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Equestrian Camping near North Stratford, NH

4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    New Discovery State Park Campground includes equestrian sites with stalls for campers traveling with horses. Located within Vermont's Groton State Forest, the campground provides dedicated horse camping areas approximately 65 miles from North Stratford, New Hampshire. The park features clean bathhouses, potable water, and coin-operated showers. Camping sites vary considerably throughout the park, with some situated in wooded areas and others in open fields. The equestrian campsites provide essential amenities for horse owners including toilet facilities and picnic tables. Sites have adequate separation for privacy between neighboring campers and their horses. The grounds are regularly maintained, though bathroom supplies occasionally need attention during busy periods.

    Several hiking trails are accessible directly from the campground, allowing horse owners convenient access to riding opportunities. The park connects to a long rail trail system where riders can cover significant distances through Vermont's scenic landscapes. Nearby water access is available at multiple ponds, including Osmore Pond, Kettle Pond, and Ricker Pond, providing horses with water sources during rides. Trailhead access is conveniently situated near the equestrian camping areas. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays when the campground frequently reaches capacity. The park charges $28 per night plus a $5 daily fee per adult for state park access. While portable water is available throughout the grounds, RV owners should note that spigots are not threaded for direct connection to water systems.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near North Stratford (4)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Hancock Campground

      4.1(27)48mi from North Stratford56 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      2. Haystack Road

      4.0(5)34mi from North Stratford

      "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."

      3. New Discovery State Park Campground

      4.0(6)44mi from North StratfordRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $20 - $38 / night

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      4. Groton Forest Road Campground

      4.0(4)43mi from North StratfordRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $35 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near North Stratford, NH

    42 Reviews of 4 North Stratford Campgrounds

    • Miccal M.
      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.

    • 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.The Dyrt PRO User
      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.

    • 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.

    • Sarah C.
      Apr. 1, 2021

      New Discovery State Park Campground

      Interesting State Park

      This state park has a little bit of everything. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without. Some sites are in the middle of a grassy field while others are tucked in the trees. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground. There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other. The campground loops have bath houses, complete with coin operated showers. Park staff were attentive and restrooms were being cleaned with frequency. 

      There are more remote walk-in shelters on the Osmore Pond, located within New Discovery State Park. The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables. The remote sites are spaced nicely around the pond along a hiking trail that skirts the perimeter. The walk from the parking area to the shelters varies, depending what side of the pond you are camping on. If bringing a full-sized cooler(or other large/luxury car camping items) be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get some of those larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot.

    • 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.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 7, 2024

      Hancock Campground

      A little cramped, great location though

      Open 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

    Guide to North Stratford

    Groton State Forest offers one of Vermont's most accessible horse camping experiences within 65 miles of North Stratford, New Hampshire. The forest spans 26,000 acres of northeastern Vermont wilderness with several campgrounds serving equestrian needs. The region experiences cool nights even in summer with temperatures frequently dropping below 50°F, while daytime highs rarely exceed 85°F during peak season.

    What to do

    Trail riding access: The campground connects to an extensive rail trail system that spans throughout Groton State Forest. According to Rick S., "Awesome state park. Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it. Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions."

    Water activities: Numerous ponds provide both swimming and water access. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene, beautiful! can't wait to go back!" shares Sambath T. from New Discovery State Park Campground.

    Winter camping: While many campgrounds close seasonally, some remain open year-round. "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," reports Heather B. about winter camping at Hancock Campground.

    What campers like

    Varied site options: Sites range from open fields to densely wooded areas. Miccal M. noted, "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."

    Remote water-access sites: Some campgrounds offer boat-in only sites for added seclusion. "The remote sites are spaced nicely around the pond along a hiking trail that skirts the perimeter. The walk from the parking area to the shelters varies, depending what side of the pond you are camping on," explains Sarah C. from Groton Forest Road Campground.

    Natural settings: The natural environment provides ample wildlife viewing. Rick S. describes, "We stayed at the Eagle leanto and is perfect for hanging multiple hammocks. There were squirrels that would spend lots of time throughout the day sending loose the green pine cones and then come down and chew them up."

    What you should know

    Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance can be inconsistent during busy periods. Robin B. mentions, "The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest. My complaint is in regards to the maintenance of the facilities. The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced."

    Water connections: RVers should be prepared for non-standard water connections. Laura M. advises, "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results. Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station."

    Insect concerns: During certain seasons, insects can affect camping enjoyment. Lindsey M. warns, "Big negative: 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. They were the worst on our last day."

    Tips for camping with families

    Bear safety: The region has active bear populations requiring proper food storage. Laura M. cautions, "There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here. They have food compost bins here, but the rangers keep forgetting to unlock the bin, so you just have to ask them."

    Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on your specific camping needs. Tara S. suggests, "Hancock Campground is a five-minute drive from Lincoln, NH, and very close to awesome hiking trails. We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."

    Seasonal advantages: Consider off-season visits for more seclusion. "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," recommends Molly G.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Sites vary dramatically in size and levelness throughout the forest. Laura M. notes, "Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you."

    Reservation planning: Weekend availability is limited, especially for equestrian campers. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," advises Saige V.

    Amenities management: Plan for coin-operated facilities. Laura M. shares, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only. The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near North Stratford, NH?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near North Stratford, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 27 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near North Stratford, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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