Cottonwood Camping & RV Park offers equestrian accommodations approximately 50 miles from Salsbury Cove, Maine. Located on Route 1 in Columbia Falls, this facility provides direct access to regional ATV and horse riding trails. Full hookup sites accommodate RVs and horse trailers with pull-through access. The park maintains clean bathroom facilities with unlimited hot water. Camping options include tent sites, tent rentals, teepee rentals, and a treehouse. Visitors can take advantage of horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides offered by the property owner. The campground's combination of equestrian facilities and reasonable pricing ($35-45 per night) makes it suitable for horse owners exploring eastern Maine.
What to do
Trail riding from your campsite: HTR Acadia in Mount Desert offers proximity to numerous riding trails. According to TJ S., "There was plenty of firewood available cheap. It was also on the Somes Sound/Atlantic Ocean. The views were breathtaking."
Horseback lessons and guided rides: Cottonwood Camping & RV Park provides on-site instruction for riders. One visitor noted, "The owner also offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides." Perfect for beginners or those wanting local guidance.
ATV trail access: Horse owners who also enjoy ATV riding will find Cottonwood especially appealing. J B. reports, "This is the first campground we have stayed at that has ATV trail access, horse friendly camping, full hookups, pull through sites."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of equestrian camping areas. Suzy M. mentioned about Cottonwood, "Outstanding bath facilities with United hot water, (free too!)," making it comfortable after a day of riding.
Variety of accommodation options: HTR Acadia provides diverse camping experiences. Sam L. notes, "The sites were equipped with hammock trees, fire rings, picnic tables, and even running water and electricity!" This flexibility works well for different equestrian camping styles.
Accessibility to riding areas: Proximity to riding trails ranks high for equestrian campers. As Ian P. states about HTR Acadia, "Proximity to Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor, and all the great things to do in the area is perfect."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all sites accommodate horses equally. Thomas R. advises about HTR Acadia: "As a walk-in, I think I got the worst campsite in the campground. I would avoid campsite 14, because the parking spot is about six feet above the camping area, and the camping area is not especially level." Call ahead to ensure proper horse accommodations.
Seasonal considerations: Equestrian camping near Salsbury Cove varies significantly by season. Summer offers optimal trail conditions but higher occupancy. Fall provides less crowded trails with cooler temperatures ideal for horses.
Construction updates: Some facilities continue developing additional amenities. Don K. observes about Cottonwood, "New park so lots of construction going on. Owner is very helpful. Will be a great park when it really gets going."
Tips for camping with families
Specialty accommodations: Unique lodging options appeal to families with horse interests. Cheryl R. describes her experience at Cottonwood: "I surprised my husband with the Teepee - we were not disappointed! A huge Teepee with a very comfortable queen size bed - a couch, table, area animal rugs, coffee maker and a fan if needed."
Sound considerations: Be strategic about site selection when camping with children. Jess Y. cautions about waterfront sites at HTR Acadia: "Remember that sound travels over water. This is truly a stunning little spot and it was so peaceful, until it wasn't."
Family-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with additional activities for non-riders. Ian P. mentions about HTR Acadia: "Great pool and other facilities. Found this place because the State Parks closed camping due to Covid, what a great find."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Large rigs with horse trailers require specific sites. J B. confirms Cottonwood offers "full hookups, pull through sites" that accommodate equestrian setups.
Hookup positions: Check utility placement before setting up. Rita notes about HTR Acadia: "Our site has water and electric on the wrong side," which can require extensions for proper connections.
Levelness for larger vehicles: Horse trailers and RVs need level surfaces. Don K. mentions Cottonwood has "W/E/S at most sites" but site selection remains important for larger equestrian rigs.