NICKERSON STATE FOREST PARK
Travel the road to the upper campgrounds in Nickerson State Park and you may think for a moment that you have been magically transported to the Berkshire Hills or the piney woods of the Carolinas. Nowhere in sight are the sand dunes and salt marshes usually associated with Cape Cod. Instead, you are surrounded by woods that slope down to the banks of eight crystal clear fresh water ponds. Yet, if you walk or bicycle through the woods, you will find no rivers or streams feeding the ponds. These are ?kettle ponds,? among more than 300 formed as glaciers retreated from the Cape over 10,000 years ago. Completely dependent on groundwater and precipitation, the water level in the ponds fluctuates from season to season and year to year.
Nickerson State Park is closed for camping between mid-October 2004 through mid-April 2005, although day use activities will still be available during the winter. Nearby Shawme-Crowell State Forest will be open for winter camping.
Nickerson's 1900 acres offers more than 420 campsites, including yurt camping, an amphitheater, eight miles of roads, hiking trails, an eight mile bike path that connects to the 25 mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, and ponds stocked year-round with trout. Cape Cod Bay is within walking or bicycling distance. You can swim and canoe at Flax Pond; birdwatch or catch-and-release fish at Higgins Pond, or participate in the many seasonal interpretive and recreational programs offered by park staff.
Nickerson State Forest Park is located in Brewster, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. It was named after Roland C. Nickerson, a former Attorney General of Massachusetts who generously donated the initial tract of land to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1934.
The park's history dates back to the early 1900s when it was initially used for cranberry cultivation. However, as cranberry farming declined in the area, the land was acquired by Roland C. Nickerson, who recognized its natural beauty and recreational potential.
Nickerson began acquiring additional parcels of land in the 1930s to expand the park. By 1936, he had donated over 1,900 acres to the state, and the park was officially established. Over the years, more land has been added through acquisitions and donations, and the park now covers around 1,900 acres.
During the Great Depression era, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a significant role in developing Nickerson State Forest Park. The CCC was a federal program that provided work and relief to young men during the country's economic crisis. The CCC workers built many of the park's facilities and infrastructure, including roads, trails, bridges, picnic areas, and campground amenities.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) continued the development of the park, constructing additional amenities for visitors, such as swimming areas, boating facilities, and more campground sites.
Nickerson State Forest Park is a popular recreational area that offers a range of outdoor activities, including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and horseback riding. Its diverse landscape features miles of trails, kettle ponds, and woodlands, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
The park's rich history, natural beauty, and extensive recreational opportunities continue to attract visitors from Massachusetts and beyond, providing them with a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Cape Cod's natural environment.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Swimming Beachyes
Bike Trailsyes
Bridle Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
1. Tent Camping: There are over 400 campsites available within the park, many of which can accommodate tents.
2. RV and Trailer Camping: The campgrounds also have sites that can fit trailers or recreational vehicles (RVs). Some even offer electrical hookups.
3. Yurt Rentals: For those looking for something different, Nickerson State Park has yurts available to rent as well - these round tent-like structures provide an interesting alternative to traditional camping accommodations.
4. Group Campsites: If you're traveling with a large group, there's no need to worry about space - the park features several larger campsites designed specifically for groups.
5. Cabins: Few cabins are also present on site but they get booked very quickly so early reservations is recommended.
BBs / Inns
a unique and beautiful bed breakfast inn
voted One of New England's Best by Fodor's
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ideally located on mid Cape Cod in the historic
Bass River Village of South Yarmouth
Only 90 Minutes From Boston Or Providence
10.6 miles from park*
BBs / Inns
An award winning Cape Cod bed and breakfast located in Harwich, Massachusetts. A tranquil hideaway, a short stroll from the sandy beaches of Nantucket Sound, this exquisite Cape Cod Inn is a refreshingly contemporary boutique inn housed within an 1850's sea captain's house.
7.7 miles from park*