AutoCamp Cape Cod Grows Up

AutoCamp Cape Cod Grows Up

Almost exactly 2 years ago, we visited AutoCamp Cape Cod for the first time. It was our first visit to any AutoCamp. We went because of a love of Airstreams. We were incredibly excited that there was an entire RESORT of Airstreams to rent!

Honestly, we were initially disappointed. Shocking, right? Keep this in mind: as Airstream fans, we’re super familiar with the commercial Airstream floorplans, but the Cape Cod Airstreams are really nothing like the commercial Airstreams. We’ve covered this extensively in other articles.

By night 2, we were over it, and we were falling in deep like with AutoCamp. Then the idea hit us: travel the country going to awesome locations (Russian River! Yosemite! Catskills! Joshua Tree!) and stay at ALL the AutoCamp locations! Then and there, sitting around our firepit on our AutoCamp patio, AutoCamp Reviews (and News) was born.

So – we returned to the scene of the first AutoCamp location to see how things have changed in the two years since our visit, and just over two years since they opened.

What we found is that AutoCamp Cape Cod has matured beautifully, in many ways. Some are changes, some are improvements, but (just about) all are positive and bode well for our home AutoCamp.

NOTE: As we were writing this article, AutoCamp Cape Cod received wonderful, long overdue news: their septic system is working properly! No more septic smell or pump outs. See more, below.

AutoCamp Cape Cod Grows Up – Changes and Improvements

We were surprised, pleasantly, at the changes we found. Several addressed a few issues that were a nuisance for both campers and staff – the compressed firewood and the heat/ac thermostat in particular.

Name Changes

X Suites are Now “Cabins”

This is so odd. They should have just dropped the “X” and called them “Suites” because AutoCamp already has cabins – that look like cabins. The new “Cabins” look like tiny houses. We covered it more here.

Luxury Tents are Now “Adventure Tents”

We were told that because the tents don’t have bathrooms, the name “Luxury” didn’t quite fly, so they changed them to “Adventure Tents.” Makes sense.

Real firewood

Hallelujah! Can I get an AMEN?! Kudos to AutoCamp for trying to be more environmentally friendly by requiring compressed firewood, but it simply didn’t work. The issues…

• It was hard to light! They often had to send maintenance to campsites to help get them lit.
• Everyone wants to smell a WOOD at a campfire.
• It was too expensive.

Now, you can have an authentic fire in your pit. We were grateful! We were even able to warm up some great pizza we got at Bad Martha Brewery that we brought along to have as leftovers for dinner.

Split systems 

Another very major change also evolved out of problematic user experience. The thermostats for a/c were really confusing, and the a/c was very loud! See our video on what it used to be like.

NOW, they put in mini-split systems into both the Airstreams and the “Cabins” (formerly X Suites). They are sooo much quieter and easier to use. Again, it was a PITA for the front desk and maintenance to constantly have to help campers figure out the thermostat.

No more food kits

They used to carry these “grill kits” – chicken or steak. Chicken was as low as $45.95 and steak $59.95, but we also saw them as high as $70 for a chicken dinner for 2 and the steak was $80 for dinner for 2. You’d cook it at your campsite. They looked great, but the price was very off-putting. Staff at AutoCamp Cape Cod said they simply weren’t selling, so they have removed them.

Bikes and Paddle Board Concession Run by 3rd Party

When we first visited in 2022, the bike rentals were handled by the front desk. The bikes were not very impressive. Again, to make things easier on the staff, the bike concession is now outsourced to a 3rd party company. This is a win-win. It keeps the staff more available for other topics brought to their attention, and the campers now have access to better bikes and also paddle boards! The bike rentals are still free for the first 2 hours! They also offer beach chairs, dry bags, backpacks, and coolers – everything you need for a visit to a nearby Cape Cod Beach.

Food fridge in store pretty empty

Yowza. They used to have very stocked fridges with lots of specialty and craft options on beverages and snacks. Now, it’s Coke, Sprite, etc.

Now they have typical sodas like Coke instead of specialty stuff.

No More French Press

We loved the French Press and the locally roasted coffees! But again, campers didn’t know how to use a French Press, even though AutoCamp provided very good, simple instructions. In fact, we ended up getting a French Press for home – it makes great coffee!

Now, there is a “drip kit” we first saw 18 months ago at either AutoCamp Joshua Tree or Zion on our cross country road trip.

Boil water in the kettle. Open the drip kit and place over the cup. BE SURE to push the blue tab at the front of the drip kit into the coffee cup. NOTE: the cups are too shallow! You will have to eventually LIFT the drip kit and gently squeeze the water through the filter in order to get a full cup of coffee!

No more mini basecamps

AutoCamp Cape Cod was the ONLY location to have a “mini-basecamp,” a combo of a ‘teepee” style tent along with an Airstream. It was designed for families of 4+. Put the kids in the tent, let them use the folks’ bathroom. Everyone in one campsite. However, it seems they weren’t popular. The tents have been removed. The platforms remain, and the spaces now rent as simply Airstreams.

Septic daily pump out or whatever time period it is

We have covered the issue of the problematic septic system at great length over the past 2 years. Finally! AutoCamp Cape Cod’s expensive nightmare of a septic system has gotten good news!

We can confirm from our August 2024 visit that there are no longer any septic or sewer odors on location. Read about this long, problematic history. here.

AutoCamp Cape Cod – Our First Re-Visit

As we live on the opposite end of Cape Cod half the year, getting to AutoCamp Cape Cod is an easy and convenient trip for us, so it made sense that ACCC was our first re-visit. We were so pleasantly surprised to see so many changes – all for the better!

We’ll see, going forward, about fitting in re-visits to the other locations. Catskills is also close by for us. However, we’re fitting in a visit to the brand new AutoCamp Asheville in November, and we’re hoping to get to AutoCamp Yosemite and AutoCamp Sequoia next May. So, we’ll see when we can re-visit AutoCamp Cape Cod. There’s no rush… we’re enjoying all our visits and keeping an eye on all AutoCamp news. Stick with us!