Washburn Island - Waquoit Bay Reserve Campground - 10 Sites, Maps & Photos

OVERVIEW Accessible by private boat only and located in Waquoit Bay on the south coast of Cape Cod, camping on Washburn Island is a unique experience. This rustic camping trip will require some additional planning: composting toilets only, no showers, no supplies, no electricity, and campers must bring their own fresh water and carry out their trash. For more details about the Washburn Island camping experience, visit www.waquoitbayreserve.org/visit-the-reserve/camping . Pets are permitted in the campground only. They must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are prohibited from all beaches and dunes. Owners are responsible for the removal and proper disposal of pet feces.

Location: Geography/Natural Features: The Washburn Island - Waquoit Bay Reserve (WBNERR) is located on the south shore of Cape Cod, in the towns of Falmouth and Mashpee. It encompasses more than 2,800 acres of open waters, barrier beaches, marshlands and uplands. Washburn Island,  South Cape Beach State Park , Reserve Headquarters and the Quashnet River Woodlands are components of the Reserve which include trails through or near marshes, beaches, rivers and woodlands. The Waquoit Bay Reserve is representative of typical shallow bay environments, from Chesapeake Bay to Cape Cod. Visit the WBNERR website for more information.

Recreation: Washburn Island, located in Waquoit Bay, offers hiking trails and a unique primitive camping experience.  Access to Washburn Island is by private boat only . Camping on an island gives you the perfect excuse to fish the day away, then later cook your catch.

Nearby: While in the area, be sure to visit other nearby DCR properties: Shawme Crowell State Forest, Barnstable State Forest, Nickerson State Park and Scusset Beach State Reservation. For more information: click here

Phone: (508) 457-0495 x100
Address: 131 Waquoit Hwy, WAQUOIT, MA MA 02536
Fees: Non-Peak Primitive Site $10.00 Non-Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00 Non-Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00 Non-Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00 Peak Primitive Site $10-$12 Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00-$24.00 Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00-$21.00 Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00-$23.00
Facilities: Camping on  Washburn Island is accessible by private boat only  and offers nine family sites (up to four adults or two adults and children in their care) and one group site (up to 25 people). There are two composting toilets, no potable water, no showers, and no electricity. Please plan to bring one gallon of water per person per day. The island and campground are carry-in, carry-out – all users must carry out their trash . Check out this webpage for more information about camping on Washburn Island.
Directions: Waquoit Bay National Research Estuarine is located on the southern part of Cape Cod, in southeastern Massachusetts. Access to the island is by private boat only. Follow Route 28 North toward Falmouth/Woods Hole. From Boston: Follow Route 3 South to the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Route 3 crosses over the bridge and becomes Route 6. Take Exit 2 (Route 130). Turn right off the ramp and follow 130 South 7 miles to the 4th set of lights at Great Neck Road, turn right onto Great Neck Road and follow it 2 miles to the Mashpee Rotary. Halfway around the rotary, take Route 28 North toward Falmouth/Woods Hole. Follow Route 28 north toward Falmouth/Woods Hole. From Providence and Points West: Follow Route 495 or 195 to Route 25. Route 25 crosses over the Bourne Bridge and becomes Route 28. Follow Route 28 South to Route 151 (first exit after the Cataumet/Otis ANGB Rotary). Turn right off the ramp and follow 151 east toward New Seabury and the Mashpee Rotary. At the rotary, take Route 28 toward Falmouth/Woods Hole. Follow Route 28 north toward Falmouth/Woods Hole. Parking Inforamtion: From 5/23-6/19: Overnight parking is no longer available at the town of Falmouth's parking lot at White's Landing (Waquoit Town Landing). Campers will be responsible for finding suitable parking arrangements on non-DCR property. DCR is not responsible for towed vehicles, fines, theft, or damage From 6/20-8/30: East Falmouth Elementary School is graciously allowing campers to utilize their lot. Parking will be available on Friday and Saturday nights only at the East Falmouth Elementary School, located at 33 Davisville Road, East Falmouth, MA. Please click here to check. There will be 2 spots available for each campsite, 1 for a vehicle and 1 for a trailer. ALL vehicles must be off the property by 3 p.m. on Sunday. Vehicles will need to display a parking tag on the vehicle dashboard at all times while on the property. You can either print your confirmation email at home or pick up a hangtag at the visitor center at WBNERR located at 131 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit, MA The visitor center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., staff will be available to assist. If you arrive after hours, you can collect a parking pass from the mailbox marked for campers at the main Visitor Center entrance door. Please be respectful of the school premises, and the surrounding neighbors. Trash is carry in; carry out. Please do not dispose of your trash on school premises. From 8/31-10/11: Overnight parking is no longer available at the town of Falmouth's parking lot at White's Landing (Waquoit Town Landing). Campers will be responsible for finding suitable parking arrangements on non-DCR property. DCR is not responsible for towed vehicles, fines, theft, or damage

Important information

Specific to this facility: This is an island and rustic camping experience. There is no fresh water, flush toilets, showers or telephones on the island. Access to this primitive camping area is by private boat only. Please bring adequate potable water to provide each member of your party with one gallon of water per day. Please carry out everything you carried in. Ticks are present on Washburn Island. Please check yourself thoroughly. Please read the important information below, prior to making a reservation. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Massachusetts state parks and campgrounds. Campsite Fees at Washburn Island, Waquoit Bay Reserve $8 for MA resident / $20 for non-resident. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE. Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood into or out of any DCR campground. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. Transportation of firewood or other wood products, may result in eviction. Please plan to pre-purchase firewood when you make your reservation. A limited amount will be available for purchase on island. Bundles are $7 dollars; Please bring exact change as none can be made. Remember to bring along your Reservation Number! Upon arrival, please check in with the Island Manager as soon as possible. Check-in time is 1:00 to 9:00 pm; check out by 11:00 am. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The use of generators is not permitted during quiet hours except for the purpose of operating a medical device. Reservation and Occupancy: Camping equipment is limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Violators of the 14-day limit may have their reservation cancelled and be asked to leave the park. Reservations must be in the name of the primary occupant, who is at least 18 years of age. A photo ID is required at check- in and must match the name on the reservation. Campsite occupancy is limited to four adults, or two adults and the children in their care. Campsites are limited to two tents. Reservations with departure dates outside the 6-month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made. Cancellations and changes will incur a $10 fee. Day of arrival cancellations require a phone call to the campground and will result in the loss of the first night camping fee, plus the $10 cancellation fee. Reserved campsites will be held until 8:00 am on the day after your scheduled arrival date. If we are not contacted, your reservation will be no-showed resulting in no refund. Camping with Pets: Pets are permitted at most campgrounds and there is a limit of four pets per campsite. A current rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. Pets must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not permitted in state buildings or when camping in a yurt or cabin. Pets are prohibited from all beaches and dunes. Owners are responsible for the removal and proper disposal of pet feces. Check in time is 1:00 to ? pm, check out by 11:00 am.