The catch is that you must have been a Massachusetts Audubon Society member for at least a year to get camping privileges. If you are not, take a membership ($40 per year for a family) now and start planning for next year; in the meantime, the membership will give you complimentary access to many wildlife areas across the state.

Set in a pine forest, the campground offers some of the largest sites you may find in New England, especially in the North and South areas; you are unlikely to hear your neighbors at any time; in any case, most campers here are quiet nature lovers who primarily come to Wellfleet to enjoy nature. Facilities are first-rate and very clean.

Despite its attractive location the campground is relatively easy to book, especially on Friday nights, even in summer; if you have the flexibility to leave early on a Friday, you are certain to find a spot (we found nearly half the sites open a Friday night in mid-July). Saturdays are naturally more busy but planning a few weeks in advance should still land you a spot. One constraint is that check-in is by 4:30 pm, which forces you to leave early from Boston; the Audubon staff can wait for you but will charge $25 an hour to do so.

Please note that bookings are for full weeks only from July 19 to end of August; you can book individual nights the rest of the year.

Spending the night here gives you instant access to miles of trails in the Wellfleet sanctuary; check out our related destination A day in the Wellfleet Sanctuary for a day hike across the saltwater wetlands. The sanctuary is a great destination for hiking, bird-watching and relaxing, and you can easily spend a full weekend there.
The sanctuary itself is also open daily to non-members for a fee ($5 per adult, $3 children and seniors).