4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Gunstock Campground near Freedom accepts horses and provides a range of camping options with 250 sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. While no dedicated horse corrals are available on the property, the campground allows pets and features spacious campsites that can accommodate trailers. Campers describe the grounds as well-kept with large sites and plenty of land for walking animals. The campground operates seasonally and offers full amenities including drinking water, electric hookups (30/50 amp), showers, toilets, and a camp store where riders can purchase essential supplies. The wooded sites in the Breezy Knolls area provide more privacy and shade for campers with animals, though these limited spots fill quickly during peak season.
Located approximately 30 miles from Freedom, Gunstock Mountain Resort offers trail access and outdoor recreation opportunities for equestrians. The campground connects to walking and hiking paths where permitted animals can exercise. Hancock Campground, another option in the region, provides a more rustic experience with fewer amenities but year-round accessibility. Both locations require advance planning as horse-friendly sites are limited. Campers note that the Gunstock area offers quiet nights and tranquil surroundings, particularly in less populated sections of the campground. Most equestrian visitors recommend booking early and requesting sites with adequate space for horse trailers and equipment, as the more secluded wooded areas tend to book quickly during summer months.
"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 Availability"The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit! (This part is NOT for the little kids). The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early."
"The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport(home to L.L."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability
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.
Gunstock Campground offers a variety of camping experiences for visitors seeking outdoor recreation near Freedom, New Hampshire. Located about 30 miles from Freedom in the Lakes Region, the 250-site campground sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with terrain that ranges from open fields to wooded areas. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach the 70s-80s with cooler evenings.
Mountain activities: The campground connects to Gunstock Mountain Resort's adventure attractions including an aerial obstacle course and mountain coaster. "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," notes Kasey H. about Gunstock Campground.
Explore wooded trails: Take advantage of the nature paths throughout the 50-acre property at Freeport/Durham KOA. "The park has nice super long 50 amp FHU pull-thrus in the front of the park which will fit any length RV and tow vehicle... the rest of the campground has a very park-like feel with over 50 acres there is plenty of room to roam and even a short nature trail through a wooded area," shares Nancy W. about the Freeport/Durham KOA.
Winter camping: Unlike many seasonal facilities, Hancock Campground remains open year-round, making it an excellent base for winter recreation and horse riding. "I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter (it is so nice to have an open bathroom in the winter!) and a few times in the summer. Quiet, clean sites," reports Kim O. about Hancock Campground.
Private wooded sites: Many equestrian campers prefer more secluded areas for their animals. "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. regarding Gunstock Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds maintain peaceful environments even during busy seasons. "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," says Ryan F. about Ramblewood Cabins and Campground.
Riverside locations: Water features add appeal for both humans and horses. "We camped here Wednesday-Friday on one of the riverfront tent sites... Our site had a nice little opening to the water and had a bit more tree coverage to separate us from our neighbors," describes Lindsey M. about Hancock Campground.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the Freedom area have limited operating seasons due to New Hampshire's climate. "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge (there ended up being a blizzard when we got to the top) and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it," recounts Molly G. about Hancock.
Reservation requirements: Horse-friendly sites fill quickly during peak times. "The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early," advises Rebus B. about Freeport/Durham KOA during their Halloween event.
Wildlife considerations: Some locations require proper storage of food and supplies. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," shares Lindsey M. regarding camping at Hancock.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreation options. "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast," recommends Rebus B. about the family programs at Freeport/Durham KOA.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically when camping with children and animals. "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," advises Melissa B. about Gunstock.
Pet-friendly amenities: Many locations accommodate both children and animals. "Campground has a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities," notes Melissa B. about Gunstock Campground, which is helpful for equestrian campers with other pets.
Site positioning: RV campers should consider how to optimize their parking for hookups and views. "Since we were in the open area, we were able to get both satellite with our roof-mounted dome and some over-the-air channels from Portland which is about 45 minutes away. All of our hook-ups were in an accessible place but we were also in a long pull thru and could position the RV in the site accordingly," explains Nancy W. about Freeport/Durham KOA.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly between campgrounds. "The campground has a little bit for everybody... they have wooded area plus they also have an open areas to camp," says Mike T. about Freeport/Durham KOA, noting the range of site types available.
Water access: Consider locations with direct access to natural features. "Great for primitive camping. Beautiful area adjacent to the river. Set up a hammock on the shoreline and have a tasty beverage before bed," suggests Mike M. about Hancock Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Freedom, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Freedom, NH is Gunstock Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Freedom, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Freedom, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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