Myles Standish State Forest provides comprehensive equestrian camping near North Falmouth, Massachusetts, with specific accommodations at Charge Pond Campground. Located in Plymouth County, the forest sits on sandy, glacial soils at elevations ranging from 100-200 feet above sea level. The forest spans over 12,000 acres with a network of fire roads and dedicated bridle paths that remain accessible for riders through most seasons, including spring and fall when temperatures range from 45-70°F.
What to do
Trail biking paths: The extensive paved and mountain biking paths throughout Myles Standish State Forest connect to various sections of the property. "The bike trails through the part are great and we enjoyed them. Paved and mountain bike trails. The map they give you at check in isn't very good - hard to read and a little blurry. We picked up a nice printed, folded map at the visitor's center in town," notes Kim R.
Fishing opportunities: The kettle ponds within the forest offer productive fishing spots. "We also enjoyed the various kettle ponds. We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us," shares Kim R. The spring-fed ponds maintain clear water quality throughout the camping season.
Cape Cod day trips: Using the forest as a base camp allows for easy access 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.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Visitors appreciate the privacy between sites at Sweetwater Forest near Brewster. "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," writes Christina M. The forest camping atmosphere provides a natural setting with ample space between neighbors.
Spacious camping loops: The campground layout at Myles Standish creates distinct camping neighborhoods. "The lower part of the camp ground is set up in different loops. While this is a large campground, it didn't feel that large as the loop probably had 50 sites," explains Kim R. This design helps minimize crowding even during busy periods.
Wildlife encounters: The natural settings allow for animal observation opportunities. "The tent area is in a woodsy hollow full of birds and interesting wildlife," writes Domenico B. about Sweetwater Forest. Many campers report hearing frogs and seeing birds throughout their stays.
What you should know
Alcohol regulations: Massachusetts state parks have specific rules about 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," notes Randy R. about Myles Standish State Forest. Private campgrounds like Sweetwater Forest do permit alcohol consumption.
Bathroom facilities vary: Some camping areas have limited amenities. "The bathrooms had two showers and three stalls, two sinks. There were at least three outlets in the women's room which was convenient for a quick cell phone charge," reports Kim R. about Charge Pond, while Ponkapoag Camp offers more rustic facilities: "It is rustic camping, no water or electricity and the bathroom is an outhouse and no showers," explains stacy.
Seasonal crowd patterns: Weekends can be significantly busier than weekdays. "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity, like it was when we stayed. But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves," shares kyle C.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive activities for children. "Family friendly. Staff is nice. Campsites are big and well spaced. Bathrooms are best of any campground," shares Matt T. The campground features four swimming pools, sports facilities, and organized activities.
Pond access: Water activities provide entertainment for children. "The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse," notes Kim R., making it ideal for families wanting swimming options beyond horse riding trails.
Multiple playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "The campgrounds themselves are really nice, but 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," explains kyle C. about the variety of camping environments available.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Normandy Farms Campground, RVers have multiple hookup options. "There are plenty of sites to choose from the 'premium' full hook-up (50 amp) to basic with just water and electric and many others in between. Both back-in and pull thrus are available as are sites with shade and full sun," advises Nancy W.
Cape access convenience: Positioning your RV near key attractions can reduce driving times. "We stayed 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," shares Kristine B. about camping at Sweetwater Forest.
Site surface considerations: The terrain affects comfort for longer stays. "A little dusty because of the sand lot and roads," notes Kristine B. about Sweetwater Forest. Some RV sites feature paved pads while others are primarily gravel or dirt surfaces, which impacts leveling and outdoor living space.
