AutoCamp Cape Cod – Review of Camp Site Locations

In an earlier article on AutoCamp Cape Cod – Levels of Airstreams and Their Locations, I began to look at the map of the locations at AutoCamp Cape Cod. I want to delve closer into that in this article.

AutoCamp Cape Cod Site Locations

Have a look at the 2 images, below. You’ll see the Google Earth version of the AutoCamp property.

As you can see in the marked up version, there are a few key areas of the property.

First, no one is allowed to park at their camp site. We’re big fans of this. It keeps the camp safe from moving vehicles, uncluttered, and let’s face it – classier. They provide nice wagons that are very plentiful for you to bring your things to/from your camp site. However, the wagons do pose a noise issue that we do hope they will address.

36 Palmer Avenue is the address of AutoCamp Cape Cod. Palmer Avenue is a very local road with low speeds. It’s not terribly busy, so to us, it didn’t seem to impact the camp.

The clubhouse is, essentially the middle – and heart – of the property. See photos and description of the Cape Cod clubhouse.

Free bikes! The Shining Sea bike path is at the rear of the property along with the bike shed. The rear of the property is a bit hilly. If you’re staying to the far left, you’re going uphill to the bike shed and bike path access. If you’re staying to the right of the property, you’ll be walking down a steep-ish (though quite short) hill. Everything is gravel roads at AutoCamp Cape Cod.

You see the red circle? This is the septic treatment. Yes, it is very stinky! We’ll be looking at that more, below, when we talk about the various locations around the camp and where you might want to be – and NOT to be.

Here is the map of the camp and where each Airstream, tent, and X-suite is located.

As I discussed in AutoCamp Cape Cod – Levels of Airstreams and Their Locations, the description of the different levels in relation to their locations is misleading, as you can see from this map.

So let’s dive in to take an in-depth look of each section of the Cape Cod property and whether they are worth the extra money for premium or “Vista” locations.

I’m breaking down the map into 6 sections:

Section 1 – Lighthouse Road

Section 1 is immediately to the right of one of the parking area, as you can see. I’ve labeled to site location numbers to help you evaluate what is best for you.

First, the location as a whole: Most of this is super close to the parking area as you can see from the big picture, towards the top of this post. It’s also a bit of a distance from the Clubhouse, but it’s a fairly level walk to the Clubhouse. All in all, I think Section 1 is ok. Just ok.

105 – 108 are very close to the parking area. There is minimal privacy. They are quite out in the open. These blue Airstreams are the least expensive to rent.

109 – 113 are actually very good locations, especially since they are at the lower Airstream rate. They were more wide open and private than 105 – 108.

114 – 118 were fairly marketed as “premium” (gold color). You have a bit more privacy and space.

118 – 120 were tight and – when you look at the big map – they back to section 2, so they lose privacy. 118, in particular, is a bad deal – it’s the higher price, and it’s not even a good location. Really avoid 120!

Yeah, we’re on Cape Cod, but don’t get excited about any REAL lighthouses here!

Section 2 – Crest Circle

Section 2 is a cul-de-sac, of sorts. It has pluses and minuses. Like 120 in section 1, 121 is a premium Airstream in a lesser-than location. Because it is almost at a right angle to 120, you lose space and privacy. AND they are charging a premium for it. Avoid 121.

At 120, we see our first “green” colored Airstream – a “Vista” or extra privacy. Nope, not even close. Just look at the map. Do not pay for 121 as a Vista. It should be a Classic.

123 appeared to be an ok location at the price of a classic.

124 is a tent. Tents seemed to have a large family with lots of small children in them. Consider that the tents will have much more noise than the Airstreams.

125 – 129 are fair for Classics. They are fairly back-to-back with section 3, so you will loose some privacy being close to that section. Plus, as you get towards 128 and 129, you’re also now close to the road to section 2, making 128 and 129 that much less private.

130 – 132 are X Suites. These locations lack privacy as everyone in Section 2 needs to walk past them, along with everyone walking to/from the Clubhouse.

Section 3 – Hammock Grove

This is one of the best locations at AutoCamp Cape Cod when comparing section-to-section. However, like all locations, there are points to consider like unsupervised children on the gravel “loop” of the road or on the hammocks themselves. However, this noise can happen in the other sections, but the hammocks did seem to “invite” unsupervised children.

133 is a tent with not much privacy as it is on the corner to section 2. Everyone walking to Sections 1 and 2 from the Clubhouse need to go past this location.

134 is an X Suite and doesn’t have much more privacy than 133.

135 (tent) and 136 X Suite are back-to-back with Section 2, but it’s not too bad.

137 is a great tent location. There is more distance here from Section 2, as the property bends.

138 is a Classic Airstream, and this surprises me. There is a lot of privacy in this location. There is no one behind you, and you’re far from Section 2 at this point. This is a great location, and it’s at the lowest Airstream price!

139 is a great tent location for the same reason as 138.

140 is Vista Airstream?! That’s really odd. As you can see, it’s the only “Vista” in this section. Sandwiched between two tents is going to be (potentially) noisy. It really has no more privacy than the rest in Hammock Grove. Is it worth the additional price? No way.

141 – 144 are terrific locations. There is a hill behind them, to the left, that offers really nice privacy from Section 4. We were in 142. I loved being in Hammock Grove – super close, level walk to the clubhouse without having other sections walking past – but the tents seemed to have a lot of people in them …and therefore noise.

145 – because it’s on the corner, it will be less private.

Section 4 – Sippewissett Lookout

Oh, this is a big, complicated section! Parts of it are among the best in the campground – and parts are among the worst! Note, also, the crazy numbering. Sippewissett is a Marsh off of Buzzards Bay on Cape Cod.

Let’s start with 146 – a tent. This is a busy intersection. EVERYONE in Section 6 is walking past 146 to get to every camp site in Section 6.

147 – 149 are fantastic locations, and they are Classic Airstream pricing. These are probably the best deals at AutoCamp Cape Cod. Across the road is a good sized hill and grassy area, so you have good privacy from Section 3. The center section – where our logo is on this map – is quite wide. These are great campsites. Of the 3, 148 is the best of the bunch because they’re not next to tents.

150 is an excellent tent location.

151 is an excellent location for a Classic Airstream. There is decent distance from the tent at 151.

The only oddity about the locations 151 – 152 is that there is a house just beyond the fence that borders the AutoCamp property. If you are hoping to feel like you’re camping and not in a neighborhood, avoid this location.

152 – 156 are all Premium Airstreams. I think these are fair assessments. I don’t know why 155 is a slightly different color, as if they were going to make it a “Mini Basecamp” but then changed their minds.

I would avoid 153 because of 170 which is a Mini Basecamp – an Airstream PLUS a tee-pee kind of tent for big families. Head up on noise!

157 – 158 are in a fairly busy location. Half of this section will walk past them.

159 is odd – sort of out by itself and tucked away. It’s more private than it appears on the map. This is a Vista Airstream and deserves the designation, though it really is an odd location.

160 is also a Vista Airstream, however, it may get some nasty wafting odors from the septic area. However, like 159, it’s sort of stuck back in the middle of a bunch of vegetation, making it more isolated (hence the Vista designation and pricing), so that may protect it.

161 – 163. These Vista Suites were the most prone to the nasty septic odor from down the hill below it. 164 and 165 seemed a bit more removed, but no guarantees you won’t get septic smell there.

166 – 168 are Classic Airstreams, and these seem fairly designated. Just keep in mind that you’re now farther from the Clubhouse.

169 is next to 170, which is a Mini-Basecamp. There will be big families in 170! I’d avoid 169.

171 and 172 are Vista Airstreams. Yes, these are terrific locations…except that 170 is a Mini Basecamp.

Section 5 – Buzzard’s Way, Wetland’s Way Part 1

First, this section is down a hill. The hill above 217 is on the steep side. All roads are gravel. The best way to get to the Clubhouse is up past 232. These sites are really quite far from the Clubhouse, and the section is not one of my favorites (see Sections 3 and 4 for my favorites).

236 – 237 will be prone to septic smell. I’m not sure about 235. 234 should be safe, and there is nice space around it.

230 – 233 are all on wide spaces. These are good sites in a lesser-than section.

217 will most definitely be prone to septic smell.

216 and down to 213 will each be less impacted, but 213 is next to 212, a Mini Basecamp site – large families/kids/noise. This will impact 211, as well. I would not consider any of these “Vista,” and I wouldn’t be happy paying extra for these locations! The same goes for 210 as it is at a very low part of the property.

209 – 208 are Premium Airstreams. Again, I don’t love these locations – far from the Clubhouse and down a significant hill.

This section is named for Buzzards Bay, which is the body of water to the south west of Cape Cod.

Section 6 – Wetland’s Way Part 2

Like Section 5, Section 6 is far from the Clubhouse and down a large hill. I do not find this appealing. As you can see, 201 is considered a Classic Airstream. It’s next to a large-family Mini-Basecamp. I would be especially unhappy to pay for a Premium Airstream in 203.

204 – 207 are all Premium Airstreams. The benefit of this area: no tents. These are all down in recessed areas.

218 is yet another Mini-Basecamp, so expect 219 to be busy.

220 – 222 are at least simply Classic Airstreams, so you aren’t paying a premium price for them.

The Bird House. I have no idea what this is supposed to be! It does look like a large birdhouse, though! I imagine it will likely be something for kids in the future.

Conclusion

It’s highly unlikely AutoCamp Cape Cod will allow you to select your location in advance, but they are really focused on customer service. Talk to them. Express your interests in locations and levels, and please please report back here as to your success with getting your preferred location. As they continue to grow in exposure and popularity, it’s less likely you’ll get your requests fulfilled, especially in summer, but at $500+ a night, maybe they’ll continue to have availability and will work hard to get you what you want. We’ll be back next year!