6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Elkins, New Hampshire present limited options for equestrian camping, as none of the facilities in the immediate area feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine accommodations. The available campgrounds—including Tippicanoe, Ramblewood, and Gunstock—permit pets but lack specific horse infrastructure such as stalls, wash racks, or designated trailer parking areas. Campsites accommodate traditional camping needs with water hookups, electric service, and sewer connections at most locations, but horse owners must seek alternatives for their animals.
Riders looking for trail access must plan accordingly, as the campgrounds in this region primarily cater to family camping with amenities like swimming areas, playgrounds, and recreational activities rather than equestrian pursuits. Gunstock Campground offers extensive hiking trails and wooded sites that provide natural settings, though not specifically designed for horses. The spacious campsites at Ramblewood Cabins could potentially accommodate small horse trailers by special arrangement, but the campground lacks dedicated equine facilities. Horse enthusiasts may need to explore options farther from Elkins or consider day-use riding areas while staying at conventional campgrounds that allow pets but don't provide specialized horse accommodations.
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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"This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."
"Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."
from $30 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $125 - $500 / 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.
RangerThis would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area. The sites here are pretty well spread out. Not ALL of them, but look around. We found what I would think is the best. The one we ended up at had stairs leading from the car down to our site. It was further away from the other sites and had the pretty much private stream running by it. The area we had for use was pretty huge, we had a giant tent 10-12 plus a pop up tent to put over the picnic table, and there was still a ton of room for the car, fire pit and general run around area for our dog. I never felt like we had to lock up everything we owned either. A short walk to the toilets from all sites. Bring a headlamp of course. TP is in the outhouses bring a spare hand sanitizer bottle to use after.
FYI there is a pretty awesome hike close by you can do. I mean you have to drive there but it wasn't far. It goes up to Mt Moosilauke. We ended up taking Beaver Brook Trail to the Cascades, checked out the shelter and headed to Moosilauke Summit. A crazy hike pretty much going up the side of a waterfall. The peak was 4,802ft. Worth it! I'd say an 8 mile trek from the car, up, and back. I included just a couple pictures to entice you since its not about the campsite! There are a TON of trails near this campsite, this would just be my favorite of the 6 or 7 we did.
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.
TravelerMost amazing spot I’ve ever camped and not too many people. Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail.
LegendI haven't stayed here, but I checked it out on Columbus Day weekend because it's one of the few campgrounds open year-round (plowed, unlike Lafayette Place, which is walk-in) in the White Mountains. Most of the reviews talk about the walk-in tent sites, but there's more to this campground that is located along the Kancamagus Highway just before the Lincoln Woods Visitors' Center.
If you're a tent camper and don't mind carrying your gear downhill to a site, drive straight ahead to a parking lot. A few of the sites (3 & 4) are accessible from the far end of the parking lot, but for most of them you'll head down the steps in the middle with sites in two levels branching out on each side. Sites are large, but close together and although you're in the woods, there's not much to separate you from your neighbors. Even sites 10-20 are directly on the water.
Sites 22-55 are suitable for RVs and tents. Those on the back side of the loop are close enough that you can hear the Pemi River running below. A few of the sites are pull-through. There are no hook-ups, but water available via spigots and flush toilets are available - except in winter. I'd recommend sites on the back side of the loop to provide some more distance from traffic noise. I chatted briefly with a host who remarked that sites on the western end of the loop have some cell phone coverage, unlike the rest of the campground.
If you stay here, you're only a few miles from Lincoln where you can pick up any necessary supplies. This end of the Kanc your nearest hiking options are Lincoln Woods and Greeley Pond for family friendly trails, or Lincoln Woods to head into the Pemi wilderness, including peaks in the Pemi loop and Owl's Head. The Hancocks are via a trail at the hairpin on the Kanc. Franconia Notch and its many hiking trails and the multi-use trail are a short drive away.
Bring cash or a check to pay your camping fee in the iron ranger. Fees cover the first vehicle; a second vehicle is an additional $5.
LegendHancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August, and while it did feel a bit like a tent city, we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same.
We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area.
Hancock 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.
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!
ScoutI stayed at Hancock campground in mid April this year. Great clean accessible bathrooms, beautiful grounds and large campgrounds. Leashed dogs are allowed. There are both walk-in and drive up tent sites. The walk-in sites are directly next to the beautiful Pemi River. Great overall would return again.
RangerSome pros and lots of cons. We stayed at a walk-in site by the river.
I never fully appreciated just how much camp hosts do. There was no ranger and no host. We arrived early on a Thursday, hopeful we could get a spot by the water. There are only two spots that are truly private in any way. They were both taken- fine. However, one of the groups had not registered and stayed until 4 or 5pm until everyone else had already set up for the day…then they left! So uncool. The site went unused because at that point, no one was going to move all their stuff. Maybe a camp host would’ve noticed that?
The sites were FILTHY with trash, dog poop and food waste. Pretty crazy considering this was supposed to be a bear area. There was also a bad smell wafting around, hmm…maybe because of the trash and dog poop? Stepping in dog poop and trying to clean off your boots is a significant bummer. The site we were stuck at also had ashes and chunks of wood all over the picnic table. Cleaning up this much in order to feel comfortable really sucked.
There was no running water at any of the pumps and the pit toilets were quite full.
There is a bridge nearby but the river covered any vehicle noise very well. It was also nice to be right off the highway and five minutes from town, yet it felt like a proper national forest experience.
There’s an upper loop with drive in sites. They didn’t seem very private and you could see the road. I wouldn’t stay up there.
Being by the river was beautiful. I would stay here again, but with more preparation for the campground’s limitations.
Nestled within the foothills of the White Mountains, Elkins, New Hampshire sits at approximately 750 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The area's camping season typically runs from May through October with average summer temperatures ranging from 50-80°F, though several campgrounds remain open year-round for winter enthusiasts.
Golfing and swimming: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers a unique combination of camping and recreation with its on-site 9 or 18-hole golf course. "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 park also provides "fishing and swimming on property along with a club house" according to Shawn C.
River activities: Waterfront camping sites at Hancock Campground provide easy access to river recreation. "The river flows right through the campground and makes for some excellent ambiance," explains Molly G. Another camper suggests to "set up a hammock on the shoreline and have a tasty beverage before bed" to fully enjoy the riverside setting.
Mountain hiking: The area's proximity to White Mountain trails makes it ideal for hikers looking to tackle challenging terrain. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites," reports Kim O., who appreciates Hancock Campground's year-round accessibility. Another camper mentioned they were "tired and needed a close place to stay for one night" after hiking the 4,000-footers in the region.
Spacious campsites: Ramblewood Cabins and Campground receives high marks for its generous site sizing. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" shares Anne G., who specifically noted the "spacious with views" aspect of the campground.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among visitor priorities. "This campground is run by a very pleasant couple who take great pride in this property. Everything is immaculate from the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds," reports David G. about Tippicanoe Campground.
Winter camping options: While many campgrounds close seasonally, several remain open year-round. "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," notes Heather B. about her winter experience at Hancock Campground.
Bee activity: Some campgrounds experience seasonal insect challenges. One camper at Hancock Campground reported: "Big negative: Our site was completely swarmed with bees... They were the worst on our last day; we planned to hang out, make breakfast, enjoy the river, and take our time packing up. But they were unbearable and we had a couple stings."
Campsite locations matter: At Gunstock Campground, site selection significantly impacts your camping experience. "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," cautions Melissa B., who recommends "the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17)" for more seclusion.
Limited equestrian camping options: Horse owners seeking equestrian camping near Elkins, New Hampshire will find no dedicated horse corrals or specialized facilities at local campgrounds. None of the top campgrounds in the region offer horse-specific amenities such as wash racks or designated trailer parking for equestrian camping.
Activity-focused campgrounds: Tippicanoe Campground caters well to families with children. "Many seasonal campers have been here for years and keep coming back for the friends and activities," observes David G., noting that the campground allows families to "relax and know that the kids are safe."
Playgrounds and recreation: Gunstock Campground offers numerous family-friendly activities. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," reports Kasey H. The campground also features "pool and playground available, camp store, bike & Segway trails" according to another camper.
Water recreation for kids: Hancock Campground provides natural water play options. "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," describes Tara S., making this an excellent option for families seeking water recreation without boat traffic.
Hookup placement challenges: At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, RVers should be aware of utility placement issues. "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," cautions Carry M.
Full hookup availability: Some campgrounds offer complete services for RVers. At Tippicanoe Campground, "the sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups," notes David G., adding that there are "very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds."
Seasonal RV options: For long-term stays, Hidden Valley accommodates seasonal campers. "There are 300 camping sites with full hookups. Very reasonably priced at $40 per night. A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," explains Christy C., noting the absence of tent campers with "only hard-sided units" observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elkins, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elkins, NH is Tippicanoe Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elkins, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Elkins, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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