IMPORTANT: : Please note that firewood sales are by credit card only, and effective 2021, the cost of firewood is $7 per bundle. Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood or any wood products into or out of any DCR campground.

IMPORTANT : Walk-in Registrations are not permitted. Advance Reservations can be made same day up until 2 pm on date of arrival.

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Myles Standish State Forest, MA

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Photo: Myles Standish State Forest Horse Camping

Four hundred campsites are tucked into the forest or set along the edges of four of the park's many ponds. Miles of hiking, equestrian and bicycle trails lead visitors into the forest and along the ponds for fishing and swimming. This campground is a great home base for exploring ...

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Description

Geography:

Scattered throughout Myles Standish State Forest are several ecologically significant coastal plain "kettle" ponds. The shores of these ponds are extremely sensitive to trampling, so please observe the barriers and signs indicating fragile areas and respect the unique natural qualities of the park. Sprawling across the southern sections of Plymouth and Carver, Myles Standish State Forest is the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts.

Recreation:

In the summer, interpretive programs, such as pond shore walks and cranberry bog explorations help acquaint visitors with the unique natural, cultural and historic aspects of the state forest. Myles Standish offers fifteen miles of bicycle trails, 35 miles of equestrian trails and 13 miles of hiking trails take visitors deep into the forest, which includes one of the largest contiguous pitch pine/scrub oak communities north of Long Island. There is also a day-use area at College Pond (summers only) that offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, and canoeing.

Hunting is permitted at Myles Standish State Forest, for more information please click here

Facilities:

Myles Standish offers close to 400 campsites, equestrian camping, several group campsites that accommodate up to 20 people, and three yurts. Each campsite is equiped with a picnic table and a fire ring. Bathroom facilities with showers and flush toilets are located in each camping loop. There are NO HOOKUPS at this campground, however a dumping station is available for the convenience of our RV and trailer campers.
Yurts are canvas sided, cabin-like structures that can accommodate 4 to 6 people. Yurts offer bunk beds, chairs and tables, and access to water, and two have electricity. (Linens and eating utensils are not provided.) NOTE: Electrical service is not sufficiently reliable for use with medical equipment. There is no smoking in the yurts and pets are prohibited from yurts and the encompassing sites.

For equestrian campers, Charge Pond Loop C is set aside specifically for horse camping. Each horse site is large enough to hold a trailer and has room to set up a corral and can accommodate 2 - 3 horses. Campsites in the equestrian loop, are only available to campers who have brought their horse for the camping experience. Coggins papers are required at check-in.

A pavilion is located by the day use area in Charge Pond, has electricity and includes grills and 8 picnic tables and can accommodate 60 vehicles. WE ARE NOT YET ACCEPTING 2021 RESERVATIONS FOR THE PAVILION. The pavilion can be reserved through ReserveAmerica. Rental does not include the daily parking fee of $8 for MA residents and $30 for non-MA residents. Please be advised, the rental of this facility is generally for a self-catered picnic or simple gathering. Should you be interested in having a caterer, amplified music, a bounce house, fundraising event, etc. you will need to secure permission via a special event permit. There is a $45 non-refundable application fee, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance will be required. For more information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-state-parks-special-use-permit

Nearby Attractions:

While in the area, be sure to visit other nearby DCR properties: Myles Standish Monument, Forefathers Monument, Scusset Beach State Reservation, Pilgrim Memorial State Park and Bay Farm Conservation Area. For more information please : click here

Services & Amenities:

Within Park

Accessible
Bicycling (Mountain)
Boating (Non-Motorized)
Comfort Station
Dump Station
Fishing
Hiking

Horse Camping
Horse Trails
Interpretive Programs
Showers
Swimming
Water Drinking
Yurts

Alerts and Important Information

To insure fairness for all MA customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 4-month Maximum Window can not be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made.

The reservation must be made in the name of the primary occupant.

Horses are required while camping in the charge pond horse loop C, no exceptionsHorse sites on Charge Pond Horse Loop C are for campers bringing horses ONLY. No Exceptions. Only campers bringing horses are allowed to reserve a site in this loop. Charge Pond Horse Loop C campground is specifically geared to and designated for Equestrian campers only. This area is not available to anyone without a Horse. You must provide coggins papers & arrive with your horse at check-in. No Exceptions/No Refunds. -Group Camping: no group may reserve more than one group site at a time. Group camping rates are as follows: A $35.00 per night in state residents and a $50.00 per night out of state reservation fee will be collected at the time of reservation. This site fee covers the first 25 people of less. In an effort to provide our campers with greater access to our group sites, reservations are limited to groups of not more than 30 individuals per site, per night. Upon arrival to the park, please be prepared to provide the names of each person staying at the group site. Also, please have available the make, model, color and license plate number of each vehicle. If bringing a pet, rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. To insure fairness for all customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 6-month Maximum Window can not be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Regarding Group Camping - No group may reserve more than one group site at a time. In an effort to provide our campers with greater access to our group sites, reservations are limited to groups of not more that 20 individuals per site, per night. Upon arrival to the park, please be prepared to provide the names of each person staying at the group site. Also, please have available the make, model, color and license plate number of each vehicle. If bringing a pet, rabies certificate must be presented at check-in.

Specific to this facility:

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. NO WALK-IN CAMPING ALLOWED.

Please read the important information below, prior to making a reservation.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Massachusetts state parks and campgrounds.

Campsite Fees at Myles Standish State Forest $17 for MA resident / $54 for non-resident. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE.

Charge Pond Horse Loop C: Reserved for horse camping only, has water spigots along the loop and additional spigots at the restroom building. Coggins Test papers and your horse are required at check-in.

Massachusetts prohibits the transportation of firewood into or out of any DCR campground. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. Transportation of firewood or other wood products, may result in eviction. PLEASE NOTE THAT FIREWOOD SALES ARE BY CREDIT CARD ONLY. EFFECTIVE 2021, THE COST IS $7 PER BUNDLE.

Check-in time is 1:00 to 9:00 pm; check out by 11:00 am. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The use of generators is not permitted during quiet hours except for the purpose of operating a medical device.

Reservation and Occupancy:

Campers and/or camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Violators of the 14-day limit may have their reservation cancelled and be asked to leave the park.

Reservations must be in the name of the primary occupant, who is at least 18 years of age. A photo ID is required at check- in and must match the name on the reservation. Campsite occupancy is limited to four adults, or two adults and the children in their care. Campsites are limited to two tents, or one tent and one trailer or RV, and two vehicles maximum (including tow trailers) per site.

Reservations with departure dates outside the 4-month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made. Cancellations and changes will incur a $10 fee. Day of arrival cancellations require a phone call to the campground and will result in the loss of the first night's camping fee, plus the $10 cancellation fee. Reserved campsites will be held until 8:00 am on the day after your scheduled arrival date. If we are not contacted, your reservation will be no-showed resulting in no refund.

Camping with Pets:

Pets are permitted at most campgrounds and there is a limit of four pets per campsite. A current rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. Pets must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not permitted in state buildings or when camping in a yurt or cabin.

Notes

Charge Pond Loop C is equestrian camping only To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our campers: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Massachusetts State campgrounds. Pets are welcome in most campgrounds, but please keep them restrained, clean up after them and prevent them from disturbing others. If bringing a pet, rabies certificate must be presented at check-in. Respect the 14-day camping limit. To ensure that many campers enjoy our parks, campers and camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Don't overcrowd your campsite. Please limit site occupancy to four people or one family (parents and children 17 or under). Please limit site equipment to two tents or one trailer (or RV) and one tent. Also, please no more than two vehicles per campsite. Massachusetts law requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet when bicycling. The MA DCR encourages all cyclists to wear a helmet and cycle safely. Check-in time is 1:00 PM; Check out time is 11:00 AM. To insure fairness for all MA customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 6-month Maximum Window can not be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made. Don't overcrowd your campsite. Please limit site occupancy to 2 adults and their children under the age of 18 living at home. Or 4 adults only 18 and over to a site.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

Myles Standish State Forest
Cranberry Road PO Box 66
SOUTH CARVER MA 02366

Phone Number:

Information: (508)866-2526