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Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook State Park accepts horses among its pet-friendly policies. Located in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, the campground offers 35 campsites with paved parking pads suitable for moderate-sized horse trailers. The campground features basic facilities including running water, showers, and toilets. Campsites include fire rings with grills and picnic tables, with site 20 being the only one with electric hookups. Sites toward the back of the loop provide more privacy and back up to wooded areas that may be preferable for campers with horses. The campground is open seasonally from May 26 to September 4 and maintains a 4.5-star rating. Sites generally have open areas extending toward the back that provide space for setting up horse containment systems.
Several hiking trails accessible directly from the campground provide potential riding opportunities. The park encompasses hiking paths of varying difficulty levels, with some trails connecting to larger networks in the surrounding area. Campground regulations prohibit hammocks in trees, which may extend to temporary horse containment systems requiring tree attachment. Trailer parking is available at the paved sites, though some have overhanging branches that could pose challenges for taller trailers. The campground layout includes a central playground area with campsites arranged in a loop formation. Sites remain relatively quiet with minimal road noise reported by campers. The park's terrain includes a small brook and wooded areas that provide natural scenery for trail rides. Advance reservations are required for all campsites.
"Close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail. Bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly. Would definitely stay again."
"Wished we had time to check out the hiking trails accessible from the campground."
from $14 - $29 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $125 - $500 / night
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ScoutSon 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.
GuideStayed here on a Tuesday night right after hurricane Henri. 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. 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. Wished we had time to check out the hiking trails accessible from the campground.
LegendThis small state park campground offers basic campsites with running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day. This is NOT Wolf's Den Family Campground in E. Haddam, CT. Also, be aware there are 2 campgrounds at this State Park; the other one, Mashamoquet Brook, does not offer running water/showers, so if you want these amenities, be sure to select a campsite 1-35.
There's a small playground in the middle of the loop, a number of hiking trails throughout the park along with a few geocaches (download details for offline use a phone connection is spotty), a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop that is sometimes open on weekends for tours. It's a nice place to explore and have a picnic. In 2020 with Covid, there were restrictions on visitors to the campground, reservations required, and swimming was not allowed.
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. Sites have fire rings with grills and picnic tables. Site 20 is the only one with electric. The ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy.
They don't allow hammocks in the trees or pets. For some reason, silly string also makes the list of prohibitions.
ScoutOne of my all time favorite hikes.
Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers equestrian-friendly camping at Wolf Den Campground in Connecticut, approximately 65 miles from Amherst Center, Massachusetts. This campground provides 35 designated sites with paved parking areas capable of accommodating horse trailers. The campground operates seasonally with a defined camping season running from late May through early September, requiring advance reservations for all visitors.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking trails connect directly to the campground, providing potential riding routes for equestrians. As visitor Mike C. notes, the park contains "one of my all time favorite hikes," making it suitable for both horseback riding and on-foot exploration.
Stargazing opportunities: The open areas within Wolf Den Campground create excellent conditions for nighttime astronomy. According to camper "175 P.," the campground offers "large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night."
Swimming access: When seasonal restrictions permit, the park includes a swimming pond for cooling off after trail rides. The campground also features a small brook with historic structures including an old mill and blacksmith shop that occasionally opens for weekend tours.
Quiet atmosphere: The campground maintains a peaceful setting with minimal disruptions. Gary G. reports, "No other campers here when we arrived, so totally silent. No road noise." This tranquility extends throughout most sites, particularly those positioned farther from the entrance.
Site privacy: Campsites toward the rear of the loop provide increased seclusion. Jean C. explains that "the ones toward the back of the loop back up toward the woods and give you some more privacy," making these locations preferable for horse campers requiring additional space.
Clean facilities: The campground maintains well-kept amenities. Recent visitor "175 P." noted "bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly," indicating consistent maintenance standards for the comfort facilities available to campers.
Equipment restrictions: Campground regulations prohibit certain equipment installations. Jean C. mentions they "don't allow hammocks in the trees," which may extend to certain types of temporary horse containment systems requiring tree attachment.
Limited hookups: Only one campsite offers electrical connections. According to Jean C., "Site 20 is the only one with electric," requiring self-sufficient camping preparations for most visitors.
Seasonal operation: The park enforces a defined operating season from May 26 to September 4, with no off-season access available. This limited window requires advance planning for equestrian campers.
Playground access: The campground features a centralized recreation area. Jean C. notes "there's a small playground in the middle of the loop," providing contained activity space for younger visitors.
Geocaching opportunities: Multiple geocache locations exist within the park boundaries. Visitors should "download details for offline use as phone connection is spotty," according to Jean C., allowing for technology-assisted treasure hunting between trail rides.
Site selection for trailer parking: When traveling with both horses and children, prioritize sites with adequate clearance. Several parking pads have "overhanging branches," requiring careful navigation for larger horse trailers.
Limited site length: Most parking areas accommodate moderate-sized trailers rather than large rigs. Gary G. observed that "most sites are relatively short level pads," making the campground better suited for smaller to mid-sized horse trailers rather than extended living quarter trailers.
Shade considerations: Site 33 offers one of the better combinations of length and tree coverage. As Gary G. recommends, "We picked site 33 for the best shade and longer pad," providing a balance of protection and space.
Water and electric planning: With limited hookups, equestrian campers should plan for self-contained stays. The campground does provide basic amenities including "running water and showers, open Memorial Day to Columbus Day," according to Jean C., but requires conservation mindsets for longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Amherst Center, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Amherst Center, MA is Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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