Equestrian camping near New London, Connecticut provides access to diverse terrain across southeastern Connecticut's hardwood forests and wetlands, with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs averaging 80°F while fall temperatures drop to 50-60°F during prime riding season. Camping facilities vary from primitive sites to those with basic amenities for both riders and horses.
What to do
Trail riding through state forests: Pachaug State Forest offers three distinct horseback riding loops directly accessible from Frog Hollow Horse Camp. According to Jean C., "Three horseback riding loops leave from the campground. There's also fishing and hiking available in the forest."
Beach activities: Shinnecock East County Park provides unique oceanfront experiences for visitors. As Anthony M. notes, "The ocean is beautiful and we catch stripe bass. The bay is peaceful and we go crabbing." The park combines water activities with camping opportunities just a ferry ride away from New London.
Hiking opportunities: Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers extensive trail systems for hikers. "One of my all time favorite hikes," reports Mike C. The park features geocaching opportunities and historical sites with a mix of difficulty levels suitable for different abilities.
Kayaking and boating: Sears Bellows County Park features lake access with affordable boat rentals. One visitor shared, "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
Privacy between sites: The forest layout at Wolf Den provides natural separation between campsites. Jean C. explains, "The parking pads are paved and a few have overhanging branches, but 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."
Well-maintained facilities: Sears Bellows County Park receives consistent praise for upkeep. According to Lexis N., "Tucked away in the woods is a beautiful well kept & maintained campground with spacious sites, a lake with kayaking access, and trails for bike riding and hiking."
Star-gazing opportunities: Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers clear night skies away from urban light pollution. A camper noted, "Very nice sized lots. Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night."
Beach proximity: Shinnecock East County Park provides direct beach access for campers. Kayla G. enthuses, "camping directly on the beach at one of the nicest beaches in the world. You cannot find another place like this!!"
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Some camping areas require specific vehicles for access. At Shinnecock East, Lisa M. advises, "4x4 a must, air down a must. Beautiful on the bay or ocean side. They also have a hill top section."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. According to Gary G., who visited Sears Bellows County Park after a hurricane, "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."
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be spotty throughout the region. One camper at Wolf Den noted, "download details for offline use as phone connection is spotty."
Generator policies: Policies vary by campground. At Sears Bellows, Vivian T. mentions "the only down fall no electricity," while another visitor notes "generators are allowed."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sears Bellows provides family-friendly play areas. Gino D. reports, "The playground is really nice and big has a lot of slides."
Pet regulations: Policies vary by location. Wolf Den Campground restricts pets while Sears Bellows is "good for dogs," according to Gino D., who adds "the trails are nice and big."
Swimming options: Seasonal swimming is available at select locations. Mashamoquet Brook has "a swimming pond" though a reviewer noted that during 2020 "swimming was not allowed" due to restrictions.
Activity variety: Families can combine multiple outdoor pursuits. At Sears Bellows, Nadia V. advises, "I would also bring my bike and fishing pole to do more outdoor activities. I would also advise to rent the rowboats because that was a lot of fun!"
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook offers varying pad lengths. Gary G. notes, "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."
Hookup availability: Most equestrian camping areas offer limited hookups. The Preserve Club and Residences provides full hookups for members, though access is restricted.
Water connections: Even without full hookups, some sites provide water. As Lexis N. points out at Sears Bellows, "Each camp site spot has a provided water hook up. This campground does not have an electric hook up but generators are allowed!"
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for sanitary needs as not all campgrounds offer on-site facilities. Some campgrounds like Shinnecock East have sanitary dumps while others require self-contained waste management.
