5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The search for horse-friendly campgrounds near Danville, New Hampshire reveals limited dedicated equestrian camping options in the immediate vicinity. Most established campgrounds in the area, including Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry and Gunstock Campground in Gilford, do not offer specific horse corrals or equestrian facilities based on their listed features. Gunstock Campground spans 250 sites with accommodation for tents, RVs, and cabins, but lacks dedicated horse amenities despite its extensive trail system and wooded sites. The campground's spacious layout and proximity to hiking areas could potentially accommodate horse trailers in certain sections, though this would require direct confirmation with management.
Trail access remains a primary consideration for equestrians seeking camping options near Danville. Riders typically need to trailer their horses to nearby state parks and trail systems for day-use riding opportunities. The surrounding New Hampshire region offers multiple bridle paths within state forests and conservation lands that allow horseback riding, though these areas may not provide overnight camping with horses. Seasonal restrictions affect trail access in many locations, particularly during spring thaw conditions when ground surfaces are vulnerable to damage. Most campgrounds in the region that permit pets do not automatically extend this policy to horses without specific equestrian facilities, making advance arrangements essential for those traveling with horses to the Danville area.
"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 Availability"The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area."
"The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw."
from $20 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $50 / night
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!
RangerI found this campground in a totally roundabout way, while searching for lodging during a field trip to Plimouth Plantation. After discovering it, I decided that we HAD to plan a trip here sometime soon.
Ponkapoag Camp is run by the AMC. The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area. There is a year round caretaker there to help folks check in, and she also sells firewood. Reservations are by mail only, although you can call the caretaker to confirm availability.
Before I continue my review, it is important to note: THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER.
We brought all our water from home, and it worked well. Make sure you bring campsuds or other eco-friendly soap since the toilets are just outhouses without running water much of the year.
The Cabins:
Each cabin has between 2-6 beds. The mattresses in our large cabin were brand new dorm style mattresses, which were slippery but comfortable. The cabins have assorted dressers and shelves for storage, and a table for dining on those bad weather days. The floors are wooden. Many cabins have wood stoves, which is great for the cooler parts of the year. We were there Memorial Day weekend, and needed the stove when it dipped to 40 degrees. Outside of the cabin is a pedestal grill, and a picnic table. My children found trees close by to hang their hammocks.
Upon departure from the camp, you are required to sweep and tidy up the cabin.
The Grounds:
Hiking trails abound on the property. While none of the trails are steep, they all go through beautiful ares, with views of the pond, and interesting rock formations. Blue Hill is within hiking distance, and it is a favorite spot for seeing the sunrise. Apparently you can see all the way to Boston!
The pond itself is a wonderful place for kayaking and canoeing. There are several rocky boulders poking out of the water that make fun spots to discover. The sunsets over the pond are spectacular to watch from the dock.
Getting there: The driveway to the camp is totally unmarked. It is a gate studded with two american flags. When you confirm your reservation (by mail), the caretaker will give you the access code for the gate. We enjoyed being somewhere that was so close to people, but felt so remote and had no traffic.
Downsides: One of the nights we stayed, the flight path to Logan International Airport was right over the campground. We all slept fine, but it was distracting. Thankfully, they change the flight path every night, so it should not happen every night!
WILD ZORA FOOD review:
As a Ranger with The Dyrt, I was given the opportunity to test out food from Wild Zora Foods. https://wildzora.com.
This is a premade meal company, focusing on Paleo and Primal recipes. We tried out a sampler pack of their meat bars, and then two meal-in-a-bag freeze dried entrees. We ended up eating several meat bars while making the trip to the campground, since we were stuck in traffic and everyone was hungry. Our 5 children helped do the sampling. Out of the six flavors (Parmesan Beef, BBQ beef, Mediterranean Lamb, Curry Turkey, Chili Beef, and Taco Pork), our favorites were Parmesan Beef ad Mediterranean Lamb. The other flavors seemed a bit too sweet for our liking. However, the bars were a great substitute for junk food when everyone is hungry. Everyone enjoyed eating them. I liked that they used food such as dates and dried apricots as sweeteners. My children all wanted more. I'd say that one bar would be a good snack for an adult.
We also cooked up a batch of a berry breakfast cacao bowl, and their Chicken Caldera Curry. Both meals were super convenient in their pouches that could be cooked and eaten in. We just poured boiling water in, and let them sit. The Caldera Chicken Curry was well seasoned, and very meaty. I was impressed by how filling it was without needing any rice. The texture was a bit chalky, but overall, it was a great option for a Paleo freeze-dried meal. The berry breakfast meal was less satisfying--but it tasted very fresh, and not overly sweet.
It was fun to test these foods out. When camping with kids, it is often hard to have time to cook a camp meal each night, so having quick options can really make a trip go more smoothly. I recommend checking out Wild Zora if you are interested in a preservative free, high protein freeze dried meal option.
TravelerThe guy above me gave you most of the skinny, so I can keep this short and sweet. This campsite is superlatively convenient if you live in the Boston area, especially so if you’re like me and you’re one of those “Boston kids who don’t cross the bridge,” both proverbial and otherwise. The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw. Why spend a summer weekend baking like a sausage next to a big of townies when you can chill in the bog with bogey-bogmen?
Highlights:
serviceable and cheap campground with limited amenities
some natural peace and quite close to the city
lots of good berry picking and trails
not far from the blue hills
good family fun
swimming
Lowlights:
bogmen
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!
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 an awesome campground! Lots to do with a nice pool and lots of land to walk the dogs. Seasonal camping is better here.
Horse camping opportunities near Danville, New Hampshire primarily focus on day-use riding with limited overnight equestrian facilities. Most riders trailer their horses to nearby trails, state parks, and conservation areas for recreation rather than using dedicated horse camping facilities. State forests within a 30-mile radius offer several bridle trails that allow equestrian access, though seasonal restrictions apply especially during spring when trails are more susceptible to damage. Advance arrangements with campgrounds are necessary when traveling with horses since standard pet policies rarely include equestrian accommodations.
Golfing and recreation: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry offers campers a 1,300-acre property with a 9 or 18-hole golf course with pro shop and cart rentals. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," notes Christy C. The property also includes two swimming beaches and a bar and grill for post-recreation relaxation.
Outdoor adventures: Gunstock Campground provides access to numerous recreational activities beyond standard camping. "It has an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc," explains Kasey H. The mountain resort setting offers both summer and winter recreational opportunities, making it suitable for year-round visits.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds near Danville offer pond or lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating. Seasonal availability affects water activities, with most open from May through October. Water temperatures in area ponds typically reach comfortable swimming levels by late June through early September.
Natural settings: Campers consistently mention appreciating the wooded areas and natural features at campgrounds near Danville. At Gunstock Campground, visitors highlight the peaceful atmosphere: "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," shares Carolyn S.
Spacious sites: Site size varies considerably between campgrounds in the region. "Very spacious sites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near Lake Winni," notes Ryan P. about Gunstock Campground. Larger sites typically accommodate horse trailers better, though specific horse facilities remain limited.
Staff hospitality: Personal attention from staff makes a difference for many campers. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, one reviewer noted: "We had interactions with both Drew & Lauri Simonsen during our 2 night stay. Our generator was down and we needed to pick up our friend at the airport. Lauri loaned us her minivan to go to the airport and Drew loaned us some tools to work on the RV."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the Danville area operate from May through October, with limited year-round options. Weather conditions significantly impact access, with spring thaw creating muddy conditions on trails and unpaved campground roads.
Site variations: Quality and layout of sites vary within the same campground. At Hidden Valley, one camper noted: "Unfortunately, I can't give high marks to our campsite. 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."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer weekends. Some facilities use gated access systems requiring access codes or cards. At Gunstock Campground, "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," according to a reviewer.
Activity planning: Families benefit from campgrounds with multiple activity options. At Ponkapoag Camp, "The kids can hang out in the clubhouse if it's raining or swim in the pond if it's hot. Lots of hiking trails," explains stacy. Planning indoor alternatives during inclement weather helps maintain positive camping experiences with children.
Site selection: For families seeking privacy while tent camping, site location matters significantly. "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?)," suggests Melissa B. regarding Gunstock Campground.
Amenity access: Bathroom and shower facilities become particularly important for families with younger children. Check which campgrounds offer modern facilities versus more primitive options. Some campgrounds offer family bathrooms while others maintain separate men's and women's facilities only.
Hookup placement: RV campers should confirm hookup locations when making reservations. Sites with awkwardly placed utilities can complicate parking and setup. Larger rigs require confirmation of adequate space and turning radius, particularly at older campgrounds with narrower roads.
Seasonal camping options: Many campgrounds near Danville offer seasonal rates for longer stays. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," according to Christy C. These arrangements typically require advance contracts and deposits but provide cost savings for regular visitors.
Site terrain assessment: RV campers report varying experiences with site levelness and ground conditions. Bringing leveling blocks and stabilizers is recommended as many sites in the area feature natural terrain with slopes or uneven surfaces. During rainy periods, some unpaved sites develop drainage issues requiring careful placement of equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Danville, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Danville, NH is Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Danville, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Danville, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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