2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook State Park provides horse-friendly camping from May 26 to September 4 annually. Located in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, this established campground offers basic campsites with water and shower facilities. The camping area features 35 sites with paved parking pads, fire rings with grills, and picnic tables. Site 20 is the only campsite with electrical hookup available. While the campground does permit horses, it lacks dedicated horse corrals. The sites toward the back of the camping loop provide more privacy as they back up to wooded areas, creating additional space for setting up horse containment systems. Sites have open areas behind them suitable for temporary horse management.
The campground connects to multiple hiking trails that can accommodate horses with proper management. Most sites have relatively short level pads with limited shade, though site 33 offers better shade coverage and a longer pad suitable for horse trailers. Mashamoquet Brook State Park includes a small brook, an old mill, and a blacksmith shop sometimes open for weekend tours. The park prohibits hammocks in trees and does not allow pets, which may affect some equestrian campers' plans. The campground's silent environment with no road noise creates a peaceful atmosphere for both riders and horses. Reservation requirements should be verified in advance, as the park implemented restrictions during 2020 that may affect visitor policies.
"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 $20 - $50 / night
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.
Wolf Den Campground at Mashamoquet Brook State Park welcomes equestrian campers from late May to early September. The campground contains 35 sites with paved parking areas suitable for horse trailers. Located in northeastern Connecticut, approximately 40 miles from Hardwick, Massachusetts, this facility offers horse-friendly sites with sufficient space behind many campsites for temporary containment systems. Water facilities and shower amenities are available for campers.
Explore hiking trails: Mashamoquet Brook State Park connects to multiple hiking paths accessible from Wolf Den Campground. Trails vary in difficulty, with options for equestrians. According to one visitor: "One of my all time favorite hikes" (Mike C.).
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights provide excellent astronomical viewing conditions due to minimal light pollution. As noted by a recent camper: "Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night" (175 P.).
Visit historical structures: The park contains an old mill and blacksmith shop that occasionally opens for weekend tours. Geocaching opportunities exist throughout the park, though downloading cache details beforehand is recommended due to spotty cell service.
Peaceful environment: The campground's secluded setting eliminates road noise, creating a tranquil atmosphere for both humans and horses. A visitor confirmed: "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" (Gary G.).
Spacious sites: Campsites feature open areas behind the primary camping space, providing room for horses and equipment. One camper observed: "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" (Jean C.).
Clean facilities: The campground maintains sanitary conditions in all public areas. A recent camper noted: "Bathrooms were clean and staff were friendly. Would definitely stay again" (175 P.).
Reservation requirements: All campsites require advance booking, particularly during peak season. Availability may be limited due to the campground's popularity among equestrian campers.
Site selection considerations: Sites toward the rear of the camping loop provide greater privacy as they back up to wooded areas, creating additional space for horse containment. Site 33 offers better shade coverage and a longer pad suitable for horse trailers.
Facility restrictions: The park prohibits hammocks in trees and does not allow pets, which may affect some equestrian campers' plans. Site 20 is the only campsite with electrical hookup available.
Playground access: A small playground located in the center of the camping loop provides recreation opportunities for children. One camper mentioned: "Close to a small walking path and a larger intermediate hiking trail" (175 P.).
Varied hiking options: Trails suitable for different age groups and ability levels connect directly to the campground. A visitor noted: "Son and I stayed from Friday to Sunday. Easy to find the camp and the plot, well marked" (175 P.).
Educational opportunities: The historical structures within the park offer learning experiences for children interested in early American crafts and industry. Weekend tours of the blacksmith shop can provide hands-on historical education when available.
Limited hookup availability: Only one site (number 20) offers electrical connections. Water hookups are accessible throughout the campground, but dedicated RV services are minimal.
Pad dimensions: Most sites have relatively short level pads with limited overhead clearance. As one RVer noted: "We picked site 33 for the best shade and longer pad" (Gary G.).
Season considerations: The campground operates seasonally from May 26 to September 4, requiring advance planning for equestrian campers seeking horse campgrounds near Hardwick, Massachusetts during this limited window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hardwick, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hardwick, MA is Wolf Den Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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