3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Gunstock Campground in Gilford, New Hampshire accommodates horses through its extensive 250-site property spread across wooded and open areas. While the campground doesn't feature dedicated horse corrals, it provides ample space for horse owners who bring their own containment systems. The campground offers diverse camping options including tent sites, RV spaces with full hookups, and rustic cabins. Equestrians appreciate the trails accessible directly from the campground, with some campsites positioned along a creek providing water access for animals. The large, spacious sites in wooded areas offer natural shade for horses during summer months. Sites in the Breezy Knolls section provide more privacy and tree coverage than the open field RV area. The campground maintains clean facilities including drinking water sources that serve both campers and their horses. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Wells, Maine.
Trail access from Gunstock Campground connects riders to multiple routes suitable for various skill levels. Equestrians can enjoy day rides on the property's extensive trail network, with routes connecting to larger regional trails. The campground's location provides convenient access to nearby bridle paths without requiring horse trailer transportation once settled. Horse owners should note that reservation requirements apply, with the campground operating seasonally. The gated entrance requires a key card for security, ensuring horses remain safe within the property boundaries. Campground staff can provide information about current trail conditions and suggested riding routes. Water crossings on several trails allow horses cooling opportunities during warmer months. The large field areas provide space for equestrians to exercise their animals when not on trails, with quiet evenings ensuring horses remain calm throughout their stay.
"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 Availability"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 location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport(home to L.L."
"The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc. There are 300 camping sites with full hookups."
GuideI 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.
RangerPros: 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!
GuideThis 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.
LegendFun 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!
ScoutThis 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.
TravelerWe 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!
LegendI 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.
ScoutVery well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly. All other guests were friendly as well. I’ll be back for sure.
TravelerVery low key relaxed place. Facilities are new and clean! Staff is friendly and accommodating. Campsites are large. Full hook ups. Pool is clean and well maintained.
Gunstock Mountain Resort Campground in Gilford, New Hampshire offers accommodations for horse owners across its 250-site property. The campground connects to multiple riding trails suitable for various skill levels, with equestrians appreciating direct access from campsites. Sites in the Breezy Knolls section provide more privacy with tree coverage compared to the open field areas. Horse owners must bring their own containment systems as dedicated corrals aren't provided. The creek-adjacent sites offer convenient water access for animals, while wooded areas provide natural shade during summer months.
Mountain activities year-round: Gunstock Campground provides access to seasonal recreation at the mountain. "We got to walk to hike Gunstock. Wished there was a restaurant within walking distance. But not a show stopper. We will be back!" notes Christine M. Many campers combine their stay with mountain adventures.
Cool off at nearby lakes: Freeport / Durham KOA provides convenient access to regional water recreation. The campground includes "a pool with slide" according to Iris A., while also serving as a base for exploring coastal Maine. Driving time to popular beaches typically ranges from 30-45 minutes.
Golf and fish on-site: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with recreation. "Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents. Plenty of tent sites. On site general store with grill. Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house," explains Shawn C. The golf course features 9 or 18 holes with pro shop and cart rentals.
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise the ample space at Gunstock Campground. "Pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc," shares Kasey H. Site selection affects privacy levels, with wooded areas offering more seclusion.
Family-friendly activities: Seasonal programming keeps families entertained throughout their stay. "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast. We've been coming back for years," reports Rebus B. about Freeport/Durham KOA. Halloween celebrations are particularly popular at regional campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive frequent mention in reviews. "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly," notes Ryan F. about Gunstock. Bathroom cleanliness and shower availability factor heavily into camper satisfaction across all regional campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds near Wells require advance booking, especially during peak season. Campground access often involves security measures. "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," explains Melissa B. about Gunstock Campground.
Site selection considerations: Different site sections offer varying experiences. "Some 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!" advises Sara D. Wooded versus open sites affects temperature, privacy, and noise levels.
Variable connectivity: Cell service and wifi quality fluctuate throughout the region. "WiFi and cell service are both spotty," warns Iris A. about Freeport/Durham KOA. Campers requiring consistent connectivity should verify coverage before booking or bring alternative solutions.
Seasonal activities: Freeport / Durham KOA plans themed weekends throughout their April-October season. "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," shares Rebus B.
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet areas vary significantly between campgrounds. "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," notes Nancy W. Horse-friendly campgrounds typically accommodate other animals but verify specific pet policies before booking.
Playground access: On-site recreation options keep children entertained. "They have a mini kid park and a pool, they have wooded area plus they also have an open areas to camp," explains Mike T. about Freeport/Durham KOA. Facility hours typically extend from morning through early evening during peak season.
Hookup placement challenges: Site configuration affects ease of connection to utilities. "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," warns Carry M. about Hidden Valley RV Park. Bringing extension cords and hoses mitigates this common issue.
Pull-through availability: Open areas typically offer more pull-through options. "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," explains Nancy W. about Freeport/Durham KOA. Reservations for these premium sites should be made well in advance.
Seasonal restrictions: Campground operating schedules vary throughout the region. Freeport/Durham KOA operates from "April 28 to October 30" according to their listing information. Weather conditions affect early and late season camping, with water systems typically winterized outside these dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wells, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wells, ME is Gunstock Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wells, ME?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Wells, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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