Frog Hollow Horse Camp at Pachaug State Forest serves as a key equestrian camping destination in northeastern Connecticut, approximately 40 miles from Ivoryton. The campground sits at an elevation of about 400 feet within Connecticut's largest state forest, covering over 24,000 acres. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-65°F, creating ideal conditions for trail riding through the forest's diverse terrain of mixed hardwoods, wetlands, and rocky outcroppings.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Riders can access three designated horseback riding loops directly from the campground, with trails ranging from beginner-friendly flat terrain to more challenging routes with moderate elevation changes. At Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park, campers appreciate the nearby trails. As one visitor notes, "One of my all time favorite hikes."
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and streams within a 3-mile radius of most horse campgrounds near Ivoryton, Connecticut offer fishing for bass, trout and panfish. At Shinnecock East County Park, one camper reports: "The ocean is beautiful and we catch stripe bass. The bay is peaceful and we go crabbing."
Star gazing: The limited light pollution in Pachaug State Forest creates excellent night sky viewing conditions during clear weather. Wolf Den Campground provides "Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night," according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse campgrounds offer larger than standard sites to accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers. A visitor to Sears Bellows County Park noted, "This hidden gem is located right in Hampton Bays and is the perfect campground for anyone looking to camp off the grid. Tucked away in the woods is a beatiful well kept & maintained campground with spacious sites."
Water access: Most equestrian campgrounds provide water sources for both humans and horses, typically through centralized spigots rather than individual site hookups. According to a Sears Bellows camper, "One thing I really liked about this campground is that 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."
Privacy between sites: The equestrian focus means sites are typically spaced farther apart than in standard campgrounds. At The Preserve Club and Residences, one member described it as "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."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most horse campgrounds prioritize space over facilities. A visitor to Mashamoquet Brook State Park explained, "This small state park campground offers basic campsites with running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day... There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches."
Reservation requirements: While some equestrian campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, others require advance booking, especially during peak riding seasons (May-October). During COVID restrictions, one camper noted at Mashamoquet Brook State Park, "In 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed."
