Equestrian Camping near Exeter, NH

Campers seeking equestrian facilities near Exeter, New Hampshire have access to several established campgrounds within a reasonable driving distance. Exeter sits in the southeastern region of New Hampshire, approximately 14 miles inland from the Atlantic coast. The area features a mix of wooded terrain and open spaces with mild summers averaging 80°F and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Fall camping offers colorful foliage viewing opportunities while spring brings moderate temperatures and occasional rain.

What to do

Explore hiking trails: Gunstock Campground provides access to numerous trails directly from the property, allowing campers to hike Gunstock Mountain. As one visitor noted, "We enjoyed this campground! The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock."

Golf while camping: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines outdoor recreation with golf opportunities on their 1300-acre property. A reviewer mentioned, "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc."

Adventure activities: For thrill-seekers, Gunstock Mountain offers adventure options beyond basic camping. According to one camper, "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc." These activities operate seasonally and are located near the camping areas.

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds in the region offer fishing access. At Hidden Valley, visitors can enjoy both fishing and swimming on the property, with one camper noting, "Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house."

What campers like

Private wooded sites: While limited in number, the secluded tent sites at Gunstock Campground receive high praise. A camper advised, "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."

Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among visitor priorities. One Gunstock visitor commented, "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."

Helpful staff: Staff responsiveness makes a significant difference in camping experiences. A Hidden Valley guest shared, "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. They were so helpful and treated us like family."

Spacious campsites: Ample space between sites enhances privacy and comfort. A Gunstock reviewer mentioned, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni."

What you should know

Site positioning challenges: Campsites may present setup difficulties depending on your equipment. One visitor to Hidden Valley noted, "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."

Limited wooded tent sites: For tent campers seeking shade and privacy, options may be restricted. A Gunstock visitor observed, "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."

Seasonal population: Ramblewood Cabins and Campground and other area campgrounds have significant seasonal resident populations. At Hidden Valley, a camper noted, "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year. I did not see any tents there, only hard-sided units."

Activity noise: Adventure activities can create background noise at certain campsites. One Gunstock camper explained, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Amenities for children: Family-friendly campgrounds offer specific features for younger visitors. At Hidden Valley, one visitor appreciated that "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."

Dog-friendly options: Many families camp with pets, and facilities like Gunstock accommodate this need. A camper noted, "Campground has a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities." Be aware that "Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccine."

Root-covered sites: Natural terrain can present challenges for tent setup. One Gunstock visitor warned, "So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it."

Security features: Parents appreciate safety measures at campgrounds. Gunstock provides "gated access with key cards for added security," ensuring controlled access to the camping area.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: For those traveling with horses or RVs, full-service sites are important. At Hidden Valley, "There are 300 camping sites with full hookups. Very reasonably priced at $40 per night."

Site conditions vary: Seasonal weather can affect campsite conditions. One visitor reported, "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."

Camp store convenience: On-site supplies save trips to town. Gunstock campers appreciate the "great store with everything you need" for last-minute necessities or forgotten items.

Quiet atmosphere: Many RVers seek peaceful settings. One Gunstock visitor reported, "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly."