5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / 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 $35 - $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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 4.9-star rating from 14 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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