Myles Standish State Forest —
Your Complete Guide
Over 12,400 acres of pitch pine, scrub oak and kettle ponds in Plymouth and Carver. Camping at four ponds, a summer swimming beach, and miles of trail and paved bike path.
What is Myles Standish State Forest?
Myles Standish State Forest is a state forest of over 12,400 acres in Plymouth and Carver, Massachusetts, run by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).DCR calls it the largest public open space in southeastern Massachusetts. It has close to 400 campsites set around four ponds, a summer swimming area at College Pond, 13 miles of hiking trails, about 15 miles of paved bike path and 35 miles of equestrian trails. The forest is open sunrise to sunset.
The land was protected in 1916. The Civilian Conservation Corps built much of what visitors use today in the 1930s, including the fire roads and campgrounds. Most of the forest is pitch pine and scrub oak on dry, sandy soil left by the glaciers, the habitat known as the Pine Barrens. DCR counts 58 kettle ponds inside its borders.
Myles Standish State Forest at a Glance
What to Do at Myles Standish
Summer is camping and swimming; fall is hiking and hunting; winter brings cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, according to DCR's trail map.
Camping
close to 400 campsites in four areas at Curlew, Fearing, Charge and Barrett ponds, plus yurts and group sites. Reserve ahead; DCR takes no walk-ins.
Camping Guide →Swimming at College Pond
College Pond's day-use area is where day visitors swim in summer, with a bathhouse, picnic tables and a paid lot.
Swimming Guide →Paved Bike Paths
About 15 miles of paved path through the pines. DCR's three suggested rides run from an easy 6.25-mile pond loop to an 11-mile round trip.
Bike Routes →Hiking Trails
13 miles of hiking trails, from the easy loop around East Head Reservoir to the 8-mile Pine Barrens Path.
Hiking Guide →Horseback Riding
35 miles of equestrian trails, an equestrian lot near Barrett Pond, and a camping loop at Charge Pond kept for riders and their horses.
Riding Guide →Ponds & Fishing
58 kettle ponds left by the glaciers. Fearing Pond is stocked with trout in spring and fall.
Pond Guide →Start at Headquarters
Forest headquarters on Cranberry Road in South Carver is where campers check in. The building holds the Interpretive Center, restrooms open 8 am to 4 pm, and the trailheads for the East Head Reservoir loop and the paved bike path system. DCR's fall trip guide (2021) listed no parking fee at the headquarters lot for fall visits. Parking and directions.
The Four Camping Ponds
DCR's campground is not one place. It is four separate areas tucked into the woods or along the shore: Curlew Pond (Area K), Fearing Pond (Areas H and I), Charge Pond (Areas A to F, including a loop for people camping with horses) and Barretts Pond (Area J). There are no hookups anywhere in the forest, but there are showers and flush toilets in every loop and a dump station for trailers. Each pond has its own page: Curlew, Fearing,Charge and Barrett.
A Forest Shaped by Fire and Ice
The sandy soil here holds little water and burns easily. DCR's maps describe a landscape of frost pockets, kettle ponds and scrub oak, and call the forest's Pine Barrens the third largest in the world. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage program has documented 42 rare and endangered species in the forest, the most for any state property. DCR uses prescribed fire to keep that habitat healthy, so you may see recently burned ground. More on the Pine Barrens.
When to Go
Summer is camping season. Fall brings hunting to the two Wildlife Management Areas inside the forest, so wear blaze orange on the trails then, and remember there is no hunting on Sundays.Plan your visit.
How to Get to Myles Standish State Forest
Headquarters is at the end of Cranberry Road in South Carver. The east side of the forest is reached from Long Pond Road in Plymouth.
From Route 495
DCR's directions: take Route 495 to Route 58, follow Route 58 north and Tremont Street, then turn right onto Cranberry Road. Headquarters is at the end of the road. Full directions.
From Route 3
From Boston or Cape Cod, take Route 3 to Long Pond Road in Plymouth. The forest entrance is about 3 to 4 miles along Long Pond Road; follow signs to Headquarters.
Forest Headquarters
194 Cranberry Rd., Carver, MA 02330. Phone (508) 866-2526. Camping check-in and the Interpretive Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Myles Standish State Forest free?
Entry is free. DCR charges a daily parking fee from May 23 to September 7 (2026 dates): $8 for cars with Massachusetts plates and $30 for other plates. DCR's 2021 fall trip guide listed no parking fee at the headquarters lot for fall visits.
Where is Myles Standish State Forest?
In Plymouth and Carver, in southeastern Massachusetts. Forest headquarters is at 194 Cranberry Rd., Carver, MA 02330. The forest also has an east entrance on Long Pond Road in Plymouth.
Can you camp at Myles Standish?
Yes. DCR runs close to 400 campsites in four areas, at Curlew, Fearing, Charge and Barrett ponds. Basic sites cost $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for others. The 2026 season ran May 7 to October 11, 2026. Reservations go through ReserveAmerica; walk-ins are not allowed.
Can you swim at Myles Standish?
Yes. DCR points day visitors to College Pond, where a seasonal day-use area has a bathhouse, restrooms, picnic tables and a paid parking lot. DCR lists it as a summer area.
Are dogs allowed at Myles Standish?
Yes, on a leash. DCR's trail map says dogs, except hunting dogs, must be leashed and under control at all times, and its trip guide sets a 10-foot maximum leash. Pets are not allowed in the yurts or on their sites.
How big is Myles Standish?
Over 12,400 acres. DCR calls it the largest public open space in southeastern Massachusetts, and it has been protected since 1916.