Best Equestrian Camping near Bretton Woods, NH

None of the campgrounds in the provided data specifically mention horse corrals or equestrian facilities. Hancock Campground, the primary campground documented in the reviews and data, has "NO horse-corral" listed in its features, indicating it does not have dedicated equestrian facilities. While pets are allowed at Hancock, there's no specific mention of accommodations for horses in either the campground data or reviews.

Hancock Campground operates year-round and is situated along the Pemigewasset River near Lincoln, New Hampshire, approximately 20 miles from Bretton Woods. The campground offers both drive-in and walk-in sites for tents and RVs, but lacks the specialized facilities required for horse camping. The terrain features riverside sites that many campers appreciate for their views and natural beauty. Most sites include fire pits, picnic tables, and bear boxes, but do not provide equestrian amenities like corrals, hitching posts, or designated trailer parking for horses.

The surrounding White Mountains region offers extensive trail systems accessible from nearby areas, including paths in White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park. Hikers frequently mention the convenient location for accessing numerous trails, but no reviews specifically discuss horseback riding opportunities or equestrian trail access. While the Kancamagus Highway provides good access to outdoor recreation, those planning to camp with horses would need to seek specialized equestrian campgrounds not represented in the provided data. The other campgrounds mentioned (Gunstock Campground, New Discovery State Park, and Groton Forest Road Campground) similarly do not indicate horse-specific amenities in their feature lists.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire (4)

    1. Hancock Campground

    28 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $30 / night

    "Luckily -- we were only about ten minutes from one of our favorite campgrounds in New Hampshire. Let me tell you why we like it so much."

    "This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."

    2. Gunstock Campground

    14 Reviews
    Gilford, NH
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 737-4355

    $35 - $80 / night

    "Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."

    "I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."

    3. New Discovery State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3042

    $20 - $38 / night

    "There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses. The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

    Not much cell service, but some in places.

    Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion."

    "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers."

    4. Groton Forest Road Campground

    4 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    43 miles
    +1 (802) 426-4122

    $35 / night

    "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Bretton Woods, NH

51 Reviews of 4 Bretton Woods Campgrounds


  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gunstock Campground

    Great Spot

    Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire. We arrived without a reservation a bit after the office closed, but Elena, the manager came out to let us in and allowed us to check in. She was great. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccine. Very nice showers. Beautiful fall colors.

  • Miccal  M.
    Aug. 25, 2024

    New Discovery State Park Campground

    Drove through on my way past

    This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay.

    There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.

    The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

    Not much cell service, but some in places.

    Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.

    Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.

  • Tina D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Semi Private Group Campground

    This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area. The sites here are pretty well spread out. Not ALL of them, but look around. We found what I would think is the best. The one we ended up at had stairs leading from the car down to our site. It was further away from the other sites and had the pretty much private stream running by it. The area we had for use was pretty huge, we had a giant tent 10-12 plus a pop up tent to put over the picnic table, and there was still a ton of room for the car, fire pit and general run around area for our dog. I never felt like we had to lock up everything we owned either. A short walk to the toilets from all sites. Bring a headlamp of course. TP is in the outhouses bring a spare hand sanitizer bottle to use after.

    FYI there is a pretty awesome hike close by you can do. I mean you have to drive there but it wasn't far. It goes up to Mt Moosilauke. We ended up taking Beaver Brook Trail to the Cascades, checked out the shelter and headed to Moosilauke Summit. A crazy hike pretty much going up the side of a waterfall. The peak was 4,802ft. Worth it! I'd say an 8 mile trek from the car, up, and back. I included just a couple pictures to entice you since its not about the campsite! There are a TON of trails near this campsite, this would just be my favorite of the 6 or 7 we did.

  • Carolyn S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2022

    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.

  • C
    May. 29, 2021

    Hancock Campground

    Riverside Paradise

    Most amazing spot I’ve ever camped and not too many people. Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Year-round campground with riverfront tent sites & standard sites

    I haven't stayed here, but I checked it out on Columbus Day weekend because it's one of the few campgrounds open year-round (plowed, unlike Lafayette Place, which is walk-in) in the White Mountains. Most of the reviews talk about the walk-in tent sites, but there's more to this campground that is located along the Kancamagus Highway just before the Lincoln Woods Visitors' Center.

    If you're a tent camper and don't mind carrying your gear downhill to a site, drive straight ahead to a parking lot. A few of the sites (3 & 4) are accessible from the far end of the parking lot, but for most of them you'll head down the steps in the middle with sites in two levels branching out on each side. Sites are large, but close together and although you're in the woods, there's not much to separate you from your neighbors. Even sites 10-20 are directly on the water.

    Sites 22-55 are suitable for RVs and tents. Those on the back side of the loop are close enough that you can hear the Pemi River running below. A few of the sites are pull-through. There are no hook-ups, but water available via spigots and flush toilets are available - except in winter. I'd recommend sites on the back side of the loop to provide some more distance from traffic noise. I chatted briefly with a host who remarked that sites on the western end of the loop have some cell phone coverage, unlike the rest of the campground.

    If you stay here, you're only a few miles from Lincoln where you can pick up any necessary supplies. This end of the Kanc your nearest hiking options are Lincoln Woods and Greeley Pond for family friendly trails, or Lincoln Woods to head into the Pemi wilderness, including peaks in the Pemi loop and Owl's Head. The Hancocks are via a trail at the hairpin on the Kanc. Franconia Notch and its many hiking trails and the multi-use trail are a short drive away.

    Bring cash or a check to pay your camping fee in the iron ranger. Fees cover the first vehicle; a second vehicle is an additional $5.

  • Tara S.
    Sep. 7, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Loved the Walk-In Tent Sites!

    Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August, and while it did feel a bit like a tent city, we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same.

    We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area.

    Hancock Campground is a five-minute drive from Lincoln, NH, and very close to awesome hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park.

  • M
    May. 1, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    Great location

    I stayed at Hancock campground in mid April this year. Great clean accessible bathrooms, beautiful grounds and large campgrounds. Leashed dogs are allowed. There are both walk-in and drive up tent sites. The walk-in sites are directly next to the beautiful Pemi River. Great overall would return again.

  • Sara D.
    Aug. 24, 2020

    Gunstock Campground

    Pretty Decent Little Camping Spot

    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!


Guide to Bretton Woods

Equestrian and tent campers seeking horse campgrounds near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire should note that dedicated horse facilities are limited in the immediate area. The White Mountains region sits at elevations between 1,500-6,288 feet with snow possible from October through May. Camping options range from riverside sites to forested campgrounds, with temperatures dropping significantly at night even in summer months.

What to do

Trail riding access: While Hancock Campground doesn't offer horse facilities, nearby trails provide hiking opportunities that connect to larger networks. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites. Some lovely spots by the water. Open year round!! I have stayed here many times," notes Kim O.

Winter camping: Cold weather camping offers unique experiences for prepared visitors. "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites," reports Heather B. about winter camping at Hancock Campground.

Outdoor activities: Gunstock Campground offers alternative recreation options within 90 minutes of Bretton Woods. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc," says Kasey H.

What campers like

Riverside sites: The Pemigewasset River provides natural ambiance at tent sites. "Nice first come first serve campground with a lot of separated sites. You'll probably want to be closer to the river (although people will get up early to fish, get on the river etc.) because the is traffic along the road," advises Elliott B.

Remote camping: For those seeking solitude, some New Discovery State Park Campground sites offer exceptional privacy. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene. beautiful! can't wait to go back!" shares Sambath T.

Off-season visits: Less crowded conditions enhance the camping experience during shoulder seasons. "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge... and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river. It was amazing," writes Molly G.

What you should know

Bear safety: Bear activity requires proper food storage at campsites. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," notes Lindsey M.

Site selection: Campground layout significantly impacts the camping experience. "These sites were carry-in only, which wasn't convenient, and it was a lot of work to carry all of our gear from the parking lot to the site (the main part of the path was a hill)," warns Lindsey M. about riverside sites.

Seasonal pests: Insect activity varies by location and season. "Our site was completely swarmed with bees. We checked a few vacant sites to see if maybe it was just our site, but we found them all around, including all over the cars in the lot," cautions Lindsey M.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming areas: Groton Forest Road Campground provides water recreation about 90 minutes from Bretton Woods. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," reports Reid B.

Bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms remain important for family camping trips. "The campground has flush toilets, which was a big plus, since most other campgrounds in the area only have vault toilets," notes Lindsey M.

Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require appropriate gear. "I put a buffer blanket under my sleeping bag just for some extra protection from the cool air coming up, but me and my Dog Sadie slept soundly, warmly and comfortably," shares Molly G. about cold-weather camping.

Tips from RVers

Site restrictions: New Discovery State Park Campground has varied terrain affecting vehicle placement. "Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," notes Laura M.

Water access: Water connections vary between campgrounds. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded... Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water," advises Laura M.

Security features: Campground security systems protect vehicle access. "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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bretton Woods, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bretton Woods, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bretton Woods, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Bretton Woods, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.