Hours & Fees

Myles Standish State Forest is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, according to DCR, and its trails are open dawn to dusk. The campground is seasonal: in 2026 it opened May 7 and the last night to camp was October 11. College Pond's swimming area is open in summer only. DCR charged a day parking fee from May 23 to September 7 in 2026.

Daily Hours

DCR lists the forest's hours as sunrise to sunset. Its trail map says trails are open dawn to dusk, which means the same thing on the ground: be off the trails by dark. Campers with a reservation stay overnight in their camping area.

Restrooms at the back of the Interpretive Center at Forest Headquarters are open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, according to DCR's fall trip guide.

Seasons at a Glance

• Year-round: the forest, its trails and paved bike paths, and the Headquarters, Bentley Trail and East Entrance parking lots.
• Camping season: May 7 to October 11, 2026. DCR posts new dates each year. See camping.
• Summer only: the College Pond day-use area for swimming and picnicking.
• Seasonal lots: Charge Pond, the Equestrian Lot, the Fire Tower Lot, the Rocky Pond Lot and College Pond.
• Fall hunting: two Wildlife Management Areas; no hunting on Sundays. See hunting.

Fees

Day parking: $8 for Massachusetts plates and $30 for other plates, charged May 23 to September 7 in 2026. DCR's fall trip guide (2021) listed no parking fee at the headquarters lot for fall visits. Details on the parking page.

Camping: $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for others at a basic site, plus a transaction charge per reservation. Group sites and yurts cost more; full list on the camping page.

What Each Season Is Like

DCR describes Myles Standish as a four-season forest. In summer, camping, swimming, hiking, biking and fishing are the draw. Fall is for hiking and hunting. Winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Spring is for hiking, stargazing and birdwatching. DCR also runs guided hikes, cranberry bog tours and a fishing derby during the year.

Some paved forest roads are not maintained for winter travel; DCR's map marks which are. Snowmobiles are the only motor vehicles allowed on the unpaved roads and trails.

When Camping Reservations Open

You can book up to four months before arrival. From April 1 through Labor Day, new dates release at 8 am Eastern every day; in the off season, at 9 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends.