Myles Standish State Forest in South Carver, Massachusetts offers equestrian camping with specific sites accommodating horses. The 15,000-acre forest contains dedicated horse trails throughout the property, making it accessible for riders seeking multiple day excursions. Campsites in the forest provide reasonable space between neighbors with picnic tables and fire rings at each location. The campground includes multiple pond access points where horses can cool off during summer months. Separate equestrian sites help maintain a peaceful environment for both riders and other campers. Some of the fondest visitor memories include seeing horses out on the trails while enjoying the pine-scented environment.
Located approximately 30 miles from Woods Hole, Myles Standish State Forest provides multiple trail options for various riding experiences. The forest features extensive scrub pine forests and cranberry bogs that can be explored year-round on horseback. Riders access several miles of maintained trails directly from the campground, with both wooded paths and open terrain available. Water access points are distributed throughout the property for horses needing hydration during longer rides. The campground operates from mid-May through late September, requiring reservations especially during weekend periods when the facility reaches capacity. Weekdays typically offer more solitude for riders seeking a quieter experience. The central location provides convenient access to Plymouth's amenities while maintaining a natural forest setting ideal for horse camping adventures.
"My home away from home, I have been going to Myles Standish state forest to camp swim and critter catch since I was a little girl. Some of my fondest memories were made here."
"Trails can be used summer and winter.it also has many equestrian sites."
from $17 - $35 / night
"Walking my dog late at night or early in the morning was absolutely silent. The camp store was well stocked and offered hot coffee and a variety of grocery items."
"There is also a horse farm in the front of the grounds. The bike trails are a short ride away as well."
"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Not knowing how long we would be away from the campground that service was a great option. "
from $50 - $200 / night
ScoutAmazing amenities and activities here. Staff is great. Lots of room for big rigs. Tent spots are shady while other ones are sunnier. They have rentals such as log cabins/ A-frames to rent also. Hot tubs and pools too!
GuideThis property is huge and the staff is very accommodating. Restrooms with showers are clean. And there is a pickleball court!
GuideI can understand why this place is rated one of the best campgrounds in the country. This was my first time camping here with my own RV and it did not disappoint. Our site was spacious, and centrally located within the campground, they have all the amenities you can imagine living up to that “resort” title. Ranging from multiple pools, hot tubs, courts, pavilions, playgrounds, etc. the cell service was great, they offer WiFi, and much more. I love the store, it gives off that Great Wolf Lodge feel, and it has everything inside you may need. Including a little hidden café that surprisingly made good lattes. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen a campground that had as many million dollar RV’s in one place. That atmosphere is just great here. There is so much to do. It’s so big you need an e-bike just to get around. Resort-style campgrounds like this come at a steeper price compared to others, but in my opinion, Normandy was well worth the cost. We look forward to revisiting, often!
TravelerWe came in the day after Labor Day ~ after 280 rv’s checked out ~ so it may not have been as peaceful over the weekend, but I heard everyone had lots of fun. The grounds are beautiful!
GuideI've been three times, twice with a tent and once with a trailer, I highly recommend it.
Scoutno laundry or swimming other than that very beautiful
ScoutMe and my girl spent 2 weeks and had an amazing time the people are friendly they dont bother you about drinking only problem was the cell service is trash out ghere
ScoutKnow what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it,$20 for her and$20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!
LegendWe were here a couple years ago and told everyone we knew about it in the PNW never knowing if our big road trips would have us near Foxboro again. Imagine our surprise and delight when our quest to hit all the MLB parks showed Normandy as proximal to Fenway. Yahoo! Red Sox win and we get to be here again. Kids and adults alike love it. What’s not to love. It’s the kind of place summer camping trip memories are made of. 4 pools, fishing pond, lodge, trivia night, soccer, baseball, softball and frisbee golf and so much more. Full hook ups. Super long sites.
Myles Standish State Forest in South Carver spans 15,000 acres of pine forest and kettle ponds located about 30 miles from Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The forest contains several campground areas with differing amenities for equestrian campers, tent campers, and RVers. Sites in most camping loops lack hookups and maintain moderate privacy with pine trees and underbrush between neighboring campsites.
Pond swimming and cooling off: Myles Standish State Forest offers several pond options for swimming during summer stays. Charge Pond has "bbqs, tables and bathrooms at the pond" and maintains "very clear" water "fed from natural springs under the ponds," according to visitors Kyle C. and Stephanie B.
Biking from campsite: The forest contains extensive paved and unpaved bike trails. Mike M. notes it's a "great camping spot to road ride from" with "good access to surrounding New England towns." Maps can be obtained at the visitor center in town rather than relying on campground maps which some visitors report as "hard to read and a little blurry."
Day trips to Boston area: Normandy Farms Campground provides a strategic base for exploring Boston attractions. Nancy W. explains: "Normandy Farms is approximately 35 miles from Boston. If you don't want to drive to the city, you can park at the nearby train or subway station and ride into the city."
Private, wooded sites: Sweetwater Forest in Brewster offers secluded campsites with natural barriers. Christina M. appreciated her experience: "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."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently rate Normandy Farms' maintenance highly. Matt T. states the "bathrooms are best of any campground" while the entire property is described as "beautiful, manicured" with "immaculate" campsites by SANDIE B.
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude during equestrian camping near Woods Hole, weekdays provide better opportunities. Kyle C. observed at Myles Standish: "The Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Alcohol regulations: Massachusetts state parks have restrictions on alcohol consumption. Randy R. notes at Myles Standish: "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."
Limited cell service: Mobile phone coverage varies significantly across campgrounds near Woods Hole. At Myles Standish, Desiree M. reports "Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots," which can impact navigation and communication.
Site conditions vary by loop: Charge Pond Campground features several distinct camping areas with different characteristics. Katie D. describes it as having "multiple loops with different features" and mentions sites are "no electric, one water spout per every few sites." Some sites may have "slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard."
Recreation options: Sweetwater Forest provides multiple options for children. Kelly R. explains they have "a lot of things for kids to do. There's an arcade, playground, basketball court and arcade." The property also features a small pond for fishing and a horse farm adjacent to the property.
Designated swimming areas: Pond swimming provides relief during hot summer days. Normandy Farms offers "four pools (include an indoor heated one)" according to Nancy W., while Myles Standish provides pond access with sandy beaches and bathhouses at locations like Charge Pond.
Low-cost alternatives: When planning equestrian camping excursions near Woods Hole, state parks offer economical options. Stephanie B. notes Myles Standish provides "great camping at reasonable prices" though sites "don't have water or electric."
Hookup availability: RV campers should note varying levels of service. At Myles Standish, Joe B. explains: "The park itself is quite large and has several distinct campgrounds within it," though most lack full hookups. For full-service options, Sweetwater Forest offers "site A-31 for 3 nights with full hookup" as mentioned by Kristine B.
Navigation concerns: Large campgrounds require careful planning for arrival. Nancy W. notes that at Normandy Farms "roads are paved and plenty wide enough for big RV's to navigate" while at Myles Standish, Joe B. indicates the "fees are reasonable and in line with other state parks."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds without sewer connections provide dump stations. SANDIE B. explains that at Normandy Farms, "some sites have sewer water and electric and some no sewer but there are dump stations around the campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Woods Hole, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Woods Hole, MA is Charge Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Woods Hole, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Woods Hole, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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