Every RVer heading towards Cape Cod has to make a strategic decision. Do you dive right into the heart of it, battling the traffic on the Sagamore Bridge and paying premium prices, or do you find a smart base camp just outside the fray? For me, the answer is almost always the latter. That’s why Pinewood Lodge Campground in Plymouth is such a brilliant find. It’s a peaceful, wooded oasis that feels a world away from the hustle, yet it’s perfectly positioned as a gateway to both Cape Cod and the historic sights of "America's Hometown." And, most importantly for a traveler on the move, it has a convenient and well-designed RV dump station.
We were planning a trip that combined a bit of Pilgrim history with a few days of beachcombing on the Cape. Staying in Plymouth was the perfect solution. It’s only about fifteen minutes from the bridge, so a day trip to the Cape Cod National Seashore is entirely feasible. But it’s also right in the heart of colonial history. You can spend a day touring the Mayflower II replica, exploring the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and grabbing some phenomenal clam rolls right on the harbor. Pinewood Lodge served as our home base for all of it. Before we even settled into our site, our first stop was the dump station to get our tanks reset for the week ahead.
The campground itself is lovely, with sites nestled among tall pines and even some spots right on the water. The dump station is located right near the entrance gatehouse, which is incredibly convenient. They’ve clearly thought about traffic flow. The lane is wide, paved, and can easily accommodate even the biggest rigs. There’s a separate entrance for the on-site function hall, which hosts weddings and other events, so campground traffic is kept separate from party guests. This is a small but very smart detail.
Registered guests, like us, get to dump for free, but they also offer the service to non-guests for a modest fee paid at the office. Because a lot of the campground loops offer full-hookup sites, the communal station doesn’t see a ton of action, except for maybe on Sunday mornings when everyone is packing up to leave. We pulled in on a Tuesday afternoon and had the place completely to ourselves. The station was clean, with both a non-potable rinse bib and a separate spigot for drinking water. Having these two options makes the process of cleaning your gear and filling your fresh tank both efficient and sanitary.
One thing to be aware of is that function hall. It’s a great amenity for the campground, but it’s wise to check their calendar online before you plan your visit. If there’s a big wedding scheduled for a Saturday afternoon, the entrance area could get a little congested. We made a point to handle our final dump on a weekday morning before we left, and it was completely stress-free. Another good tip is to have some quarters on hand. While we didn't use them, we noticed the hot showers and some of the laundry machines are coin-operated, a classic campground feature.
For RVers who like to mix up their camping style, Pinewood Lodge is in a fantastic location. It’s right next to Myles Standish State Forest, a massive park with hundreds of campsites, many of which are primitive. A great strategy would be to stop at Pinewood Lodge to dump your tanks and fill up with fresh water, then head into the state forest for a few days of rustic, off-grid camping among the kettle ponds. It gives you the best of both worlds.
The campground is also very pet-friendly, with plenty of places to walk your dog and pick-up bags provided near the trailheads. They even partner with local mobile RV techs, so if you run into a mechanical issue, you can get help right at your site. That’s a level of service that provides real peace of mind. The only thing to be prepared for is packing out your own trash if you are only there for a day-use dump; that’s a pretty common policy at private parks.
The cost for non-guest dumping, which I inquired about for a friend, was in the typical range for a private resort in this popular region. Given the location and the quality of the facility, it’s a fair price for the convenience. You’re not just paying for a drain; you’re paying for easy access, a clean environment, and a stress-free experience right at the doorstep of some of New England’s most popular attractions.
In summary, Pinewood Lodge Campground is a top-tier choice for anyone exploring the South Shore of Massachusetts. It’s more than just a place to park your rig; it’s a strategic hub that streamlines your entire travel plan. The dump station is clean, accessible, and user-friendly, taking one of the biggest hassles of RV life off your plate. Whether you’re there to retrace the steps of the Pilgrims or to launch your Cape Cod adventure, starting your trip with a stop at this well-run campground is a very smart move.