Charge Pond

Charge Pond is the largest camping area in Myles Standish State Forest, with seven loops lettered A through F: standard and RV sites with 30-foot back-ins, a tent-only loop, five group sites, and Area C, the forest's horse camping loop. A reservable pavilion stands by the Charge Pond day-use area, and the 4.8-mile Charge Pond Loop Trail circles the campgrounds. Sites cost $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for out-of-state campers.

The Charge Pond Camping Loops

ReserveAmerica lists each Charge Pond loop separately. The counts below are from its site list in October 2026.

• Area A: about 48 standard sites, 30-foot back-in.
• Area B North: about 22 tent-only sites.
• Area B South: about 13 standard sites, 30-foot back-in.
• Area C: about 33 sites for campers with horses only, 30-foot back-in.
• Area D: five group sites for up to 20 people each, at $35 a night for Massachusetts groups and $100 for others.
• Area E: about 58 standard sites, 30-foot back-in.
• Area F: about 31 sites, 17 for RVs and trailers and 14 standard, 30-foot back-in.

Most sites allow up to four people. Like every site in the forest, they have a picnic table and fire ring, the loops have showers and flush toilets, and there are no hookups. If your trailer is longer than 25 feet, Charge Pond is the pond to look at first, since Curlew and Fearing list 25-foot or shorter back-ins.

Horse Camping in Area C

DCR sets aside Charge Pond's Area C for camping with horses. Each horse site is big enough for a trailer, has room to set up a corral, and holds two or three horses. You can only book Area C if you bring a horse, and DCR requires Coggins papers when you check in. DCR's trail map marks it as the Equestrian Campground and says riders camping there can start from camp onto the forest's network of unpaved roads and trails. See horseback riding.

The Charge Pond Pavilion

A pavilion stands by the day-use area at Charge Pond. DCR says it has electricity, grills and eight picnic tables, with parking for 60 vehicles. Reserve it on ReserveAmerica like a campsite.

DCR rents it for self-catered picnics and simple gatherings. A caterer, amplified music, a bounce house or a fundraiser needs a state parks special event permit, which has a $45 application fee that is not refunded and requires a certificate of liability insurance.

Charge Pond Loop Trail

DCR's Charge Pond Loop Trail is a 4.8-mile loop marked with blue blazes, rated moderate. It circles the Charge Pond campgrounds, passes close to them at several points and crosses a number of fire roads. The easiest access is from the parking lot on Charge Pond Road: walk a short way north on the bike path and turn onto Sasemine Way.

The 8-mile Pine Barrens Path also ends here, linking the Charge Pond Loop with the Friends' Loop on the east side of the forest. All the loops are on the hiking page.

By Bike

Charge Pond is the far end of DCR's 6.25-mile Camping Pond Loop from headquarters. After Fearing Pond, the path reaches a fork: straight on to Charge Pond by an automobile road, or right to Parking Lot 5, where the bike path picks up again for the ride back to headquarters.

Good For

• Trailers and RVs up to 30 feet.
• Riders camping with their horses.
• Group camping and family gatherings at the pavilion.

Maybe Skip If

• You want a yurt. All three are at Barretts Pond.
• You came to swim. DCR's swimming area is College Pond.