The White Mountain National Forest surrounds Campton, New Hampshire, offering diverse camping terrain at elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences temperature fluctuations with summer days reaching 80°F and dropping to 50°F at night. While equestrian-specific facilities are limited, several campgrounds accommodate horses with advanced arrangements.
What to do
Trail riding access: Near Hancock Campground, riders can connect to multiple trail systems. "The 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," notes reviewer Tara S., highlighting the convenient access to multi-use trails.
Equestrian day trips: Gunstock Campground offers proximity to regional horse trails. Reviewer christine M. mentions, "We enjoyed this campground! The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock."
Seasonal recreation: Winter camping with horses requires extra preparation. At Hancock Campground, reviewer Heather B. shares: "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. The campgrounds were well cared for and the staff was friendly."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At New Discovery State Park Campground, campers appreciate the secluded spots. "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!" says Sambath T.
River proximity: Water access ranks high for campers seeking spots for horses to drink. "This campground is great! I recommend getting a site in the river side away from the street. Absolutely beautiful!" says Lisa S. about Hancock Campground.
Off-season tranquility: Less crowded periods offer better experiences for horse campers. Molly G. notes about Hancock: "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."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Horse campers must secure feed properly. At Hancock Campground, Lindsey M. mentions: "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."
Limited equestrian amenities: No dedicated horse corrals exist at campgrounds near Campton. Bring portable containment systems. "Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box," notes Tara S. about Hancock, indicating standard amenities without horse-specific facilities.
Water access considerations: For watering horses, river sites provide convenience. "Great for primitive camping. Beautiful area adjacent to the river. Set up a hammock on the shoreline and have a tasty beverage before bed," writes Mike M. about Hancock's riverside options.
Tips for camping with families
Tent platforms: Ramblewood Cabins and Campground offers spacious sites for families bringing horses and equipment. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" notes Anne G.
Swimming options: After trail rides, cooling off is essential. At Gunstock Campground, Sara D. shares: "Pros: Beautiful area, not a bad size campground, quiet nights, 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."
Insect preparation: Bees can affect horse camping comfort. One reviewer at Hancock notes: "Big negative: 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."
Tips for RVers with horses
Site selection priority: At Groton Forest Road Campground, choose sites with adequate space for horse trailers. "My girlfriend and I visited last year for a nice getaway and absolutely loved the park. The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites," reports Reid B.
Hookup availability: For longer stays with horses, Tippicanoe Campground provides full services. "The sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds where you are not far from the beautiful beach," explains David G.
Water fill considerations: Gunstock has water available but with limitations. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," advises Laura M., information critical for RVers planning horse camping near Campton.
