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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
Traveler
