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's 1900 acres offers more than 400 campsites Link to the image file. , including yurt camping, an amphitheater, eight miles of roads, hiking trails, an eight mile bike path that connects to the 22 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.
Activities
Camping
With over 400 campsites, Nickerson offers plenty of camping options. Bring a tent, trailer, R.V., or even rent a yurt on-site.
Fishing
You can visit 8 freshwater ponds, some stocked year-round with trout. If you don't want to eat what you catch, try Higgins Pond for catch-and-release fishing.
Hiking
You may forget you’re on Cape Cod while hiking miles of trails through the woods and around ponds.
Biking
An 8-mile bike path connects you to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved trail through 6 Cape Cod towns.
All Activities at Nickerson State Park
Boating (non-motorized)
Boating (motorized)
Basketball
Cross-country skiing
Camping
Hiking
Horseback riding
Swimming
Canoeing and kayaking
Mountain biking
Biking
Fishing
Educational programs
Facilities at Nickerson State Park
Amphitheater
Bike paths
Boat ramp
Group day use
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Trailer/R.V. dumping