5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Limited equestrian camping options exist near Hampstead, New Hampshire, with none of the reviewed campgrounds featuring dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine facilities. Review of the local campgrounds reveals that Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, Gunstock Campground, Ponkapoag Camp, and Ramblewood Cabins and Campground all lack horse-specific amenities according to their feature lists. Gunstock Campground offers 250 sites with various accommodation types including tent, RV, and cabin options, along with extensive trail networks that could potentially accommodate day riders, though specific bridle trails are not designated in the property data.
Riders seeking horse-friendly camping near Hampstead may need to expand their search radius or contact campgrounds directly to inquire about horse accommodations. The surrounding region offers trail systems that intersect with some campgrounds, providing potential day-riding opportunities for those staying nearby. Campers wishing to bring horses should verify in advance whether trailer parking is available and if temporary corrals or high-lines are permitted on standard campsites. Several campgrounds in the broader New Hampshire region may offer more suitable options for camping with horses, including facilities with designated equestrian sites, trailer parking, and access to established bridle trail networks connected to state parks and recreation areas.
"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"The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw."
"The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area."
from $20 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $50 / night
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.
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!
TravelerThe guy above me gave you most of the skinny, so I can keep this short and sweet. This campsite is superlatively convenient if you live in the Boston area, especially so if you’re like me and you’re one of those “Boston kids who don’t cross the bridge,” both proverbial and otherwise. The area around Ponkapog is beautiful, showcasing a wetland climate that, while common, is an integral part of the Massachusetts ecosystem that many people don’t even realize is within a stones throw. Why spend a summer weekend baking like a sausage next to a big of townies when you can chill in the bog with bogey-bogmen?
Highlights:
serviceable and cheap campground with limited amenities
some natural peace and quite close to the city
lots of good berry picking and trails
not far from the blue hills
good family fun
swimming
Lowlights:
bogmen
RangerI found this campground in a totally roundabout way, while searching for lodging during a field trip to Plimouth Plantation. After discovering it, I decided that we HAD to plan a trip here sometime soon.
Ponkapoag Camp is run by the AMC. The camp is on a beautiful piece of wooded land surrounding a large pond/lake. There are about 25 rustic cabins, and a few tent sites dispersed throughout the camping area. There is a year round caretaker there to help folks check in, and she also sells firewood. Reservations are by mail only, although you can call the caretaker to confirm availability.
Before I continue my review, it is important to note: THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER.
We brought all our water from home, and it worked well. Make sure you bring campsuds or other eco-friendly soap since the toilets are just outhouses without running water much of the year.
The Cabins:
Each cabin has between 2-6 beds. The mattresses in our large cabin were brand new dorm style mattresses, which were slippery but comfortable. The cabins have assorted dressers and shelves for storage, and a table for dining on those bad weather days. The floors are wooden. Many cabins have wood stoves, which is great for the cooler parts of the year. We were there Memorial Day weekend, and needed the stove when it dipped to 40 degrees. Outside of the cabin is a pedestal grill, and a picnic table. My children found trees close by to hang their hammocks.
Upon departure from the camp, you are required to sweep and tidy up the cabin.
The Grounds:
Hiking trails abound on the property. While none of the trails are steep, they all go through beautiful ares, with views of the pond, and interesting rock formations. Blue Hill is within hiking distance, and it is a favorite spot for seeing the sunrise. Apparently you can see all the way to Boston!
The pond itself is a wonderful place for kayaking and canoeing. There are several rocky boulders poking out of the water that make fun spots to discover. The sunsets over the pond are spectacular to watch from the dock.
Getting there: The driveway to the camp is totally unmarked. It is a gate studded with two american flags. When you confirm your reservation (by mail), the caretaker will give you the access code for the gate. We enjoyed being somewhere that was so close to people, but felt so remote and had no traffic.
Downsides: One of the nights we stayed, the flight path to Logan International Airport was right over the campground. We all slept fine, but it was distracting. Thankfully, they change the flight path every night, so it should not happen every night!
WILD ZORA FOOD review:
As a Ranger with The Dyrt, I was given the opportunity to test out food from Wild Zora Foods. https://wildzora.com.
This is a premade meal company, focusing on Paleo and Primal recipes. We tried out a sampler pack of their meat bars, and then two meal-in-a-bag freeze dried entrees. We ended up eating several meat bars while making the trip to the campground, since we were stuck in traffic and everyone was hungry. Our 5 children helped do the sampling. Out of the six flavors (Parmesan Beef, BBQ beef, Mediterranean Lamb, Curry Turkey, Chili Beef, and Taco Pork), our favorites were Parmesan Beef ad Mediterranean Lamb. The other flavors seemed a bit too sweet for our liking. However, the bars were a great substitute for junk food when everyone is hungry. Everyone enjoyed eating them. I liked that they used food such as dates and dried apricots as sweeteners. My children all wanted more. I'd say that one bar would be a good snack for an adult.
We also cooked up a batch of a berry breakfast cacao bowl, and their Chicken Caldera Curry. Both meals were super convenient in their pouches that could be cooked and eaten in. We just poured boiling water in, and let them sit. The Caldera Chicken Curry was well seasoned, and very meaty. I was impressed by how filling it was without needing any rice. The texture was a bit chalky, but overall, it was a great option for a Paleo freeze-dried meal. The berry breakfast meal was less satisfying--but it tasted very fresh, and not overly sweet.
It was fun to test these foods out. When camping with kids, it is often hard to have time to cook a camp meal each night, so having quick options can really make a trip go more smoothly. I recommend checking out Wild Zora if you are interested in a preservative free, high protein freeze dried meal option.
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!
GuideThis campground overall is very nice. 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. 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. 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. 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. Lol. But it didn't really bother me personally. The wooded area back there is beautiful though so the sites definitely made up for it. Campground has a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Would definitely camp here again. I just prefer the wooded/shaded tent sites...which are limited at this place.
LegendFun place! The mountain coaster and chairlift were great for the little ones and the ziplines are epic! They give discounts to campers. We stayed in 255, which was really nice, wooded, and right by the creek. Site 254 next door us easily the best trailer site in the entire place. It is huge and has two levels and tons of creek frontage. These two sites are nestled in a quiet tent area. The grid RV area was not very impressive, but all of the tent sites in the woods were really cool. The open field rv area was really exposed but close to amenities. Our family stayed in the cabins and they are nicely situated for privacy. Rustic and no AC or bathrooms but clean and nice little porch. The pool was nice, two excellent playgrounds, and everything well kept. You get your own keycard for the gate. Epic views from top of mountain!
GuideThis is an awesome campground! Lots to do with a nice pool and lots of land to walk the dogs. Seasonal camping is better here.
Equestrian camping options near Hampstead, New Hampshire remain limited despite the region's rural character. Most local campgrounds lack dedicated horse facilities, requiring riders to search broader areas of southern New Hampshire for suitable accommodations. The terrain around Hampstead features a mix of woodland trails and former logging routes that can potentially accommodate day riders, though few connect directly to established camping areas.
Trail exploration: Riders staying at Gunstock Campground can access nearby trail networks. "I 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," notes Carolyn S.
Camping with golfing: Unusual for equestrian-focused travelers but providing alternative recreation, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers extensive activities. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes," explains Christy C.
Water activities: When not riding, campers can enjoy pond access at several locations. "The pond itself is a wonderful place for kayaking and canoeing. There are several rocky boulders poking out of the water that make fun spots to discover," writes Rita M. about water recreation options near camp areas.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate sites with adequate room for vehicles and equipment. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" reports Anne G. about Ramblewood Cabins and Campground, which offers more space than typical campgrounds.
Proximity to trails: Easy access to hiking paths remains important for all outdoor enthusiasts. "Hiking trails abound on the property. While none of the trails are steep, they all go through beautiful areas, with views of the pond, and interesting rock formations," notes a camper about regional trail systems.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance standards matter significantly. "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni," says Ryan P., highlighting practical aspects valued by campers traveling with or without horses.
Seasonal considerations: Many New Hampshire campgrounds operate seasonally. "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," reports Christy C., indicating the limited availability window for planning equestrian trips.
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds maintain better site conditions than others. "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," warns Carry M., emphasizing the importance of researching specific site conditions.
Limited horse-specific amenities: As noted previously, dedicated equestrian facilities remain scarce. At Ponkapoag Camp, "There is no electricity or running water," explains Rita M., highlighting the rustic conditions that may challenge those traveling with horses requiring more infrastructure.
Activity options: Families should prioritize campgrounds with diverse recreation. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," explains Kasey H. about family-friendly amenities.
Playground access: For younger children, play areas provide essential entertainment. "Camp store, bike & Segway trails, quick access to some of NH's most beautiful mountains. Staff is friendly," notes Sara D., mentioning the playground availability at certain locations.
Secure environments: Parents value campgrounds with controlled access. "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," points out Melissa B. at Gunstock Campground, providing additional peace of mind for families.
Hookup placement challenges: RV campers should verify utility locations before setting up. "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.
Service availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of RV support. "There are 300 camping sites with full hookups. Very reasonably priced at $40 per night," notes a reviewer about specific amenities available for recreational vehicles at one location.
Site leveling issues: Uneven terrain affects RV setup at many locations. "So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it," reports Sara D., highlighting terrain challenges that also impact RV positioning and stabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hampstead, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hampstead, NH is Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hampstead, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Hampstead, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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