Camping at Myles Standish

Myles Standish State Forest has close to 400 campsites in four camping areas, at Curlew Pond, Fearing Pond, Charge Pond and Barretts Pond. A basic site costs $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for out-of-state campers. Every site must be reserved through ReserveAmerica, up to four months ahead; DCR does not take walk-ins. The 2026 season ran May 7 to October 11, 2026. There are no electric or water hookups, but each loop has showers and flush toilets.

The Four Camping Areas

DCR splits the campground into lettered areas, and ReserveAmerica lists them by pond. Pick the pond first, then the loop.

• Curlew Pond: Area K, split into two site ranges on the booking site.
• Fearing Pond: Areas H and I, near the forest's CCC log bathhouse and a large day-use lot.
• Charge Pond: Areas A, B (north and south), C, D, E and F. Area C is only for people camping with their horses.
• Barretts Pond: Area J, with back-in sites for RVs and trailers up to 25 feet and standard sites up to 20 feet.

DCR describes the sites as tucked into the forest or set along the edges of the larger ponds. On-site parking is available at most campsites.

What Each Campsite Has

Each campsite comes with a picnic table and a fire ring. Every camping loop has a bathroom building with showers and flush toilets. ReserveAmerica lists a maximum of four people for the Area J sites.

There are no hookups at any site, electric or water. RV and trailer campers can use the forest's dump station. If you need power for medical equipment, DCR's note on the yurts is worth reading: even there, it says the electrical service is not reliable enough for medical use.

Camping Fees

• Basic campsite: $17 a night for Massachusetts residents, $54 for out-of-state campers.
• Group campsite (up to 20 people): $35 a night for Massachusetts residents, $100 for others.
• Small yurt: $45 a night for Massachusetts residents, $120 for others.
• Large yurt: $55 a night for Massachusetts residents, $140 for others.
• Each reservation adds a $4.50 transaction charge that is not refunded. Changes and cancellations cost $10.

These are DCR's posted fees. Day-use parking is a separate charge with its own season; see hours and fees.

How to Reserve a Site

Book on DCR's ReserveAmerica page for Myles Standish or by phone at 1-877-422-6762. Reservations open up to four months before your arrival date. From April 1 through Labor Day, new dates open at 8 am Eastern every day. In the off season, new dates open at 9 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends.

Walk-in registration is not permitted. You can still book a site on the day you arrive, but only online and only until 2 pm. The reservation must be in the name of the person who will be staying on the site.

Changes, Cancellations and Late Arrivals

• Changing or cancelling costs $10. Refunds of $5 or less are not processed.
• Cancelling on the day you arrive means calling the campground. You lose the first night's fee plus the $10 charge.
• If you can't arrive on your first night, call the campground. DCR holds your site until 8 am the next morning; after that it can be given to someone else and the fees are kept.
• Leaving early? Check out at the contact station.

When the Campground Is Open

DCR publishes a new schedule every year. In 2026, Myles Standish opened for camping on May 7 and the last night to camp was October 11, the night before Columbus Day. The rest of the forest stays open for day use all year.

Yurts

The forest has three yurts, which DCR describes as canvas-sided, cabin-like structures for four to six people. Inside are bunk beds, chairs and a table, with access to water. Two of the three have electricity. You bring your own bedding, linens and eating utensils.

No smoking is allowed in the yurts, and pets are not allowed in a yurt or anywhere on its site. Yurts are priced in two sizes, small and large, listed in the fees above.

Group Camping and Horse Camping

Several group campsites hold up to 20 people. For riders, Charge Pond's Area C is set aside for horse camping. Each horse site fits a trailer, has room for a corral and holds two or three horses. Only campers who bring a horse can book there, and DCR asks for Coggins papers at check-in. See horseback riding.

Firewood

Massachusetts prohibits bringing firewood or any wood products into or out of a DCR campground, so leave yours at home. Buy it at the park instead: $7 a bundle, credit card only.

Checking In

Check in at Forest Headquarters at the end of Cranberry Road in South Carver. DCR's mailing address for the campground is 194 Cranberry Road, PO Box 66, South Carver, MA 02366, and its phone is (508) 866-2526. Directions to headquarters.

Good For

• Tent and small-trailer camping close to Plymouth, with showers and swimming nearby.
• Families on bikes: the paved Camping Pond Loop links Fearing and Charge ponds with headquarters.
• Riders who want to camp with their horses.

Maybe Skip If

• You need electric or water hookups. DCR's Scusset Beach State Reservation in Sagamore has RV sites with hookups; see camping near Plymouth.
• You want to show up without a reservation. DCR does not allow walk-ins.