Equestrian camping options near Forestdale, Massachusetts extend beyond Myles Standish State Forest. The Cape Cod region features sandy soils and flat terrain that's well-suited for trail riding. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions for horse camping.
What to do
Trail riding at Charge Pond: Access miles of bridle trails at Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest where campers note "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns" according to Mike M.
Explore kettle ponds: Paddle or fish in the natural spring-fed ponds that dot the landscape. "The ponds are fed from natural springs under the ponds," mentions Kyle C., adding that "the dept. of conservation and recreation drives around several times a day in case you have any issues."
Mountain biking: Take advantage of the region's trail networks. "The bike trails through the part are great and we enjoyed them. Paved and mountain bike trails," notes Kim R., who recommends bringing a map as "the bike trails were a little confusing."
Wildlife viewing: Visit Ponkapoag Camp where you can spot wetland species. "We explored all over the bog looking for interesting species of plants and animals and found so many amazing things," says Asher K., highlighting its accessibility: "It also doesn't hurt that it's so close to Boston."
What campers like
Quiet camping loops: Many campers appreciate the secluded sites available. "We stayed in loop b south, which is really not a loop but a dead end. Very quiet, and we were the only people in the loop for a couple of days," reports Amie C. about her stay at Charge Pond.
Private wooded sites: Sweetwater Forest offers natural seclusion not far from Forestdale. Christina M. describes her experience: "We were on site B17 and it was perfect. Complete 360 privacy, well wooded, and just what was needed. Listen to the sounds of frogs at night was kinda awesome."
Dog-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated amenities. Kelly R. notes that Sweetwater Forest "has a small doggy day care where I can safely leave him and not worry. It's air conditioned and they have mellow music on."
Fishing opportunities: The region's ponds offer good fishing. "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us," shares Kim R. about her time at Charge Pond.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Massachusetts state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. Randy R. points out: "When you are sitting by the campfire, sometimes, chilling with a beer or another adult beverage is nice. Not in Massachusetts State Parks. No alcohol allowed."
Cell coverage limitations: Prepare for spotty service. "Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots," warns Desiree M. about Charge Pond camping areas.
Site conditions: Some campsites have challenging terrain. "Some sites are on slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard," mentions Desiree M., though she notes there are "nice pond views."
Bathroom facilities: Ponkapoag Camp offers very rustic facilities. "It is rustic camping, no water or electricity and the bathroom is an outhouse and no showers," explains Stacy, adding that despite this, "The people are friendly and we have always had a good time."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor activities for rainy days: Look for campgrounds with indoor facilities. At Ponkapoag Camp, "The kids can hang out in the clubhouse if it's raining or swim in the pond if it's hot," says Stacy, noting there are also "Lots of hiking trails."
Playground options: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive recreation facilities. "4 pools, fishing pond, lodge, trivia night, soccer, baseball, softball and frisbee golf and so much more," enthuses Jennifer H., calling it "the kind of place summer camping trip memories are made of."
Beach access: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas. "The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse," notes Kim R., providing convenient water access for families.
Multiple pools: Facilities with various swimming options keep kids entertained. "They have an adult only pool and other pools for both adults and kids," mentions Sandie B. about Normandy Farms, adding that they have "multiple activities for adults and children."
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. "Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy," reports Amie C. about Charge Pond sites.
Full hookup availability: Sweetwater Forest offers complete services. "We stayed on site A-31 for 3 nights with full hookup while we checked out Cape Cod," says Kristine B., noting it's "a little dusty because of the sand lot and roads."
Campsite selection: RVers should consider which camping loops best suit their needs. Paul H. advises: "C loop sites our favorite, but really not a terrible site in the place, depending on what you camp in. Only drawbacks are that there are limited full hookup big rig sites, and they book up in advance."
Bathroom access: Some loops have better facilities than others. "Each loop has one bathhouse. Ours, unfortunately, did not have hot water. We were told if we wanted it, we could go to any of the other loops," shares Kim R. about her Charge Pond experience.
Traveler
