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Best Equestrian Camping near Center Sandwich, NH

45 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Equestrian camping options near Center Sandwich, New Hampshire are limited, with none of the reviewed campgrounds featuring dedicated horse corrals or specific equestrian facilities. Gunstock Campground in Gilford offers the most developed camping experience with 250 sites accommodating tents, RVs, and cabins. While not specifically designed for horses, the campground provides water hookups, electric service, and sewer connections that benefit all campers. The campground maintains clean amenities and large campsites with some situated in wooded areas offering more privacy. Most sites are well-maintained with picnic tables and fire rings, though campers note that many of the RV sites are in open areas with limited separation between neighbors.

Trails throughout the White Mountains region provide riding opportunities, though equestrians must research specific trail regulations as many have usage restrictions. Hancock Campground, while lacking horse-specific amenities, offers riverside camping with access to the surrounding White Mountain National Forest trail system. The first-come, first-served campground includes walk-in tent sites along the Pemigewasset River and standard drive-in sites. Campers seeking horse-friendly accommodations should contact facilities directly before arrival to confirm current equestrian policies, trailer parking availability, and nearby riding trail access. The regional campgrounds offer clean facilities with flush toilets available at some locations, though no dedicated equine wash stations or specialized horse camping areas were identified in the provided campground data.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Center Sandwich, New Hampshire (4)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Center Sandwich, NH

45 Reviews of 4 Center Sandwich Campgrounds

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gunstock Campground

    Great Spot

    Fairly 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.

  • 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 Center Sandwich

Equestrian camping near Center Sandwich, New Hampshire presents challenges due to limited dedicated horse facilities in the area. Located within the Lakes Region at approximately 600 feet elevation, Center Sandwich sits between the White Mountains to the north and Lake Winnipesaukee to the south, experiencing seasonal temperature variations from below freezing in winter to 80°F in summer months. Most campers must contact individual campgrounds in advance to discuss horse trailer parking and trail access.

What to do

Trail riding near Gunstock: The region offers access to trail systems though riders should verify horse access before arrival. Gunstock Campground provides a convenient base with "lots of trails on edge of the grounds" according to Sara D., who notes the "quick access to some of NH's most beautiful mountains."

Fishing opportunities: Bring fishing gear when staying at horse-friendly campgrounds. Tippicanoe Campground sits beside Rand Pond which is "stocked with rainbow trout by the State of NH and is a spring fed sandy bottom pond," according to David G.

Winter horse camping: For cold-weather enthusiasts, some campgrounds remain accessible year-round. Heather B. reports "Awesome winter camping" at Hancock Campground, noting "Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites."

What campers like

River access for horses: Water access for animals is important for equestrian campers. At Hancock Campground, Mike M. appreciates the "Beautiful area adjacent to the river. Set up a hammock on the shoreline and have a tasty beverage before bed."

Privacy between sites: Horse campers need space, and some areas provide better separation. Melissa B. recommends specific sites at Gunstock Campground: "I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?) and then I believe sites 203 and 205 were nice and tucked away in the trees as well."

Clean facilities: Maintaining hygiene during horse camping trips requires adequate facilities. Ryan P. appreciates the "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need" at Gunstock Campground.

What you should know

Seasonal bee activity: Summer campers with horses should be prepared for insects. One Hancock camper warns, "Our site was completely swarmed with bees... They were the worst on our last day... they were unbearable and we had a couple stings, so we rushed to pack up and left early."

Terrain challenges: Many sites have uneven ground that affects tent and trailer setup. Sara D. noted at Ramblewood Cabins and Campground: "So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it."

Seasonal campground availability: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Kim O. values that Hancock Campground is "Open year round!! I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter (it is so nice to have an open bathroom in the winter!)."

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites away from noise: When camping with horses and children, quieter areas provide better rest. Tara S. advises at Tippicanoe Campground: "Everything is immaculate from the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds so you can relax and know that the kids are safe."

Pack-in preparation: Some prime sites require carrying gear. Lindsey M. explains: "These sites were carry-in only, which wasn't convenient, and it was a lot of work to carry all of our gear from the parking lot to the site (the main part of the path was a hill)."

Water activities: Campgrounds with swimming areas provide after-ride recreation. David G. notes Tippicanoe offers a "beautiful beach, trout stocked pond and all ammenities."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for horse trailers: RVers with horse trailers should seek specific sites. Ryan F. found at Ramblewood Cabins and Campground that "The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly."

Hookup availability: Confirm utilities when bringing horses and RVs. Tippicanoe Campground offers comprehensive hookups as David G. confirms: "The sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds."

Security features: Horse owners value secure facilities. Christine M. appreciated that "It was so quiet at night!" at Gunstock, while Tippicanoe provides a gated environment that many equestrian campers prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Center Sandwich, NH?

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

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

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

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