4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Based on the data provided, none of the campgrounds near North Conway, New Hampshire specifically accommodate horses. Hancock Campground, Gunstock Campground, and Freeport/Durham KOA are all listed in the JSON data, but none feature horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities. The "features" arrays for all three campgrounds explicitly indicate "NO horse-corral" as a property. While these campgrounds allow pets in general, there are no specific amenities or policies for horses mentioned in either the campground data or user reviews.
Alternative camping options would need to be researched for equestrians visiting the North Conway area. Riders planning to bring horses to the White Mountains region should contact campgrounds directly to inquire about horse-specific accommodations, trailer parking, and access to bridle trails. Some public lands in New Hampshire may permit horseback riding on designated trails, but the data provided doesn't include information about equestrian trail networks or horse-friendly backcountry camping near North Conway.
"We love the location and being at that elevation the stars are amazing at 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."
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
Check Availability"The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit! (This part is NOT for the little kids). The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early."
"The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport(home to L.L."
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
North Conway, New Hampshire offers limited equestrian-friendly camping options, with most established campgrounds lacking dedicated horse facilities. The White Mountain National Forest surrounding North Conway sits at elevations between 700-6,300 feet with a humid continental climate featuring cold winters and mild summers. Camping season typically runs April through October, though some campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services.
Hiking nearby trails: Hancock Campground provides an excellent base for accessing White Mountain hiking trails. "Just 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," notes Heather B., who adds that the campground is "well cared for and the staff was friendly."
Winter camping: While most visitors come in summer, Hancock Campground remains open year-round. "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge (there ended up being a blizzard when we got to the top) and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river," reports Molly G.
Mountain activities: Gunstock Campground offers adventure options right on-site. "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," writes Kasey H. The campground sits at the base of Gunstock Mountain Resort, making it convenient for outdoor activities in all seasons.
Riverside sites: Many campers appreciate water-adjacent camping spots. "I recommend getting a site in the river side away from the street. Absolutely beautiful!" says Lisa S. about Hancock Campground. The Pemigewasset River runs alongside many sites, creating a natural soundtrack.
Privacy options: While not all sites offer seclusion, strategic selection helps. "I would like to start by saying that camping here was not the original plan... Luckily we were only about ten minutes from one of our favorite campgrounds in New Hampshire," writes Molly G., explaining that Hancock Campground is "first come first serve and only open to the tenting community. This weeds out most screaming children, humming generators, and loud TVs."
Family-friendly amenities: The Freeport/Durham KOA receives praise for its activities. "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast. We've been coming back for years," shares Rebus B.
First-come, first-served: Plan accordingly for non-reservable campgrounds. "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," warns Tara S.
Seasonal considerations: Weather varies dramatically by season in the White Mountains. "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," reports Lindsey M. about a summer visit to Hancock.
Horse accommodations: Finding equestrian campgrounds near North Conway requires advance planning. None of the reviewed campgrounds offer horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities, making it essential to contact locations directly about trailer parking and horse accommodations before arrival.
Halloween events: Freeport/Durham KOA offers special seasonal activities. "The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating. The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit! (This part is NOT for the little kids)," advises Rebus B.
Swimming spots: Look for campgrounds with water access for hot days. At Hancock Campground, "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," writes Tara S.
Bear awareness: Keep food secure in bear country. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," notes Lindsey M. about tent sites at Hancock.
Site selection: Gunstock Campground offers various site types. "The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly," shares Ryan F. Most RV-friendly campgrounds near North Conway feature a mix of wooded and open sites.
Full hookup options: For those requiring complete RV services, choices exist within driving distance. "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet," notes JoAnne E. about Freeport/Durham KOA, which offers full hookups including 50-amp service.
Signal considerations: Cell and internet coverage varies throughout the White Mountain region. "WiFi and cell service are both spotty," warns Iris A. about the Freeport/Durham area, which could affect work-from-road capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near North Conway, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near North Conway, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near North Conway, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near North Conway, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
