Equestrian camping options within 50 miles of Lebanon, Maine are concentrated in neighboring New Hampshire. Situated in the southern Maine highlands, this region features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with most facilities operating from May through October when temperatures typically range from 45°F to 85°F.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: Gunstock Campground provides direct access to numerous hiking paths. According to Carolyn S., "This campground has nothing to do, or plenty you can do - walking, hiking, biking, and close access to all Gunstock's adventures." The mountain offers trails of varying difficulties with elevation gains between 500-1,400 feet.
Golf during your stay: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with golfing on its 1,300-acre property. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc.," notes Christy C. Green fees range from $25-45 depending on number of holes and weekend/weekday rates.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming and fishing opportunities. Shawn C. mentions that Hidden Valley has "Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house." Many campers bring their own kayaks or canoes to use on nearby lakes and ponds, with rentals available at some locations during summer months.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded sites: At Gunstock Campground, certain areas provide more seclusion than others. Ryan F. shares, "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet." For those seeking more isolation, campers recommend specific areas: "I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?) and then I believe sites 203 and 205 were nice and tucked away in the trees as well."
Hospitality and assistance: The family-oriented management at regional campgrounds receives consistent praise. At Ramblewood Cabins and Campground, Anne G. reports they "really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" Similarly, Christy describes how Hidden Valley's owners went above and beyond: "Our generator was down and we needed to pick up our friend at the airport. Lauri loaned us her minivan to go to the airport and Drew loaned us some tools to work on the RV."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained amenities. Sara D. notes Gunstock has "free hot showers that are not dirty" and Christine M. adds, "The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night!" Most campgrounds in the region maintain restroom facilities that are cleaned daily.
What you should know
Site placement challenges: Some campgrounds have awkward utility placements. Carry M. explains her experience at Hidden Valley: "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds near Lebanon maintain a mix of transient and seasonal campers. Christy C. notes that at Hidden Valley, "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year. I did not see any tents there, only hard-sided units."
Equestrian considerations: While dedicated horse campgrounds near Lebanon, Maine are limited, some facilities may accommodate equestrians with advance arrangements. Most campgrounds require prior approval for temporary containment solutions. Contact each facility directly regarding their specific equestrian policies, as none advertise permanent horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Adventure amenities: Gunstock Mountain Resort offers numerous activities appealing to children. Kasey H. shares, "they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc." The mountain coaster typically operates weekends and holidays during summer, with rates around $12-15 per ride.
Playground access: Sara D. mentions that Gunstock has a "pool and playground available, camp store, bike & Segway trails." Most family-friendly campgrounds in the region maintain at least basic play equipment suitable for children aged 5-12.
Wi-Fi availability: For families with teens, internet access can be important. Christy notes at Hidden Valley, "The kids were given a lot of grace and hung out in the grill/game room area for hours on end to use the wi-fi." Connection quality varies significantly between campgrounds, with strongest signals typically available near main buildings rather than at individual sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: When booking at Gunstock Campground, Melissa B. advises, "Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs, but if tent camping you won't really have any privacy in those locations." Request wooded sites when making reservations for more separation between units.
Activity noise considerations: Some campground amenities generate noise that might disturb light sleepers. Melissa explains at Gunstock, "There is a zip line course and a metal 'slide' or coaster behind the Breezy Knolls area which can get kind of noisy between the sounds of the gear and the kids screaming. Lol. But it didn't really bother me personally."
Campground security: RVers appreciate the security measures at certain facilities. Melissa B. notes that Gunstock "is gated so you have to make sure you keep your key card with you whenever leaving in order to get back in." This provides peace of mind for those leaving equipment at their sites during day trips.
