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Gunstock Campground accommodates horses on its 250-site property in Gilford, New Hampshire, approximately 50 miles from Jackson. For equestrian campers, the campground offers large pull-through sites designed to fit horse trailers, creek-side spots with natural water access for horses, and wooded sites in the Breezy Knolls section where K01-K17 provide added seclusion. The campground features a mix of tent, RV, and cabin sites with varying levels of privacy. Sites 254 and 255 are situated along a creek, providing natural water access for horses. The campground maintains clean facilities including showers, flush toilets, and a camp store stocked with essential supplies. Horse owners appreciate the gated entrance system that provides security for valuable equine equipment and trailers.
Located near Lake Winnipesaukee, Gunstock offers extensive trail access directly from the campground property. Riders can explore numerous hiking and biking paths that connect to the broader trail network. The campground's proximity to Gunstock Mountain Resort provides additional recreational opportunities, with discounted adventure activities available to registered campers. Large pull-through sites accommodate horse trailers, though reservations are strongly recommended during peak seasons. The campground remains relatively quiet at night despite daytime activities, creating a peaceful environment for horses. Sites near water features provide natural drinking sources, while the open field areas offer convenient trailer parking with easy access to amenities.
"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"It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing."
"They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free."
"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
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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.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
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
Gunstock Campground in Gilford, New Hampshire offers equestrian-friendly accommodations within 50 miles of Jackson. The facility sits at an elevation of approximately 700 feet in the Lakes Region, offering cooler temperatures than the surrounding lowlands during summer months. This 250-site property accommodates various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin options with dedicated horse-friendly sites.
Trail riding from camp: Riders at Gunstock can access extensive trail systems directly from their sites. According to camper Melissa B., "There is a zip line course and a metal 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."
Mountain adventure discounts: Gunstock Campground offers special rates for campers using the mountain resort facilities. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," notes Kasey H.
Riverside swimming: At Hancock Campground, equestrians appreciate the natural water features. Tara S. describes, "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area." This provides a refreshing option after trail riding activities.
Creek-side horse sites: Sites positioned along water features provide natural drinking access for horses and pleasant ambient sounds. Carolyn S. shares, "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."
Secure facilities: The gated entrance system mentioned by Sara D. provides valuable security: "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." This feature offers peace of mind for horse owners with valuable equipment.
Off-season solitude: For equestrians seeking quieter trail experiences, timing matters. Molly G. notes about Hancock Campground, "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river. It was amazing."
Site selection strategy: When booking horse-friendly sites near Jackson, consider your proximity preferences. Ryan F. explains, "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet." Meanwhile, at Hancock, Elliott B. advises, "You'll probably want to be closer to the river because there is traffic along the road."
Insect considerations: Be prepared for potential insect activity during certain seasons. One Hancock camper noted, "Our site was completely swarmed with bees. We checked a few vacant sites to see if maybe it was just our site, but we found them all around, including all over the cars in the lot. They calmed down in the evening once it got chilly."
Reservation timing: For equestrian camping in the White Mountains region, early booking is essential. Kim O. shares about Hancock Campground, "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites. Some lovely spots by the water. Open year round!! I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter."
Bring equipment carriers: For sites requiring equipment transport, prepare accordingly. A Hancock visitor recommends, "We'd likely stay here again if something was done about the swarms of bees, and would probably bring some sort of cart to get our stuff from the car to the site."
Site privacy considerations: When booking with children and horses, evaluate separation between sites. Sara D. observes at Gunstock, "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!"
Amenities for children: Horse campgrounds with additional facilities keep younger family members engaged. Christine M. shares about Gunstock Campground, "We enjoyed this campground! The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock."
Winter accessibility: For off-season equestrian camping, check winter-friendly campgrounds. Heather B. explains, "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites. The campgrounds were well cared for and the staff was friendly."
Campground store provisions: When traveling with horses near Jackson, supply access matters. Ryan P. notes about Gunstock, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni."
Site terrain awareness: When booking RV sites for horse trailers, consider the ground conditions. A Gunstock visitor mentioned, "So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it." This terrain consideration applies to trailer parking areas as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Jackson, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Jackson, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Jackson, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Jackson, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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