Arcadia Management Area, spanning over 14,000 acres of woodland terrain, provides key equestrian camping options in Rhode Island's western region. Located within a 30-minute drive from Tiverton, this area experiences moderate seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Most horseback riding trails maintain packed dirt surfaces with occasional rocky sections requiring proper hoof protection.
What to do
Trail riding: Access the 15-mile North-South Trail directly from Normandy Farms Campground where "roads are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV's to navigate" according to Nancy W., who noted the campground's proximity to "Foxboro State Park where you will find 20+ miles of hiking trails."
Fishing spots: Several kettle ponds throughout the region offer fishing opportunities, particularly at Charge Pond Campground where one visitor observed "the pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds" and "enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us."
Seasonal riding events: Regional state parks host organized trail rides from April through October. Kyle C. mentions "the dept. of conservation and recreation drives around several times a day in case you have any issues" and notes that "there are several miles of bile trails that were very enjoyable."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate separation between sites at Ponkapoag Camp, with Rita M. noting "we brought all our water from home, and it worked well" and that "many cabins have wood stoves, which is great for the cooler parts of the year."
Accessibility to Boston: The region's horseback riding areas remain surprisingly close to metropolitan areas. Asher K. writes that Ponkapoag Camp is "so close to Boston" yet offers an extensive network of trails where they "explored all over the bog looking for interesting species of plants and animals."
Clean facilities: At Wolf Den Campground, campers found "bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly," with sites described as having "large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night" and being "close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most horseback riding campgrounds in the region provide basic services. At Frog Hollow Horse Camp, Jean C. noted "campsites are located around a loop with a couple of composting toilets near the entrance" and "there's space your your camping gear as well as a trailer and horseline."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds require advance booking, though policies vary by location. Some operate first-come-first-served like Frog Hollow where "about half the sites were occupied in late October," while others use mail-in reservation systems.
Water access: Natural water sources vary throughout the region. Kim R. explained at Charge Pond: "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us. The beach had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse."
Seasonal crowds: Kyle C. observed "if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity" but "the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Horseback riding campgrounds offer various family activities beyond riding. At The Preserve Club and Residences, Chris M. described it as "New England's most amenity rich properties" that "may be the only place in the world that has such a diverse amount of outdoor offerings."
Bathroom considerations: Sites with limited facilities might challenge families with young children. Rita noted at Ponkapoag that "THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER" and recommends bringing "campsuds or other eco-friendly soap since the toilets are just outhouses without running water much of the year."
Weather preparation: The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations. Rita mentioned "we were there Memorial Day weekend, and needed the stove when it dipped to 40 degrees," highlighting the importance of appropriate camping gear.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV equestrian camping near Tiverton, choose level sites that accommodate both vehicle and horse equipment. Nancy W. noted at Normandy Farms that "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."
Hookup availability: Check specific campground utility connections before arriving. Gary G. at Wolf Den Campground found "most sites are relatively short level pads, with little or no shade, but very pleasant" and recommended "site 33 for the best shade and longer pad."
Traffic patterns: Weekday camping often provides quieter experiences. Kyle C. observed "considering there are about 400 spots, you may find that some area's are more to your liking when it comes to things like more sun or more shade."
