Best Equestrian Camping near Lyme, NH

New Discovery State Park Campground features equestrian sites with stalls for visitors traveling with horses. Located within Groton State Forest in Vermont, approximately 60 miles west of Lyme, the campground provides dedicated horse camping options among its diverse accommodation types. The equestrian sites include stalls for secure overnight horse containment, with ample space for horse trailers. Sites throughout the campground vary significantly in size and privacy, with some nestled in wooded areas while others occupy more open, grassy fields. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy the surrounding forest. Campground amenities include drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and toilets, though maintenance of facilities can be inconsistent during busy periods.

Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the extensive network of trails within Groton State Forest. Horse owners can access Osmore Pond via trails that skirt its perimeter, offering scenic riding opportunities through varied terrain. The campground's location provides convenient access to multiple forest trails suitable for day rides of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Trailer parking is available near the equestrian sites, allowing for easy saddling and unsaddling. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with reservations recommended during peak summer months. Sites with electric hookups are available for those requiring power for horse-related equipment. The campground's layout accommodates both casual recreational riders and those planning longer trail expeditions through Vermont's scenic woodlands.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Lyme, New Hampshire (7)

    1. Hancock Campground

    28 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $30 / night

    "Luckily -- we were only about ten minutes from one of our favorite campgrounds in New Hampshire. Let me tell you why we like it so much."

    "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."

    2. Gunstock Campground

    13 Reviews
    Gilford, NH
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 737-4355

    $35 - $80 / night

    "I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."

    "Pros: 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"

    3. New Discovery State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3042

    $20 - $38 / night

    "There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.

    The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

    Not much cell service, but some in places.

    Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion."

    " There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers."

    4. Branbury State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salisbury, VT
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 247-5925

    "The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."

    "Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area.

    Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."

    5. Groton Forest Road Campground

    4 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    38 miles
    +1 (802) 426-4122

    $35 / night

    "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."

    6. Tippicanoe Campground

    1 Review
    Goshen, NH
    34 miles
    Website

    $35 - $45 / night

    7. Ramblewood Cabins and Campground

    1 Review
    Boscawen, NH
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 538-6948

    $25 - $45 / night

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lyme, NH

62 Reviews of 7 Lyme Campgrounds


  • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2024

    New Discovery State Park Campground

    Drove through on my way past

    This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay.

    There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.

    The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

    Not much cell service, but some in places.

    Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.

    Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.

  • Tina D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Semi Private Group Campground

    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. 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.

  • Carolyn S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2022

    Gunstock Campground

    Gunstock Mountain

    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.

  • C
    May. 29, 2021

    Hancock Campground

    Riverside Paradise

    Most 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Year-round campground with riverfront tent sites & standard sites

    I 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.

  • Tara S.
    Sep. 7, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Loved the Walk-In Tent Sites!

    Hancock 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.

  • Sara D.
    Aug. 24, 2020

    Gunstock Campground

    Pretty Decent Little Camping Spot

    Pros: 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!

  • M
    May. 1, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    Great location

    I 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.

  • Ann P.
    Oct. 30, 2023

    Hancock Campground

    Pretty but not clean

    Some 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.


Guide to Lyme

Horse camping in New Hampshire offers a unique way to explore the beautiful landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

  • Hancock Campground provides access to horse camping with sites that allow for easy setup and access to nearby trails.
  • Ramblewood Cabins and Campground features spacious sites and electric hookups, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
  • Gunstock Campground offers a variety of accommodations, including options for horse camping, with well-maintained facilities.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

Equestrian campers enjoy these nearby activities

  • At Hancock Campground, campers can take advantage of the nearby swimming hole and endless hiking options after a day of riding.
  • Gunstock Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking, perfect for those looking to explore the area beyond horseback riding.
  • New Discovery State Park Campground features kayaking and canoeing opportunities, allowing for a fun-filled day on the water after a ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lyme, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lyme, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lyme, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Lyme, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.