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Best Equestrian Camping near Chaplin, CT

46 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Frog Hollow Horse Camp at Pachaug State Forest caters specifically to equestrian campers with primitive yet functional facilities. The campground features tent and RV sites arranged in a loop with spaces designed to accommodate both camping gear and horse trailers. Water access points are available throughout the grounds, and composting toilets are located near the entrance. Unlike standard campgrounds, each site provides adequate space for trailer parking and setting up horse lines. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system.

Three dedicated horseback riding loops depart directly from the campground, connecting riders to the broader trail network throughout Pachaug State Forest. Sites include areas for picnic tables, campfires, and sufficient room for horses. The campground remains fairly quiet even when half the sites are occupied. LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area in nearby Arcadia Management Area offers an alternative equestrian camping location with electric and water hookups for tent campers. Both locations provide direct trail access without needing to trailer horses between camp and riding areas. Fishing opportunities and hiking trails supplement the extensive bridle paths, making these locations suitable for groups with both riders and non-riders.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Chaplin, Connecticut (5)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Chaplin, CT

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Chaplin, CT

46 Reviews of 5 Chaplin Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 18, 2020

    Frog Hollow Horse Camp at Pachaug State Forest

    Equestrian campground near trails in a state forest

    It's hard to find much information about this equestrian, first come, first serve campground in Connecticut's Pachaug State Forest. The best source I could find was https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Recreation-Information/Horseback-Riding---CT-State-Parks-and-Forests

    Campsites are located around a loop with a couple of composting toilets near the entrance. Water is available. There's space your your camping gear as well as a trailer and horseline. About half the sites were occupied in late October.

    Three horseback riding loops leave from the campground. There's also fishing and hiking available in the forest.

  • Jordyn T.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Busy but worth it

    Mostly geared toward families, especially with kids. Most of the campground is RV sites. There a a handful of tent sites in the back (no hookups). Bathrooms and showers are very clean, general store and pools are nice and convenient. It’s a perfect distance away from Gillette (a couple miles) if you’re looking for an alternative to staying in a pricey hotel. Definitely not a place I would go to “get away from it all.” You can hear the highway from the sites.

  • Andrew P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2020

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Glamping to the max

    I wasn’t sure I would like this level of glamping, but I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping. Maybe it’s covid, but it felt good to be “near” other people trying to find peace in a crazy world. So much positive about the resort, the snack bar has an awesome menu and cost is reasonable. Beer at the store wasn’t unreasonable priced. The clothing/swag was fairly priced. The facility is big enough to walk, bike, short run, the frisbee golf is the best set up I’ve ever used. I went recently(mid October) so the pools were shut down, but there was still lots of activities. The bath houses were very clean and there was music playing, another detail that sets this resort apart. The grounds, for a packed campground were actually well done with trees, and large stones around. You will hear other people at nearby sites, it didn’t bother me, in fact listening to all the various dogs barking at each other from their respective sites made me laugh. You can hear cars from 495, but once again, somehow it did not bother me. I’ve stayed at campgrounds up in NH that are dry camping, and I can hear cars on Rt 16 or on the Kanc. There is a catch, sites probably average $100/night or more, when all the amenities are up and running, it is well wort it. Shoot, I’ve stayed in hotels for $150/night with no amenities. This place has so much to do, or just sit by the campfire and drink beer and relax, or borrow a movie for free. Remember to return it or they will process the $20.00 hold. I’m definitely going back, kids had fun, I had fun. Pay ahead and get your gate codes, and you can drive right to your site, that was super convenient, see the positives keep showing up. Thanks for reading

  • 175 P.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park

    Great place to camp

    Son and I stayed from Friday to Sunday. Easy to find the camp and the plot, well marked. Very nice sized lots. Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night. Close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail. Bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly. Would definitely stay again.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2017

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Huge park with lots of amenities and activities

    We planned a brief stop in the Boston area with the intent of seeing the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and Normandy Farms appealed to us for various reasons. One reason was the fact that they have dog walkers that will come to your site and take care of your precious pooch while you are away. Not knowing how long we would be away from the campground that service was a great option. As it turned out, we did not need to use this service but for some it would be a great perk if you were going to be gone all day. And with Boston traffic, we can see how that could happen. By the way, the library is well-worth it.

    When you enter Normandy Farms it is more like checking into a hotel than campground complete with a concierge and express check-in. The park is gated and a code is needed to enter and leave giving you a sense of security but I’m not sure it is necessary. Driving in you quickly realize how huge this park is with some 400 RV sites, tent sites, yurts, lean-to’s, safari tents, and cabins. 

    There are plenty of sites to choose from the “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 as are sites with shade and full sun. Premium sites have paved patios while other sites are gravel. Roads are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV’s to navigate. They offer cable television that yielded nearly 100 channels. Wifi worked well at our site and other places throughout the park. All sites come with a fire pit and picnic table. 

    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. All utilities were well-placed and functioned properly. The site was level. At the time we were there in October the campground was not very busy but we imagine that things get a little crazy when the park is full. 

    There is a really long list of amenities for this campground….four pools (include an indoor heated one), fitness room (with elliptical, treadmills, bikes, machine and free weights), creative arts center, camp store, 20,000 square-foot activities building (with adult only lounge, pool table, arcade, games, wide-screen televisions, sauna, Jacuzzi), restaurant, huge off-leash dog park (you can reserve individual day kennels), BMX bike park, horse shoe pits, baseball diamond, volleyball, fishing pond, shuffleboard, disk golf, and playground, and probably a few more things I missed. During the busy summer months there is a long list of activities ranging from yoga to kids games.

    Normandy Farms is approximately 35 miles from Boston. If you don’t want to drive to the city, you can park at the nearby train or subway station and ride into the city. You are just five miles from Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots) and Patriot Place (a hub for shopping and dining). About a mile from the campground is Foxboro State Park where you will find 20+ miles of hiking trails. Also within a five mile radius are plenty of restaurants, shopping, hardware store, grocery store, and more. 

    Some of the really good features are the huge dog park which has a dog washing station, water fountains for dogs and humans, agility-type obstacles for them to play on, dog kennels, and a bin with balls and Frisbees. I also liked (and used daily) the fitness center which had functioning equipment and a large television to help pass the time while working out – and was never crowded. The large community building has and adult-only lounge which serves as a nice place for people to get together and watch television or hang out without kids. With everything this campground has to offer you can see why it is a destination park for some people as their kids would be busy all day. 

    The downside really is the price and how many sites there are. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful getaway this is not it.

  • Brigitte P.
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Luxury camping

    We stayed in a lean to for the Cotopaxi Questival In April. It ended up raining and in the mid 60s the entire time so it was great and kept us dry!

    Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities.

    That being said it was very nice and felt safe. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 star is because you can hear the highway nearby so it didn’t really feel like a campground. That’s a preference though.

    Check out some of our videos from the competition! We found a little skeleton in our lean to so we made a short video, haha!

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Repeat customer and I sure hope we can again!

    We were here a couple years ago and told everyone we knew about it in the PNW never knowing if our big road trips would have us near Foxboro again. Imagine our surprise and delight when our quest to hit all the MLB parks showed Normandy as proximal to Fenway. Yahoo! Red Sox win and we get to be here again. Kids and adults alike love it. What’s not to love. It’s the kind of place summer camping trip memories are made of. 4 pools, fishing pond, lodge, trivia night, soccer, baseball, softball and frisbee golf and so much more. Full hook ups. Super long sites.

  • Courtney Lopes F.
    Aug. 13, 2021

    Normandy Farms Campground

    This is what Glamping was made for

    First things first- no bugs!! That’s right I didn’t know what I was missing till I notice I wasn’t getting bit alive by mosquitoes!!! They spray for them!!! So you can enjoy the outside without the pesky bites that come with camping!

    Then of course there is the luxury of having two pools, a ton of fun activities for kids, (fishing , dog park, horseshoes, tennis, basketball, etc)! It’s probably my favorite spot in New England merely for all the luxuries that come with this site!!!

    Plus you are close to Gillette and shopping!! Can get better then that!

  • a
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Very Enjoyable 1 night stay

    We enjoyed our tent site with a wooden lean-to. Overall very private and peaceful, however the only drawback is that people took frequent casual walks pass the area all day long. There's really no way around that.

    We did not get a chance to enjoy the amenities, but they all looked nice and well thought out.

    We will return.

Guide to Chaplin

Frog Hollow Horse Camp at Pachaug State Forest provides designated horse camping in northeastern Connecticut, approximately 25 miles southeast of Chaplin. The camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Equestrian campers can access three dedicated riding loops directly from the campground that connect to the broader trail network within the 27,000-acre Pachaug State Forest. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites specifically designed to fit camping equipment alongside horse trailers and space for setting up horse lines.

What to do

Trail riding access: Three horseback riding loops depart directly from Frog Hollow Camp, offering riders immediate access to forest trails. According to Jean C., "Three horseback riding loops leave from the campground. There's also fishing and hiking available in the forest."

Explore hiking paths: Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers multiple hiking options for visitors. "Close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail," reports 175 P., making it suitable for various hiking abilities.

Swimming opportunities: During warmer months, several nearby state parks offer designated swimming areas. At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Jean C. notes there is "a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours."

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Horse campgrounds near Chaplin, Connecticut typically maintain a peaceful environment even during busier periods. At LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area in nearby Rhode Island, campers appreciate the electric and water hookups available specifically for equestrian campers.

Spacious campsites: Equestrian campgrounds feature larger sites to accommodate both camping gear and horse equipment. Gary G. from Wolf Den Campground described his experience: "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."

Combined activities: Normandy Farms Campground offers diverse recreation options within driving distance of Chaplin. Douglas L. states it's "clean, fun and easy access," providing alternatives when not trail riding.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Horse camping facilities near Chaplin typically offer basic services. At Frog Hollow, Jean C. found "composting toilets near the entrance. Water is available. There's space your your camping gear as well as a trailer and horseline."

Site selection matters: When choosing a camping spot at The Preserve Club and Residences, Chris M. describes 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."

Seasonal considerations: Many Connecticut state park campgrounds operate seasonally. Jean C. notes that some parks like Mashamoquet Brook are "open Memorial Day to Columbus Day," so verify operating dates before planning a trip.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds near Chaplin include play areas for children. Jean C. mentions, "There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches."

Open recreation space: Mashamoquet Brook State Park provides ample room for activities. 175 P. appreciates the "very nice sized lots. Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night."

Bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms are essential for family camping trips. 175 P. reports, "Bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly," making the experience more comfortable for family groups with children.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: RV campers should verify campsite lengths and clearances before arrival. Gary G. observed at Wolf Den Campground that "Most sites are relatively short level pads," suggesting careful site selection for larger rigs.

Hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds offer limited hookups. According to Jean C., Mashamoquet Brook State Park has limited electrical options, noting "Site 20 is the only one with electric," which is important information for RVers planning their stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chaplin, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chaplin, CT is Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chaplin, CT?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Chaplin, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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