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.
