Is Nickerson State Park Ready For Campers?

BREWSTER – With peak camping season upon us, there’s one question that needs to be answered: Is Nickerson State Park ready?

After this winter’s brutal blizzard season wreaked havoc across the region, the state’s department of conservation and recreation (DCR) was tasked with cleaning up the damage, specifically in Nickerson State Park. 

A spokesperson for the DCR said that while damage from February’s storm was extensive, the most significant impacts to the park were downed trees blocking through-roads and trails. Structures throughout the park got off fairly unscathed with only one report of roof damage to a yurt and one downed tree on a building. 

All camping areas are officially open for the season, and no area of the park is off-limits due to storm-related hazards. The DCR spokesperson said that as cleanup efforts wind down, campers and visitors should be mindful of their surroundings. There are still some areas where park staff are working to clear trails and dislodge overhanging debris in the tree canopy. It was also noted that visitors should avoid the overflow section of Parking Area 6, where gathered storm debris is being offloaded. 

While thousands of trees were cleared, no single area of the park was disproportionately impacted. 

Cleanup efforts began as soon as the storm passed and it was safe to travel into Nickerson State Park. In comparison to the blizzards of 2019 and 2006, this storm left a wake of limbs within the tree canopy from the heavy winds and wet snow, said a DCR spokesperson. 

At the start of the clearing, priority was given to clearing roads and emergency access. As main roads cleared, DCR staff moved to offshoots, clearing mostly downed limbs from pedestrian areas. 

DCR staff completed all tree clearing in-house, using existing budgeted resources. The DCR spokesperson said an additional $1,800 was needed for extra materials, but that was the only increase in expenses. 

Utilities were restored after the storm with the exception of internet access to the contact station. 

Much of the storm’s environmental impacts were minimal, with restoration likely to begin naturally, said the DCR spokesperson. He went on to say that there is no need for any replanting efforts. 

Peak season for the park’s campers begins annually on April 16, when a majority of bookings for the summer start to roll in. Reports say that Nickerson State Park was approximately 69 percent booked for Memorial Day weekend and 99 percent booked for July 4 weekend after the weekend of the 16th.

  Visitors have resumed daily use of bike trails, picnic areas and fishing areas. For timely alerts about parks across the commonwealth, visit mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-alerts. The DCR also posts regularly on its social media accounts to keep visitors informed of any closures. 

Happy camping!