Curlew Pond Campground, near South Carver, Massachusetts, is a solid choice for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. With sites that are mostly right on the water, it’s a fantastic spot for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, making it easy to dive into some fun.

The campground boasts clean and well-maintained facilities, including upgraded bathrooms and private showers that many visitors appreciate. While the sites can feel a bit close together, especially during busy times, the peaceful atmosphere and friendly service help create a welcoming environment. One camper noted, “Awesome location for families, lots of space and things to do.”

If you’re planning to visit, keep in mind that the campground is alcohol-free, which contributes to a quieter experience at night. The rangers patrol regularly, ensuring that the area stays clean and friendly, though some campers have mentioned that noise levels can vary depending on your neighbors. 

Curlew Pond Campground is part of Myles Standish State Forest, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring the beautiful natural surroundings. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, you’ll find a mix of relaxation and adventure waiting for you.

Myles Standish State Forest offers plenty of year-round activities for the entire family. If you’re looking for a place to camp, swim, or explore the outdoors, this southeastern park is for you.

Curlew Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

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Carver

The Best Camping Near Carver, Massachusetts

Great family friendly park. Quiet at night. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking- the pond is awesome!

Sit's are somewhat close, but some of the pond view sites are a little more private.

Clean upgraded bathrooms.

Rangers patrol often, which keeps the place clean and friendly but can be tough if you have a day visitor who wants to park.

Curlew Pond

Curlew pond, K loop

This beautiful, shady state park has a variety of sites. Because the map is deceptive when it comes to the locations and spacing of sites, I definitely recommend driving around and looking at the different areas if you have the opportunity.

Several years we were able to have a site right near the beach at Curlew pond, and had wonderful experiences. Other times on the kayloop we felt like we were squished in like sardines.

your experience also depends on the people that are camping around you. We have had amazing, restful experiences with friendly neighbors, and times when we were surrounded by partiers.

because it is a very large state park campground, the DCR rangers do not come around as frequently and are not as strict as we've experienced them to be at other state campgrounds. This means that there was very little regulation of partying and noise.

No electric or water hookups at Curlew pond.

It depends on your neighbors

We just completed our stay here at Curlew Pond.  Long time listener first time camper here. 

**Pros:**

1\. All the sites are basically on the water.  It's great.  The Reserve America / DCR site map is wildly inaccurate (never experienced that before)  and shows our site not at all near the water so it was a great surprise to be RIGHT on the water.   I added a photo of an accurate map of the layout. 

2.  It was quiet, may be due to covid with less occupancy, but we were very pleased with how quiet it was … even with all the children enjoying themselves, it was very peaceful. 

3.  Bathrooms  seem new and are clean and well maintained. 

4.  Showers also seem new and are private room showers. 

5.  Despite the upcoming cons, we had a nice time and would probably  return. 

**Cons:**

1\. The showers are clean and private but, unless I am just inept, they seem to have one temp setting (push button operation) and that setting is scalding hot.  Like for real,  it steamed up the whole room almost instantly and it was too hot to actually use.  I truly could not understand it.   I left covered in steam and sweat - it was **literally** a steam room … in July.  Not cute. 

2\. The sites are VERY close to each other with almost no privacy / trees  to your left or right.  Due to Covid, the sites on either side of us were empty but otherwise it would have been alarmingly close.  

3\. There seems to be only one water spigot for the whole camp site.  You can get water from some  the dish clean sinks though. 

4.  There was an ice cream truck that did rounds a few times a day.   I'm not a monster who does not like ice cream but … the music took us our of the element a bit. 

5.  This is not exactly a con … more of an observation:  They have a very rigid and not quick registration process.  This may also be due to Covid but  you might want to be prepared for that possibility.

Has good things ... has not so good things

The park employees are great and the pond itself is nice. The restrooms were decent, too. But if your neighbors are a pain they will be so close to you that they will ruin your trip. We had a beautiful spot but no chance to unwind. If day drinking to loud music surrounded by even louder foul-mouthed campers of all ages is your idea of a good time, this is your place.

Your neighbors dictate your experience here

Awesome location for family’s lots of space and things to do friendly service.

Photos of Curlew Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

Real photos from real campers