Gunstock Campground
Gunstock Mountain
I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect. This campground has nothing to do, or plenty you can do - walking, hiking, biking, and close access to all Gunstock's adventures.
2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The limited horse camping options near Saco, Maine require equestrians to consider Freeport/Durham KOA and Gunstock Campground, though neither offers dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine facilities. Freeport/Durham KOA permits pets on its spacious, wooded sites but has no specific horse infrastructure. The campground features full hookups, clean facilities, and accommodates tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. Seasonal campers consistently note the large sites, well-maintained grounds, and family-friendly amenities like a pool, playground, and seasonal activities.
Gunstock Campground in Gilford, New Hampshire represents an alternative for horse owners within driving distance of Saco. Located at the base of Gunstock Mountain, this 250-site campground permits pets and offers drive-in access with tent, RV, and cabin options. The surrounding area provides natural terrain for limited trail riding opportunities. Campers access free hot showers, clean bathrooms, and a fenced dog park, though no specialized horse facilities exist. Sites near the brook offer more seclusion for those camping with animals, while the campground's gated access provides security. Reservations are recommended as seasonal events often fill the campground.
"The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit! (This part is NOT for the little kids). The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early."
"The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport(home to L.L."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
"Pros: Beautiful area, not a bad size campground, quiet nights (but this could be because 3 out of the 4 sites right near us were empty), free hot showers that are not dirty, lots of trails on edge of"
from $35 - $80 / night
Check AvailabilityI was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect. This campground has nothing to do, or plenty you can do - walking, hiking, biking, and close access to all Gunstock's adventures.
Pros: Beautiful area, not a bad size campground, quiet nights (but this could be because 3 out of the 4 sites right near us were empty), free hot showers that are not dirty, lots of trails on edge of the grounds, lots and lots of tent sites, platform on campsite, pool and playground available, camp store, bike & Segway trails, quick access to some of NH’s most beautiful mountains. Staff is friendly. Cons: So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it. More of the sites have very little separation from the neighboring campers near you. We explored the grounds & noted some sites that were a smidge more secluded and plan to return again sometime!
We enjoyed this campground! The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock. Wished there was a restaurant within walking distance. But not a show stopper. We will be back!
This campground overall is very nice. The camp store has most everything you could need, and the campground is gated so you have to make sure you keep your key card with you whenever leaving in order to get back in. 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. 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. 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. The wooded area back there is beautiful though so the sites definitely made up for it. Campground has a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Would definitely camp here again. I just prefer the wooded/shaded tent sites...which are limited at this place.
Fun place! The mountain coaster and chairlift were great for the little ones and the ziplines are epic! They give discounts to campers. We stayed in 255, which was really nice, wooded, and right by the creek. Site 254 next door us easily the best trailer site in the entire place. It is huge and has two levels and tons of creek frontage. These two sites are nestled in a quiet tent area. The grid RV area was not very impressive, but all of the tent sites in the woods were really cool. The open field rv area was really exposed but close to amenities. Our family stayed in the cabins and they are nicely situated for privacy. Rustic and no AC or bathrooms but clean and nice little porch. The pool was nice, two excellent playgrounds, and everything well kept. You get your own keycard for the gate. Epic views from top of mountain!
This visit we had our hybrid camper in one of the wooded sites. The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating. The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit! (This part is NOT for the little kids). The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early.
I have a love– hate relationship with KOA campgrounds. They tend to be overpriced and not consistent. You will find one that has nice sites at a decent price. Then, there are the others which are complete opposite. This KOA is on my good side. There are lots of site choices, cabins, yurts, and tent sites to choose from. The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport(home to L.L. Bean and tons of outlet stores), the pretty coastal town of South Freeport, four craft breweries and a cidery, and Bradbury Mountain State Park. The owners and work campers are very friendly and the super welcoming. Normally I am not concerned how nice people are but they go out of their way to make sure you get all the discounts you can and put you in a site that you prefer.
We have stayed here a few times and are always impressed how well-cared for the grounds are and how and clean the common areas, bathrooms, and pool are. The grass is always cut, weeds trimmed, fire pits cleaned and there is no trash lying on the ground. There are lots of seasonal sites but they are in the back portion of the park with the transients being in the front. The park has nice super long 50 amp FHU pull-thrus in the front of the park which will fit any length RV and tow vehicle. Some of these sites are “buddy” sites with a shared patio, but are so wide that even if you don’t know your neighbors, it would not be a bother because you are far enough apart. The only downside to these pull thrus is there is no shade. We tend to be there in cooler months so shade is not a problem. However, the rest of the campground has a very park-like feel with over 50 acres there is plenty of room to roam and even a short nature trail through a wooded area. Many sites backup against the woods or are in wooded areas so keep that in mind when making your reservation. We give this park two thumbs up for their dog park which is ten times the size of the average KOA dog park. My lab had plenty of room to run and chase a ball and there were never any other dogs there which was nice. Plus, it was clean and free of dog poop! Normally, there are plenty of activities like s’mores by the fire, crafts, pony rides (yes, they have their own ponies on site), ice cream social, hay rides but this year they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We don’t use those amenities anyway so that wasn’t a problem but can see that would be fun activities for kids. We were in a buddy sites with our friends and liked the shared patio. Since we were in the open area, we were able to get both satellite with our roof-mounted dome and some over-the-air channels from Portland which is about 45 minutes away. All of our hook-ups were in an accessible place but we were also in a long pull thru and could position the RV in the site accordingly.
Some of the cons for this park are the lack of cable, so-so wifi, and the dusty gravel roads and pot holes. There are a few restrooms buildings scattered around the park which may not be close depending on what site you are in.
Easy to get too and close to everything from shopping to the beach.
This was my favorite campground last summer. This campground is relatively quiet. It is in the country but very close to stores. The owners are very nice. I will definitely go back again. There are so many campsites. They have a nice store with a variety of items.
Gunstock Campground and Freeport/Durham KOA provide camping options within driving distance of Saco, Maine. Both locations accept pets and offer amenities for family camping with reservable sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, water hookups, and electric service. Neither facility offers dedicated horse corrals, though both accommodate tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Gunstock maintains 250 sites with varying levels of privacy - some sites back up to woods while others are in more open areas. Recent improvements include clean shower facilities, a fenced dog park, and a children's playground, with reviewers noting the peaceful atmosphere and quiet nights at campsites.
The trail systems at Gunstock Mountain provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, though specific horse trails are not mentioned in the available data. Located in Gilford, New Hampshire, Gunstock offers additional recreational activities including a mountain coaster, zipline courses, and hiking trails directly accessible from the campground. The Freeport/Durham KOA features spacious sites with full hookups that can accommodate large RVs and is situated approximately 45 minutes from Portland. Both campgrounds operate seasonally, with Freeport/Durham KOA open from late April through October. Campers seeking horse-specific facilities may need to contact the campgrounds directly, as neither location explicitly advertises equestrian accommodations in their standard amenities listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Saco, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Saco, ME is Freeport / Durham KOA with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
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