Myles Standish State Forest encompasses 12,000 acres of woodland near Halifax, Massachusetts, with terrain characterized by pine forests, kettle ponds, and cranberry bogs. The forest's network of bridle paths features relatively flat trails with firm ground, providing options for both day rides and extended excursions for equestrian campers. The campground operates from mid-May through late September with temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F during peak season.
What to do
Pond swimming and fishing: Charge Pond at Myles Standish State Forest offers swimming and fishing opportunities. "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds," notes camper Kyle C. The kettle ponds are stocked with fish, as one reviewer observed, "We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us."
Mountain biking: Several miles of bike trails run throughout Myles Standish State Forest with varying difficulty levels. "The bike trails through the part are great and we enjoyed them. Paved and mountain bike trails," shares Kim R. Take a map when exploring as "the bike trails were a little confusing."
Cape Cod day trips: The forest's location makes it convenient for excursions to nearby attractions. "Myles Standish State Park is located just this side of the Cape Cod canal so your not actually 'on the cape'. The park is a great staging area for day trips to Plymouth and all its history as well as being and easy bike ride to the upper cape," explains Joe B.
Road cycling: The relatively flat terrain around the forest creates excellent opportunities for road cyclists. "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns," says Mike M. about Normandy Farms Campground, which offers convenient access to regional cycling routes.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the ample space at campsites near Halifax. "Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy," notes Amie C. about Myles Standish State Forest. The forest's layout creates a sense of seclusion despite being a large campground.
Clean facilities: Normandy Farms Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "Bathrooms are best of any campground. Highly recommend," says Matt T. Another camper adds, "It is beautiful, manicured, has a number of pools and a rec hall filled with things to do."
Quiet atmosphere: For those seeking peace, Sweetwater Forest offers a tranquil setting. "This was the quietest campground during 'quiet hours' that I've ever visited. Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent," reports Grace M. The campground's wooded setting contributes to its peaceful ambiance.
Natural surroundings: The region's natural environment is a significant draw for horseback riders and other campers. "This camping experience was fantastic. We have been here 3 times and will be back. Has everything you could want," shares Gale S. The combination of forests, ponds, and trails creates diverse riding opportunities for equestrians.
What you should know
Alcohol regulations: State parks in Massachusetts have restrictions on alcohol consumption. "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," advises Randy R. about Myles Standish State Forest. Private campgrounds like Normandy Farms do permit alcohol.
Varying crowd levels: Campground occupancy fluctuates dramatically between weekends and weekdays. "The one thing you may notice is that 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," observes Kyle C.
Water access: Not all equestrian campsites have immediate water access. Riders should plan accordingly with water containers for horses. At Ponkapoag Camp, "There is no electricity or running water. We brought all our water from home, and it worked well," explains Rita M.
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking. "Reservations are by mail only, although you can call the caretaker to confirm availability," notes Rita M. about Ponkapoag Camp. For equestrians, this is especially important as designated horse trailer parking spaces are limited.
Tips for camping with families
Kettle pond activities: The natural ponds provide excellent recreation options for families with children. "We stay at Myles Standish every June. We stay in the charge pond area which is a smaller pond but nice and clean. There are bbqs, tables and bathrooms at fhe pond," shares Stephanie B.
Rainy day options: Normandy Farms Campground offers indoor facilities for inclement weather. "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool," recommends Liz W.
Off-leash dog areas: For families camping with dogs while enjoying horse trails, dedicated pet areas are available. "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," describes Nancy W.
Multiple bathhouse locations: When camping with children, convenient bathroom access matters. "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," advises Kim R. about Myles Standish State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV campers visiting equestrian areas, choosing the right site is crucial. At Sweetwater Forest, "We were on site A-31 for 3 nights with full hookup while we checked out Cape Cod. Campground is lovely, with many trees (and birds) and close proximity to the bike trail and town of Brewster," reports Kristine B.
Horse-friendly layouts: Some campgrounds accommodate both RVs and horse trailers with specialized site designs. "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," notes Paul H. about Sweetwater Forest.
Accessibility considerations: When traveling with horses and RVs, road conditions matter. "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," shares Nancy W. about Normandy Farms.
Off-season options: Some equestrian camping areas operate year-round. "Feels like Vermont yet 20 minutes from Downtown Boston. Spending Friday & Saturday in one of the cabins (w/woodstove) is deal for a winter weekend adventure!" suggests Stu L. about Ponkapoag Camp, providing options for winter horse trail access.
