Explore Cape Cod

Explore Cape Cod is a unique partnership of local naturalists and outdoors people who are devoted to respectful use of our fragile environment. Explore Cape Cod Tours combine the excitement of an outdoor adventure with an inspiring learning experience and the opportunity to see parts of nature you might never experience on your own.

Nickerson State Park - Brewster

This 2,000 acre park contains 418 campsites. Open from mid April through October for general camping, winter for self-contained units only. You can make campsite reservations for a mximum stay of 14 days by calling the park up to six months prio to your stay. In addition to camping, Nickerson offers boating, bicycling, fishing, hiking, horseback, picnicking, cross-country skiing, and swimming. For more information, call (508) 896-3491 or (877) 422-6762 for reservations only. Reservations can also be made at www.reserveamerica.com

Scusset Beach State Reservation - Sandwich

This beautiful park offers 104 campsites year-round. During the season (April 15 - October 15), electric hookups and fresh water are available to campers. In winter, self-contained RVs only are allowed. In addition to camping, Scusset offers bicycling, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and swimming. For more information, call (508) 888-0859.

Shawme-Crowell State Forest - Sandwich

This unique hideaway contains 280 campsites, open year-round. Self-contained units only in winter. In addition to camping, Shawme-Crowell offers hiking, hunting, picnicking, and cross-country skiing. For more information, call (508) 888-0351.

Waquoit Bay N.E.R.R. - Falmouth

In addition to camping this park offers boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Wonderful for birdwatchers. For more information, call (508) 457-0495.

South Cape Beach State Park - Mashpee

Offers fishing, hiking, hunting, and swimming. Good opportunities for birdwatching. This park below does not offer campsites, but has opportunities for outdoor recreation. For more information, call (508) 457-0495.

Private Campgrounds

• Atlantic Oaks Camp Ground, Rt 6 Eastham 508-255-1437
• Bayview Camp Grounds, Inc. Mac Arthur Blvd, Bourne 508-759-7610
• Coastal Acres Camping Court, Inc., W. Vine St Ext, Provincetown 508-487-1700
• Dunes Edge Camp Ground, Off Rt 6, Provincetown, 508-487-9815
• Horton's Camping Resort, 5 Highland Rd., N. Truro, 508-487-1220
• Maurice's Campground, Inc, 80 Rt. 6, Wellfleet, 508-349-2029
• N. Truro Camping Area, Highland Rd., N. Truro 508-487-1847
• North of Highland Camping Area, Head of Meadow, N. Truro, 508-487-1191
• Peters Pond Park, 185 Cotuit Rd., Sandwich, 508-477-1775
• Shady Knoll Campground, Rt 6A, Brewster, 508-896-3002
• Sippewisset Cabins Campgrounds, 836 Palmer Av, Falmouth 508-548-2542
• Sweetwater Forest Camping Resort, Off Route 124, Brewster 508-896-3773
• Camp Wingate Kirkland - White Rock Road, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675, 508-362-3798

Cape Cod Baseball League

Cape Cod Baseball League, recognized as one of the elite amateur summer leagues in the country, schedules games to fill a 44-game season for collegiate players on teams hosted by Chatham, Cotuit, Falmouth, Hyannis, Harwich, Orleans, Wareham, Yarmouth-Dennis, Brewster and Bourne. For a schedule, visit this site, or you can write to: Commissioner, P.O.Box 164, South Harwich, MA 02661 or call (508) 432-1774 for more information.

Barnstable Youth Soccer, The Barnstable Youth Soccer Association, Inc. aspires to teach the highest quality soccer to any and all Barnstable youths that choose to participate, regardless of economic circumstances. We strive to field competitive teams that are proud ambassadors of the Town of Barnstable, balanced with maximum player participation.

Saltwater Fishing

Opportunities for saltwater, freshwater and shell fishing abound on Cape Cod. Saltwater fishermen can fish for bluefish, tuna, striped bass, cod and flounder, oftentimes within reach of surfcasting along our 40 miles of Atlantic beach. No license is required for saltwater fishing.

Columbia Sportfishing, P.O. Box 829, East Orleans, MA 02643, 508-240-1613

Surfcasting

• South Cape Beach, Mashpee.
• Sandy Neck, Barnstable.
• North Beach, Chatham.
• Newcomb Hollow Beach, Wellfleet.
• Nauset Beach, Eastham.
• Race Point Beach, Provincetown.
• Gay Head, Wasque Point, Martha's Vineyard.
• South Shore, Great Point, Nantucket.

Spots for Salt Water Anglers

You can often see clumps of anglers at these favorite spots:

• Cape Cod Canal
• Bass River Bridge, Dennis.
• Bridge Street, Chatham.
• Oak Bluffs/Edgartown Bridge, Martha's Vineyard.
• Red River Beach, Harwich - from the jetties.
• Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich - all the way out on the long jetty off Bank Street Beach.

Freshwater fishing

Freshwater catches include rainbow, brook and brown trout, black bass, pike, pickerel, perch, walleye and shad. Check out the 78 ponds available on the Cape for fishing, which include the wonderful 700-acre Mashpee-Wakeby Pond in Sandwich and Mashpee, and the ponds in Nickerson State Park in Brewster, which are open to trout fishermen. Freshwater fishing requires a license available at town halls. Here are some spots to check out:

• John's Pond, Off Route 151, Mashpee.
• Peters Pond, Pimlico Pond Road, Sandwich.
• Peters Pond, John Ewers Road, Sandwich.
• Scargo Lake, Off Route 6A, Dennis.
• Goose Pond, Old Queen Anne Road, Chatham.
• Sheep Pond, Route 124, Brewster.
• Long Pond, Route 124, Harwich.
• Great Pond, Off Route 6, Truro.
• Long Pond, Madaket Road, Nantucket.

Shellfishing

Shellfishing for clams, bay scallops and quahogs is subject to local regulations and requires a license as well, also available in area town halls.

Opportunities abound for nature hikes and jogging within the 27,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore, eight state forests and parks, and five wildlife sanctuaries. Town conservation areas also provide trails for walks and hikes.

The Cape Cod Trails Conference has published a Guide to Long Walks on Cape Cod. A comprehensive listing of hiking and biking opportunities on Cape Cod, with maps and guides.

Bridle paths are maintained within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown; along the Cape Cod Rail Trail between South Dennis and Eastham; and in Nickerson State Park in Brewster. There are several private stables and riding academies as well.

• Fieldcrest Farm, Palmer Avenue, Falmouth 508-540-0626
• Haland Stable, Route 28A, West, Falmouth 508-540-2552
• Woodsong Farm, Lund Farm Way, East Brewster 508-896-5800
• Martha's Vineyard Riding Center, Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard 508-693-3770
• Misty Meadow Farm, Old County Road, West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard 508-693-1870
• Pond View Farm, New Lane, West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard 508-693-2949

Crafts of every sort ply the ocean and bay waters surrounding the Cape. Safe harbors, marinas, and yacht clubs line the coast, and provide mooring as well as boats to rent or charter.

Cat Boat Rides

Come Sailing on the Catboat! A Cape Cod Vacation tradition.

Hyannis ~ Ocean St. Docks at the Yellow Flag Pole.

Call for Reservations: 508-775-0222.

Sailing Instruction and Rentals

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay. 508-830-5000.
• Falmouth Recreation Department, Falmouth. 508-457-2567.
• Sandwich Recreation Department, Sandwich. 508-888-4361.
• Barnstable Recreation Department, Barnstable. 508-790-6345.
• Cape Cod Sailing, Inc., Hyannis. 508-771-7918.
• Yarmouth Recreation Department, Yarmouth. 508-398-2231.
• Arey's Pond Boat Yard, South Orleans. 508-255-0994.
• Orleans Yacht Club, Orleans. 508-255-9091.
• Jack's Boat Rentals, Brewster. 508-896-8556; Wellfleet, 508-349-9808.
• Cape Sail, Brewster, 508-896-2730.
• Chequessett Yacht and Country Club, Wellfleet. 508-349-3704; North Truro, 508-487-1686
• Flyer's Boat Rental, Provincetown. 508-487-0898.
• Sail Martha's Vineyard, 508-696-7644.
• Wind's Up, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard. 508-693-4252
• Nantucket Island Community Sailing, Nantucket. 508-228-6600.

Canoe and Kayaking

Many of the following companies provide rentals of canoes, kayaks, or other water crafts. Often you can find advice, tide charts and instruction.

• Jack's Boat Rentals, Nickerson State Park, Brewster, 508-896-8556.
• Cape Cod Paddle Ventures, Brewster, 508-896-2610.
• Cape Water Sports, Main Street, Harwich Port, 508-432-7079.
• Goose Hummock Outdoor Center, Town Cove, Orleans, 508-255-2620.
• Sea Nantucket, Walsh Street.
• Cape Cod Kayak Rental, on the Parker River, Red Jacked Beach Resort, 1 South Shore DR ,S Yarmouth MA, 508-398-SAIL(7245)

Windsurfing

Sailboard rentals and/or instruction for windsurfers.

• New England Windsurfing Academy, Old Silver Beach, North Falmouth. 508-540-8106.
• Cape Water Sports, Harwich Port. 508-432-7079
• Monomoy Sail and Cycle, North Chatham, 508-945-0811
• Nauset Sports, Orleans. 508-255-2219.
• Sailworld Cape Cod, 139 Main St., Buzzards Bay, 508 759-6559
• Jack's Boat Rentals, Brewster. 508-896-8556; Wellfleet, 508-349-9808; North Truro, 508-487-1686.
• Windsurfing, Unlimited, Provincetown. 508-487-9272.
• Winds Up!, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard. 508-693-4252.
• Force 5 Watersports, Jetties Beach, Nantucket. 508-228-5358.
• Indian Summer Sports, Jetties Beach, Nantucket. 508-228-9401.

Parasailing

• Cape Cod Parasail Jet Ski Banana Boat Rides Water Trampoline Kayaks, Red Jacket Beach Resort, 1 South Shore DR, S Yarmouth, MA, Best Western Blue Water Beach Resort, 291 South Shore DR, S Yarmouth, MA, Surf & Sand Resort, 277 South Shore DR, S Yarmouth .508-398-SAIL(7245)
• Martha's Vineyard Parasail, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2838.

For those whose game is tennis, there are many opportunities to improve your game. Cape Cod weather is kind to players engaged in strenuous workouts on the courts. Here are some public courts available to visitors. Local racquet clubs and sports centers also have courts open to the public. You may also want to check out the local schools.

• Bourne: Monumnet Beach, Chester Park.
• Woods Hole: Taft's Playground, Bell Tower Lane.
• West Falmouth: Blacksmith Shop Road.
• Osterville: West Bay Road.
• Centerville: Bumps River Road.
• West Barnstable: Cape Cod Community College, Route 132.
• South Yarmouth: Flax Pond, North Main Street.
• Harwich: Brooks Park, Route 39 and Oak Street.
• South Chatham: Kitty's Lane Playground.
• Chatham: Depot Road.
• Orleans: Eldredge Park, Route 28.
• Wellfleet: Mayo Beach, Kendrick Street.
• Provincetown: Motta Field, Winslow Street.
  Martha's Vineyard
  • Edgartown: Edgartown Town Courts, Robinson Road.
  • Oak Bluffs: Oak Bluffs Town Courts, Niantic Avenue.
  • Vineyard Haven: Vineyard Haven Town Courts, Church Street.
  • Chilmark: Chilmark Community Center, Beetlebung Corner.
• Nantucket: Jetties Beach, off North Beach Street.

• Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries, Woods Hole. Hands-on activities at this comprehensive aquarium. 508-548-7684.
• ZooQuarium, Yarmouth. Petting zoo, land and sea animals, sea lion show. 508-775-8883.
• Takemmy Farms, West Tisbury. Friendly petting zoo, with llamas, donkeys, roosters, and more. 508-693-2486.
• Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Nantucket. Marine life up close. 508-228-5387.
• Aqua Circus of Cape Cod, Yarmouth. Big tank shows, petting zoo. 508-775-8883.