Barrett Pond

Barrett Pond, listed as Barretts Pond on DCR's booking site, is one of the four camping ponds in Myles Standish State Forest. Its campground, Area J, has about 55 listed sites: RV and trailer sites with 25-foot back-ins, standard sites with 20-foot back-ins, and all three of the forest's yurts. DCR's trail map also puts the forest's equestrian parking lot near Barrett Pond. Campsites cost $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for others; yurts cost more.

Camping in Area J

ReserveAmerica's list for Barretts Pond Area J shows about 20 sites for RVs and trailers, each with a 25-foot back-in space, and about 32 standard sites with 20-foot back-ins. Each campsite allows up to four people and has a picnic table and fire ring. As everywhere in the forest, there are no hookups, and the loop has showers and flush toilets.

Area J site numbers start with J (J001, J003 and so on), so a site number tells you which pond you booked. Fees and booking rules are on the camping page.

The Yurts

All three yurts in Myles Standish are in the Barretts Pond area. DCR describes them as canvas-sided, cabin-like structures. Two are listed for four people and one for six. Inside you get bunk beds, chairs and tables, with access to water. Two of the three have electricity, though DCR warns it is not reliable enough for medical equipment.

• Small yurt: $45 a night for Massachusetts residents, $120 for others.
• Large yurt: $55 a night for Massachusetts residents, $140 for others.
• Bring your own bedding, linens and eating utensils.
• No smoking inside. No pets in the yurt or on its site.

There are only three yurts in the forest. Book as soon as your dates open, up to four months out.

Riding From Barrett Pond

DCR's trail map tells riders to start from the Equestrian Parking lot near Barrett Pond, or from the horse camping loop at Charge Pond if they are camping. From there, the forest's unpaved roads and trails open up. DCR lists the equestrian lot as seasonal. See horseback riding.

Hikers meeting riders should stop, say hello and wait for the rider's instructions, as DCR's trail rules ask.

Hunting Season

Two Wildlife Management Areas inside the forest are stocked with pheasant and quail in the fall. DCR warns that the 3.6-mile Bentley Loop Trail runs through one of them, so if you walk the trails in fall, wear blaze orange. There is no hunting on Sundays. See hunting.

Good For

• Yurt stays: all three are here.
• Small trailers and RVs up to 25 feet.
• Riders who want to day-ride from the equestrian lot.

Maybe Skip If

• Your rig is over 25 feet. Charge Pond lists 30-foot back-ins.
• You want a tent-only loop. Charge Pond's Area B North is tent only.