Hall and get a parking sticker for $15 a day.
At Shady Knoll, 36 bucks a night buys you a site for 2 people ($3 more for each dog or child, $9 for an adult). Fires are allowed along with one car and one family per site.
Salisbury Beach
Campsite Y001 at sunset
Here's the list of where I'm going (and why I'm going there):
June 26-29 Hammonassest Beach State Park Madison, CT
Campsites are spacious and border a two mile stretch of sandy beach. CT state parks allow 6 people and 2 cars per site; fires and alcohol are permitted (no kegs, please). For those with children (or are just childish), there are ranger lead activities, including a Saturday morning treasure hunt and an amphitheatre for outdoor movie fun (last year we saw Pirates of the Caribbean). The showers are hot and bathrooms are reasonably clean and numerous.
At $15 a night, it's a real bargain.
Special considerations:
If you plan on building a fire, bring your own fire ring or plan on renting one from the camp store.
Leave Fido at home as no pets are allowed.
July 3-6 Dunes' Edge Campground, Provincetown MA
IMHO, P-town is just about the coolest place south of the North Pole. The first landing spot of the Pilgrims in 1620, the sand dune landscape is still fairly pristine. Artists, fishermen and ...er rather colorful locals make up the population of this small New England town. It's the only place I know where, in a two foot radius, you can see a man covered in fish guts, a famous poet, and a man dressed as a pregnant nun all going about their respective (but very different) business.
I haven't stayed at Dunes' Edge yet, so I can't speak to the campground itself. The coordinates seemed right, so I took a chance and made a reservation. According to the rules, one family and one car are allowed per site. Pets who don't disturb neighbors are ok and proper cell phone etiquette must be followed at all times (?). The beach and hustle and bustle of town are within walking distance. For $40 a night, I figured it's worth a try.
July 17-20 Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic (East Lyme) CT
Lyme disease isn't the only thing this coastal region is famous for. The stunning Rocky Neck Park attracts visitors from all over. A very popular place (especially with nearby New Yorkers), this campground frequently sells out before the season starts, so booking early is critical. The park boasts a beautiful beach on the Long Island Sound and an expansive grassy field that is perfect for setting up a volleyball net or a game of whiffle ball.
You can put 6 people and 2 cars on your site. Bring the liquor, leave the pets. It will cost you $15 a night.
July 31-August 2 Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury MA
If you ever decide to visit Salisbury Beach, try to stay on X, Y, or Z Street. You will have the most amazing view of the salt marsh right from you campsite. Watching the sun go down over the Eastern Seaboard while eating freshly boiled native corn on the cob is a most excellent way to end the day. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach from your tent (light sleepers take note), and the grounds are patrolled by State Troopers on horseback (a kinder, gentler form of police presence). Each site features a grill and fire pit. The camp store carries just about anything you might need (including fishing pole rentals) and there is a rather large playground for the wee folk.
The town outside the grounds features mini-golf, a go-cart track, arcades and live music in the town pavilion. You can also watch the (drunken idiots on) the Boston Harbor cruises go by the shore.
The cost is around $20 a night, and you can bring 3 people, 2 cars and your pets (with proof of rabies vaccination) with you. Leave (or hide) the alcohol, though.
August 21-24 Shady Knoll Campground, Brewster MA
Brewster sits on the Inner arm of Cape Cod and features calm bayside beaches that are geared more towards locals than out-of-towners. A tourist mecca this is not. Which is why it makes a great last stop on the 2008 camping tour. Shady Knoll is a private campground (and new to me). But only a mile from the beach, I figure most of the gente in my group can hoof it. For the one or two in the crowd that just has to drive, they'll need to stop at the Town Hall and get a parking sticker for $15 a day.
At Shady Knoll, 36 bucks a night buys you a site for 2 people ($3 more for each dog or child, $9 for an adult). Fires are allowed along with one car and one family per site.
Salisbury Beach
Campsite Y001 at sunset
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