4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Canterbury area offers limited options for equestrian camping. Based on the campground data, none of the reviewed facilities near Canterbury explicitly advertise horse corrals or dedicated equestrian amenities. Gunstock Campground, located approximately 20 miles from Canterbury in Gilford, permits pets but lacks specific horse facilities. The campground spans a large area with 250 sites and provides water, electric, and sewer hookups that accommodate various camping styles including tents, RVs, and cabins. Clean bathrooms, free hot showers, and spacious sites characterize the grounds, though the wooded sites offering more privacy are limited.
Trail access opportunities exist in the broader region surrounding Canterbury. Gunstock's location provides access to hiking trails and outdoor activities, though not specifically bridle trails. Ramblewood Cabins and Campground, situated north of Canterbury, offers spacious sites with scenic views according to visitor accounts. For equestrians planning to camp in the area, calling ahead to confirm horse accommodation policies is essential, as none of the reviewed campgrounds specifically list horse corrals or equine facilities. Riders may need to investigate state parks or specialized equestrian facilities beyond the immediate Canterbury area for proper horse accommodations including trailer parking, water access for animals, and appropriate waste management options.
"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."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $45 / night
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GuideFairly 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.
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!
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!
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
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!
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
GuideThis is an awesome campground! Lots to do with a nice pool and lots of land to walk the dogs. Seasonal camping is better here.
Equestrian camping options near Canterbury, New Hampshire are limited but available within driving distance. The region offers wooded terrain with elevation changes ranging from 400 to 800 feet, creating diverse landscapes for trail riding. Seasonal temperature variations impact trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy trails while fall offers cooler temperatures ideal for longer rides.
Trail riding access: Gunstock Campground in Gilford offers proximity to outdoor activities including hiking trails that could be suitable for day rides. As Marc D. notes, the campground is "fairly extensive" and situated in "beautiful fall colors," making autumn an ideal time for equestrian visitors seeking scenic riding opportunities.
Mountain exploration: The areas surrounding Ramblewood Cabins and Campground provide riders with views that campers have praised. Anne G. shared they "really enjoyed sites and hospitality" and specifically mentioned the "spacious [sites] with views" which indicates good visibility for riders planning route navigation.
Water recreation combination: For riders wanting to combine trail time with fishing opportunities, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers "fishing and swimming on property" according to Shawn C., creating opportunities to cool off horses after rides or enjoy multi-activity days during extended stays.
Spacious sites: Horse owners appreciate ample space, and Gunstock Campground delivers with "pretty spacious sites" according to Kasey H. The campground's 250 sites spread across a large property allows for some separation between camping areas, though the most private spots are limited.
Clean facilities: After dusty trail days, proper cleaning facilities matter. Tippicanoe Campground maintains "immaculate" conditions throughout their property. David G. specifically praised how "everything is immaculate from the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds" - essential for riders who need reliable cleaning options after trail time.
Natural setting: The wooded areas provide shade important for horse comfort. At Gunstock, Melissa B. describes the "beautiful" wooded areas in the Breezy Knolls section, noting that while "wooded/shaded tent sites...are limited," the natural areas available offer quality environments for visitors seeking natural surroundings.
Horse accommodation confirmation: None of the reviewed campgrounds explicitly advertise dedicated equestrian facilities. Calling ahead to confirm horse policies is essential, as specific arrangements for horse accommodation may vary by season and current management policies.
Site limitations: The terrain can present challenges for horse trailers and equipment. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, Carry M. found their site had "very long grass, bare rock and mud" and was "slanted," which could create difficulties for equestrian campers with trailers or portable corrals.
Seasonal considerations: Fall offers optimal conditions for horse camping in the Canterbury region. Marc D. mentioned "beautiful fall colors" at Gunstock, while summer visitors should prepare for potentially busier conditions as Christine M. observed the campground was "so quiet at night" during their stay, which is beneficial for horses that may be sensitive to noise.
Adventure options: Horse camping families appreciate complementary activities. Gunstock Campground features diverse recreation beyond riding as Sara D. explained: "bike & Segway trails, quick access to some of NH's most beautiful mountains" plus a "pool and playground available" for children needing breaks from trail activities.
Safety considerations: Secure facilities matter for families with horses and children. Tippicanoe Campground prioritizes this aspect as David G. noted you can "relax and know that the kids are safe" in their "well laid out grounds" which creates a controlled environment beneficial for managing both children and horses.
Noise awareness: Families should select sites based on noise sensitivity. At Gunstock, Melissa B. warns there "is a zip line course and a metal 'slide' or coaster" that "can get kind of noisy between the sounds of the gear and the kids screaming" - important when considering nervous horses that might react to unexpected sounds.
Hookup positioning: RVers with horse trailers should note utility placement challenges. Carry M. found at Hidden Valley that "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" making it "difficult to place our trailer...and reach all services" - crucial information for those needing specific trailer orientation.
Maneuverability: Some campgrounds offer better large vehicle accommodation than others. Gunstock receives praise from Ryan P. for its "large campsites" which provide the extra space needed for truck and trailer combinations common with equestrian travelers.
Community atmosphere: RVers appreciate welcoming environments for extended stays. Christy C. highlighted the exceptional service at Hidden Valley, noting staff "treated us like family" and were "so helpful" - important for equestrian travelers who often need local knowledge about trail conditions and riding regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Canterbury, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Canterbury, NH is Gunstock Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Canterbury, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Canterbury, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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