Equestrian camping near Hanover, Connecticut provides access to over 70 miles of bridle paths through the dense hardwood forests of eastern Connecticut. This region experiences moderate seasonal temperature changes with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows around 20°F. Camping facilities in this area range from basic horse-friendly sites with minimal amenities to more developed campgrounds with electricity and water hookups for both equestrian and standard camping needs.
What to do
Trail riding at Pachaug State Forest: Connecticut's largest state forest offers multiple trail loops directly accessible from Frog Hollow Horse Camp. Three horseback riding loops depart from the campground, eliminating the need to trailer horses to trailheads.
Fishing in local ponds: At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, campers can fish in the small brook near an old mill. "There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches, a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours," notes reviewer Jean C.
Explore historic sites: Several campgrounds provide access to New England's colonial history. "The park was completely cleaned up from any damage or debris, all in great shape. No other campers here when we arrived, so totally silent. No road noise," reports Gary G. about his post-hurricane visit to Mashamoquet Brook State Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites for trailers: At Frog Hollow Horse Camp at Pachaug State Forest, the "campsites are located around a loop with a couple of composting toilets near the entrance. Water is available. There's space for your camping gear as well as a trailer and horseline," according to reviewer Jean C.
Clean facilities: Normandy Farms Campground in nearby Massachusetts receives consistent praise for maintenance. "This campground is so well run I felt like I was in Disneyland's Frontier Land. They offer anything you could want. Spotlessly clean and wonderful employees," writes Jean T.
Immediate trail access: Horse camping areas typically offer direct access to riding trails. "Three horseback riding loops leave from the campground. There's also fishing and hiking available in the forest," notes a reviewer about Pachaug State Forest, making it convenient for equestrians who want to maximize riding time.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook State Park is open "May 26 to September 4," and users should note that "in 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed."
Limited amenities at some locations: Horse camps typically offer basic services. At Frog Hollow, expect composting toilets and water access but no showers or electric hookups. For more amenities, consider developed campgrounds like LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area with its electric and water hookups.
Reservation requirements vary: While Frog Hollow operates on a first-come, first-served basis, many other facilities require advance booking. "About half the sites were occupied in late October," reports one camper about Frog Hollow's typical availability during shoulder season.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreational options: Wolf Den Campground features "a small playground in the middle of the loop" and "large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night," according to reviewer 175 P.
Consider amenities like pools and activities: The Preserve Club and Residences in Rhode Island offers diverse outdoor recreation. "The Preserve Club and Residences is a members/owners only community which is New England's most amenity rich properties, in fact it may be the only place in the world that has such a diverse amount of outdoor offerings," notes Chris M.
Choose sites with space for play: When selecting individual sites, consider location and space. "The ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy," advises a reviewer about Mashamoquet Brook State Park, which can be important when camping with children who need space to explore.
Tips from RVers
Check site length and surface: At Normandy Farms Campground, "We chose a paved full hook-up pull thru with paved patio (Site E1). Our site was easy to navigate in and out of and was definitely big-rig-friendly with ample space for our motorhome and tow car," reports Nancy W.
Verify hookup availability: While Frog Hollow accommodates RVs, it lacks electric hookups. For full-service sites, Nancy W. notes that Normandy Farms offers "premium full hook-up (50 amp) to basic with just water and electric and many others in between. Both back-in and pull thrus are available."
Consider access road conditions: For equestrian RVers, road conditions to campgrounds matter significantly. Roads at Normandy Farms "are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV's to navigate," making it accessible for larger rigs towing horse trailers.
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