Pachaug State Forest provides equestrian camping sites at Frog Hollow, located 36 miles from Haddam, Connecticut. The campground connects to forest trails suited for novice to intermediate riders with varied terrain. Campers should arrive early on weekends as sites cannot be reserved in advance and operate on a first-come basis.
What to do
Trail riding access: Three designated horse trails originate directly from Frog Hollow Horse Camp, allowing immediate access to forest paths. At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, visitors find additional riding opportunities, with one camper noting it contains "one of my all time favorite hikes."
Explore historical sites: The region features several colonial-era structures and landmarks within riding distance. A visitor to Mashamoquet mentioned "a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours" adding historical interest to camping trips.
Water activities: Many nearby forests contain ponds and streams suitable for fishing. At Sears Bellows County Park, "there was a river/pond close by (Bellows Pond). The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: The wooded setting creates privacy between sites. A camper at Mashamoquet Brook State Park noted "the trees provide separation and some shade on largely open sites that tend to open up toward the back with open areas for pitching tents."
Clean facilities: Despite rustic conditions, the composting toilets receive regular maintenance. As one visitor to Shinnecock East County Park stated, "The campground is very well kept and clean which I really liked. They do have quite a bit of garbage's to dump your trash in."
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution in the area creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A camper at Mashamoquet observed there are "large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night."
What you should know
Water availability: While water is provided for horses, campers should bring containers to transport it from the central spigot to their site. At The Preserve Club and Residences, "each camp site spot has a provided water hook up," but most equestrian camps have more limited water access.
Limited information: Current details about equestrian camping near Haddam may require direct contact with forest services. One visitor noted "it's hard to find much information about this equestrian, first come, first serve campground in Connecticut's Pachaug State Forest."
No electric hookups: The horse camp sites lack electricity, requiring self-sufficient camping setups. A camper at Sears Bellows warned "there are not any electrical hook-ups, so if that is something you need you might not want to come stay here."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some nearby campgrounds feature play equipment for children. A visitor to Sears Bellows County Park reported "the playground is really nice and big has a lot of slides."
Geocaching opportunities: Several trails contain geocaching locations adding an interactive element to hikes. A camper at LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area noted there are "a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches (download details for offline use a phone connection is spotty)."
Multiday planning: Consider staying longer to experience varied activities. One Sears Bellows visitor suggested "I would love to come back here someday, but stay maybe a day or two longer to do more things- I would also bring my bike and fishing pole to do more outdoor activities."
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Most equestrian camping areas have modest-sized pads that accommodate smaller trailers. At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, campers found "most sites are relatively short level pads, with little or no shade, but very pleasant. We picked site 33 for the best shade and longer pad."
Generator policies: Verify current rules regarding generator use as policies vary between parks. A visitor at Shinnecock East noted their experience was "dry camping in an RV no tents," indicating self-contained power was necessary.
Off-season availability: Fall and early spring offer less crowded conditions for equestrian camping near Haddam. One camper mentioned "about half the sites were occupied in late October," suggesting good availability outside peak summer months.
