Equestrian camping near Concord, New Hampshire requires special planning as dedicated horse facilities are limited in the region. The area sits within the Merrimack River Valley at approximately 300 feet above sea level, with surrounding hills rising to 1,000 feet. Most campgrounds in the immediate Concord area do not accommodate horses, with riders needing to travel to designated equestrian trails and camping areas throughout the White Mountain National Forest.
What to do
Explore mountain terrain: At Gunstock Campground, visitors can access numerous hiking and biking trails. "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," notes Carolyn S.
Golf while camping: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with recreation on their 1,300-acre property. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," explains Christy C. The property also offers "fishing and swimming on property along with a club house."
Fish in stocked ponds: Trout fishing opportunities abound for anglers at several locations. "Rand Pond is the body of water at the campground and is restricted to under 10 HP boats. It is stocked with rainbow trout by the State of NH and is a spring fed sandy bottom pond," shares David G. about Tippicanoe Campground.
What campers like
Quiet camping environments: Many campgrounds maintain peaceful atmospheres for relaxation. "Very 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," reports Ryan F. about his stay at Gunstock Campground.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate having adequate room at their sites. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" mentions Anne G. about Ramblewood Cabins and Campground. Another camper noted, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni."
Clean facilities: Consistently clean bathrooms and amenities rate highly among camper preferences. "The amenities are state of the art, clean laundry center, restrooms, bath house, grocery store, bar & grill, playground & 2 swimming beaches," according to one review of Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park. Others mention "free hot showers that are not dirty" as a significant plus.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campgrounds may have significant variation between sites. "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," advises Melissa B.
Service placement challenges: Hookup locations can complicate setting up. "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," reports one reviewer about their experience.
Seasonal camper presence: Many campgrounds have long-term seasonal occupants. "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year. I did not see any tents there, only hard-sided units," notes one camper at Hidden Valley.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Destinations with multiple recreational options keep children engaged. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc," mentions Kasey H. about family activities.
Camp store convenience: On-site stores eliminate trips for forgotten items. "Everything is immaculatefrom the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds so you can relax and know that the kids are safe and you will be stress-freefor your stay," explains one camper about Tippicanoe Campground.
Wi-Fi availability: Teens and kids appreciate connectivity options. "The kids were given a lot of grace and hung out in the grill/game room area for hours on end to use the wi-fi," shares one parent about their experience at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup verification: Confirm which hookups are available at your specific site. Sites at different campgrounds vary widely, with options for "full hookups" that include "water, 50amp and sewer hookups" at some locations while others may have more limited services.
Camp gate access: Some campgrounds use secure entry systems. "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," advises Melissa B. about practical considerations for RVers.
Site leveling preparation: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The site had very long grass, bare rock and mud. It was not a site we would have wanted to stay on any longer than the one night," notes one RVer, highlighting the importance of leveling blocks and site research.
