Myles Standish State Forest sits on over 12,000 acres of protected land about 15 miles from Sandwich, Massachusetts, with mostly flat terrain that's ideal for equestrian activities. The forest contains multiple ponds formed by glacial kettles, with sandy soil and pine forests dominating the landscape. Camping facilities operate seasonally from mid-May through late September, with several designated camping areas catering to different visitor needs.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Myles Standish State Forest offers an extensive network of trails suitable for riders of various experience levels. Mike M. notes, "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding New England towns."
Swimming in kettle ponds: The forest features multiple spring-fed ponds with clear water. Katie D. mentions, "Swimming, fishing, camping, hiking, trails, boating and more await. Forest staff are so nice, extremely helpful, and take any issues seriously."
Biking nearby: Sweetwater Forest in Brewster provides easy access to Cape Cod's popular bike trails. Kristine B. reports, "Campground is lovely, with many trees (and birds) and close proximity to the bike trail and town of Brewster."
Historic exploration: Many campers use Myles Standish as a base for exploring nearby Plymouth's historic attractions. Joe B. explains, "The park is a great staging area for day trips to Plymouth and all its history as well as being an easy bike ride to the upper cape."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at Myles Standish. Amie C. shares, "Sites are nice and level and large. Vegetation between sites for privacy."
Pet-friendly atmosphere: Normandy Farms Campground offers excellent facilities for travelers with pets. Grace M. notes, "Sweetwater Forest has pleasant, secluded sites. 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."
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking a less crowded experience, timing matters. Kyle C. observes, "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."
Proximity to Cape Cod: Campers value Myles Standish's strategic location for exploring both Plymouth and Cape Cod. Randy R. mentions, "The place has nice level sites and close to the Cape."
What you should know
No alcohol policy: 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."
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness can be inconsistent. Desiree M. notes, "Bathrooms were not cleaned during our stay but it was nice to have bathroom stalls and showers. Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots."
Limited water access: Ponkapoag Camp reminds visitors about water limitations common in the area. Rita M. cautions, "THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER. We brought all our water from home, and it worked well."
Seasonal considerations: The best time for equestrian camping near Sandwich is during the summer months. Stephanie B. mentions, "We stay at Myles Standish every June. We stay in the charge pond area which is a smaller pond but nice and clean."
Tips for camping with families
Campground loops affect experience: Different camping areas offer varying amenities. Kim R. advises, "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 and it was much nicer and easier to read the trails."
Pond activities: Sweetwater Forest provides water-based recreation options. Domenico B. shares, "This isn't a camping resort but they have clean restrooms and a game room with a pool table, puzzles, and board games. Plus multiple playgrounds and a pond that's good for boating but not swimming."
Winter cabin options: For off-season equestrian activities, some facilities offer year-round accommodations. Stu L. recommends, "Spending Friday & Saturday in one of the cabins (w/woodstove) is deal for a winter weekend adventure!"
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on your specific needs. Desiree M. notes, "Some sites are on slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard. Some nice pond views."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Normandy Farms Campground offers comprehensive RV services. Nancy W. explains, "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."
Seasonal access: RV facilities typically have limited seasonal availability. Paul H. notes, "Only drawbacks are that there are limited full hookup big rig sites, and they book up in advance; also water view sites down at the pond also book up in advance."
Size considerations: Some campgrounds have restrictions for larger rigs. Christina M. advises, "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."
