This year, I just couldn't wait for the '09 official camping season to kick off, so I decided to 'pre-game' it by taking an impromptu trip to Cape Cod. And boy, I am ever glad I did. 

I have driven past Bourne Scenic Park for years (and even made an emergency pit stop in the entryway a couple of summers ago to nurse one overheating Jetta), but never considered staying here before.  It just seemed like I needed to go 'deeper' into the Cape to get the full effect, or to 'get away from it all'.  OK, I'll  just say it.  I WAS WRONG.

The Campground

The office was sparkly clean and newly remodeled with the nicest, pleasantest and most helpful staff I have ever encountered in a campground.  They offered us the pick of tent sites, and suggested their favorites.  We chose site D-1 (one of the three tent sites with water and electricity) and paid the off-season rate of $32/night (which covers 2 adults, 2 children and 2 cars).  D-1 was more than big enough to accommodate all of our snappy gear, and offered a decent amount of privacy. Most of the sites have a fire ring, and for 5 bucks, the friendly folks at the office will deliver enough wood to your site to keep your fire roaring until quiet hours. The campground, bathrooms and store were all super clean and well maintained.   The pavilion area offered free wifi.  The showers were free and HOT!  There are only a couple of things to 'know before you go' about this campground.  The convenient location means that the local highway is on the boundary.  You will probably hear the traffic during your stay.  This cloud does, however, have a silver lining.  Bands of wild turkeys, bear families, etc. generally do not thrive in places like this.  The danger of animals throwing and after hours party in your campsite is relatively low.   Also, for some reason, the newly remodeled bathrooms have stainless steel toilets with no toilet seats.  Which is probably normal if you are in jail awaiting trail.  Camping, not so much.  Early May in Massachusetts + stainless steel toilet = just about the weirdest thing I have ever felt.  The natural beauty and great atmosphere more than make up for this little design faux-pas, though.

The Area

Just as Brewster offers a truly unique experience via the Flats, and Provincetown is, well, like no place on Earth, the Bourne/Buzzards Bay area has it's own charm and characteristics that can only be felt by staying here.  And Bourne Scenic Park is ground zero.  The Cape Cod Canal runs parallel to the campground, and some of the sites are so close to it they are practically underwater (OK, minor exaggeration, but one can see/hear/smell/taste the canal from just about any vantage point in the park).  Access to the eight mile paved trail that surrounds the canal was a thirty second walk from my campsite (no exaggeration).  One can lose an entire day (in a good-way) walking, biking, blading, (or if you are feeling particularly murderous) fishing the canal.  For those that make it about halfway down the eastern end of the trail, the Seafood Shanty awaits across the street just calling your name like a siren. 

So, if you are planning a summer jaunt to Cape Cod, consider making your drive an hour or two shorter by staying here.  Bourne Scenic Park most definitely gets the Snappy Camper seal of approval!




With Bourne Scenic Park on one side and Cape Cod Canal on the other, this trail is a Snappy Camper's paradise.