6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
While no horse-friendly campgrounds with dedicated equestrian facilities appear in the data for Pike, New Hampshire, several horse camping options exist in surrounding areas. Hancock Campground offers year-round camping with riverside tent sites and standard campsites suitable for vehicles, though it lacks specific horse corrals or designated equestrian areas. The campground features both drive-in and walk-in access, with tent and RV accommodations available. Bear boxes are provided at riverfront sites, and the campground maintains flush toilets during warmer months, reverting to vault toilets in winter.
Located along the Kancamagus Highway near Lincoln Woods Visitors' Center, Hancock Campground provides convenient access to numerous hiking trails in White Mountain National Forest. Sites are first-come, first-served, with fees collected via an iron ranger (cash or check only). The nearby Pemigewasset River allows for swimming and wading opportunities during summer months. Horse owners seeking dedicated equestrian camping would need to venture beyond the immediate Pike area, as the available campgrounds like Gunstock Campground and Tippicanoe Campground, while pet-friendly, don't specifically advertise horse-related amenities such as corrals, trailer parking, or access to bridle trails according to the provided data.
"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"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
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."
"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
"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 Availabilityfrom $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability
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.
LegendThis 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.
RangerThis 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.
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.
TravelerMost 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.
LegendI 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.
LegendHancock 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.
ScoutI 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.
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!
Camping in the White Mountain National Forest region near Pike, New Hampshire offers diverse terrain ranging from riverside lowlands to forested hills at elevations between 500-1,500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with peak camping months from May through October when temperatures range from 40-80°F. Winter camping remains available at select locations with modified facilities and requires additional cold-weather preparation.
Explore mountain trails: At Hancock Campground, campers can access multiple hiking paths in White Mountain National Forest. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites... I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter (it is so nice to have an open bathroom in the winter!) and a few times in the summer," notes camper Kim O.
Enjoy water activities: Riverside camping provides swimming and fishing opportunities during summer months. "The river access was great, though the water was very low. We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car," explains Lindsey M. about her riverside experience at Hancock Campground.
Try winter camping: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some sites remain open year-round for cold-weather enthusiasts. "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," reports Heather B. about Hancock Campground's winter accommodation options.
River sound ambiance: Waterside sites prove popular for their natural soundtrack. At Hancock Campground, Mike M. shares, "Great for primitive camping. Beautiful area adjacent to the river. Set up a hammock on the shoreline and have a tasty beverage before bed."
Secluded pond sites: For those seeking quieter alternatives to riverside camping, New Discovery State Park offers unique water access. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene. beautiful!" explains Sambath T.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value well-separated camping spots. At New Discovery State Park, Sarah C. notes, "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."
Bear safety precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region. "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," explains Lindsey M. from her Hancock Campground stay.
Seasonal bathroom facilities: Bathroom access varies significantly by season. "The campground also has flush toilets, which was a big plus, since most other campgrounds in the area only have vault toilets. There were vault ones near our site, but I preferred to walk a bit further to the flush ones," notes Lindsey M.
Insect considerations: Bug activity can impact camping experiences in certain areas. "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, including all over the cars in the lot," warns Lindsey M. about her riverfront experience at Gunstock Campground.
Site selection strategy: Choose camping locations based on specific family needs. At Gunstock Campground, Sara D. advises, "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!"
Pack-in considerations: Plan accordingly for walk-in sites when camping with children. At Groton Forest Road Campground, Sarah C. recommends, "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."
Activity options: Seek campgrounds with built-in recreational facilities. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," notes Reid B. about his experience at Groton Forest Road Campground.
Equestrian accommodations: Horse campgrounds near Pike, New Hampshire remain limited, with most sites focusing on general camping rather than specialized equestrian facilities. While Tippicanoe Campground allows pets, it lacks dedicated horse corrals or trailer parking that equestrian campers would require.
Water hookup challenges: RV water connections can present unexpected difficulties. At New Discovery State Park, Laura M. shares, "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 and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
Seasonal variations: RV services change based on time of year. "The campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August," notes Tara S. about her Hancock Campground experience, highlighting the importance of planning ahead during peak months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pike, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pike, NH is Hancock Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pike, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Pike, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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