Equestrian camping near Saunderstown, Rhode Island sits within the moderately forested coastal plain of southern New England. The region maintains average summer temperatures between 75-85°F and experiences frequent coastal breezes. Trail access for horses varies significantly between dedicated equestrian campgrounds and multi-use facilities, with most locations requiring advance planning for trailer parking.
What to do
Trail riding loops: At Frog Hollow Horse Camp in Pachaug State Forest, horseback riders can access three dedicated riding loops directly from the campground. According to one camper, "Three horseback riding loops leave from the campground. There's also fishing and hiking available in the forest."
Explore state forests: Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers hiking trails adjacent to camping areas. A visitor notes, "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 as phone connection is spotty), a swimming pond, and a small brook with an old mill and blacksmith shop."
Water activities: Charge Pond Campground in Myles Standish State Forest provides multiple kettle ponds for kayaking. One camper reports, "We also enjoyed the various kettle ponds. We kayaked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us."
Road cycling: Myles Standish State Forest features both paved and mountain bike trails. A reviewer shared, "Great camping spot to road ride from. Nice park. Good access to surrounding new England towns."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many equestrian campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Wolf Den Campground, "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."
Clean swimming areas: Natural water features receive high marks from campers. One visitor to Myles Standish noted, "The pond water was very clear, seeing as they are fed from natural springs under the ponds."
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude with their horses, timing matters. A camper observed, "The one thing you may notice is that if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity... But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Limited noise pollution: Many horseback riders appreciate the calm atmosphere. At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, one camper reported, "No other campers here when we arrived, so totally silent. No road noise."
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Normandy Farms Campground permits alcohol consumption, but some state parks do not. One visitor to Myles Standish noted, "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."
First-come availability: At Frog Hollow Horse Camp, the equestrian camping operates without reservations. A camper noted, "About half the sites were occupied in late October."
Site conditions vary: Terrain can challenge tent setup in some locations. One camper mentioned, "Some sites are on slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard."
Cell coverage limitations: Connectivity remains spotty across many campgrounds. A visitor reported, "Cell coverage is iffy in a lot of spots."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: The Preserve Club and Residences offers extensive facilities for families with children who enjoy equestrian activities. A member notes it's "New England's most amenity rich properties, in fact it may be the only place in the world that has such a diverse amount of outdoor offerings."
Geocaching opportunities: Several parks near Saunderstown offer geocaching. At Mashamoquet Brook State Park, visitors can "download details for offline use as phone connection is spotty."
Star-gazing: Open areas at Wolf Den Campground provide excellent night sky viewing. A visitor mentioned the "Large open areas for kids and adults to play during day and star gaze at night."
Holiday-themed events: Many campgrounds offer seasonal activities. At Normandy Farms, a family mentioned, "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween 🎃. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area in Arcadia Management Area provides electrical service options for equestrian campers with travel trailers. The facility offers both 30-amp and 50-amp connections with water hookups.
Pad types: Different campgrounds offer various parking surfaces. Wolf Den Campground features "paved and a few have overhanging branches," while others may be gravel or natural surfaces.
Limited site length: Equestrian camping often requires space for both living quarters and horse trailers. At Mashamoquet Brook, a camper noted, "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."
Weekend congestion: RVers should plan for busier conditions on weekends. One camper at Myles Standish observed, "I was surprised that it was fairly quite and not busier on a holiday weekend. We felt most people respected quiet hours and there were even empty sites in our loop."
