Based on the available data, no horse-friendly campgrounds with equestrian facilities are currently listed near Gilmanton, New Hampshire. The campground information shows that all five listed properties (Gunstock Campground, Ramblewood Cabins and Campground, Hancock Campground, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, and Tippicanoe Campground) specifically indicate "NO horse-corral" in their features list. None of the user reviews mention horseback riding opportunities, horse facilities, or equestrian trails at these locations.
Campers seeking horse accommodations near Gilmanton may need to explore other regions of New Hampshire or contact these campgrounds directly to inquire about potential arrangements for horses. The White Mountain National Forest, located north of Gilmanton, offers some equestrian trails, though specific horse camping facilities at the reviewed campgrounds are not indicated in the provided data. The campgrounds offer various other amenities including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, but none specifically advertise horse-related facilities or services.
"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
from $25 - $45 / night
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
from $35 - $45 / night
LegendThis is our go to spot for late Fall and Winter camping. Just a few hard core cold weather lovers. Close to the slopes and snow shoe/snow mobile trails. Bathrooms are closed during this time. The porta potties are clean.
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
GuideThis was such a great campground! Before we even left we were planning on returning. It’s clean, has great facilities and a camp store with anything you need or forgot without having to go to Walmart. It’s a fun place for kids, peaceful for parents, plenty to do on site and nearby.
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
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.
ScoutJust stayed this weekend and Oh. My. God. We will 100% be back!
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!
GuideOpen year round. Most sites are close together with very little privacy
A few sites are pretty much right on the river which is awesome. There's a nearby swimming hole. Campground is only short drive away from an endless amount of hiking options
Scoutit is good
Horse camping options are limited near Gilmanton, New Hampshire, with most established campgrounds lacking dedicated equestrian facilities. The region sits within the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, characterized by rolling hills, hardwood forests, and numerous small lakes and ponds. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer daytime highs typically range from 75-85°F with occasional humidity.
Mountain biking trails: Gunstock Campground offers access to numerous trails suitable for different skill levels. "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," notes Kasey H. The campground also features "bike & Segway trails, quick access to some of NH's most beautiful mountains," according to Sara D.
Swimming in spring-fed ponds: Tippicanoe Campground features a beautiful beach area and trout-stocked pond. "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," explains David G.
Winter camping: Despite limited horse facilities, the area offers year-round camping opportunities. At Hancock Campground, "Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites... Water would have earned it five stars," mentions Heather B. about her December camping experience.
River access: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites at several campgrounds. "We picked the site right next to the rambling river. It was amazing," says Molly G. about Hancock Campground. Another visitor noted: "Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," describing the swimming hole.
Spacious sites: Ramblewood Cabins and Campground receives praise for its site layout. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" mentions Anne G. Similarly, at Gunstock Campground, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need," says Ryan P.
Pet-friendly policies: While horse facilities are lacking, many campgrounds welcome dogs. Gunstock Campground has "a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities," according to Melissa B. For those traveling with dogs, this provides an alternative animal-friendly option when equestrian camping near Gilmanton isn't available.
Limited privacy in some areas: At Gunstock Campground, "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. She recommends specific sites: "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."
Seasonal crowd differences: Many campgrounds in the region have different experiences depending on when you visit. "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge... We were the only ones in it," shares Molly G. about Hancock Campground. However, she warns, "when we returned this summer-- it was packed out!"
Wildlife considerations: Several campgrounds require bear-safe food storage. At Hancock Campground, sites include "a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box," according to Tara S. This is particularly important for tent campers who can't secure food in vehicles.
Activity options: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers multiple recreation choices on its 1300-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.," notes Christy C. Additionally, she mentions "2 swimming beaches" and a "bar & grill, playground."
Kid-friendly amenities: Gunstock Campground provides various activities for children. "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," reports Melissa B. Another camper, Sarah B., was enthusiastic about their visit: "Just stayed this weekend and Oh. My. God. We will 100% be back!"
Budget considerations: Camping costs vary throughout the region. Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park is "Very reasonably priced at $40 per night," according to Christy C. At Hancock Campground, Tara S. notes the "Cost was reasonable - $22 per night."
Hookup layouts: At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, one RVer noted challenges with site setup: "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.
Surface conditions: Site terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. One RVer at Hidden Valley 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." For extended stays, calling ahead to request specific site conditions may improve your experience.
Security features: 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," explains Melissa B. This provides additional security for RVers concerned about leaving equipment at their site while exploring the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gilmanton, NH is Gunstock Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gilmanton, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Gilmanton, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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