5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse camping opportunities near Sunapee, New Hampshire are limited according to available data. None of the campgrounds in the immediate Sunapee area offer dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities. Gunstock Campground in Gilford provides camping options with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins across its 250 sites, but does not feature horse-specific amenities. The campground maintains clean facilities with spacious sites that accommodate various camping styles, though none are specifically designed for equestrian use. Campers report the grounds are well-kept with wooded areas in the Breezy Knolls section offering more privacy than open field sites.
Primitive horse camping may require traveling beyond the immediate Sunapee region to find suitable accommodations. While Tippicanoe Campground and Ramblewood Cabins offer camping options with full hookups and amenities for general camping, neither provides horse corrals or bridle trail access directly from the grounds. Gunstock Mountain Resort features extensive trail systems primarily used for hiking and mountain biking rather than horseback riding. Equestrians planning trips to the region should contact campgrounds directly to inquire about potential horse accommodations or trailer parking, as most established campgrounds in the area focus on traditional camping experiences without specific equine facilities.
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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 park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
"Each site had a fair amount of isolation and trees surrounding it, and the mosquitoes aren't too bad there either. 10 minutes away is the trail head for the Bucklin Trail (one of the most difficult trails"
from $125 - $500 / night
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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.
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.
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!
ScoutWhen camping in VT it is usually our goal to hike, rest, cook, and relax at camp. We live in a busy/loud city so we really love a rural spot where we can just unplug and enjoy nature. Gifford Woods has great access to the AT and the Long Trail, nice bathrooms, and kind staff... but campers beware- it is wedged between two major highways. Initially we pulled up to the site "Poplar" after driving 4+ hours and I could have cried, this site faces a large DOT/Parks Dept. parking lot with a huge building and trucks everywhere. Luckily the (very sweet) staff said they understood that this was an issue and that they do get lots of complaints about that site. They moved us to T02 which was dramatically better. Unfortunately, you can still hear trucks/car honking/ambulances from that site and I assume all other sites. I understand now that people camp here just for AT access, but I would probably not go back due to the sheer volume of the neighboring highways and quieter camping options nearby.
ScoutI've stayed at 10 of the state parks of VT. Gifford Woods takes the cake in friendliness of its staff. The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas. Cool stone bathrooms and playing fields for kids but the highlight (for me) is access to the Appalachian Trail. The AT runs directly through this park. While on a 4 state section hike I traveled by foot through this park. The ranger gave me an ice cream, pointed me to the showers and then chatted with me for an hour about my hike so far. He also gave me a ride to the Inn at Long Trail to pick up a resupply box since I was a few days behind schedule and low on food. I'll always remember his kindness. Living just across the state line in NH, I have frequented Gifford Woods on 4 other occasions for day hiking with family. Enjoy! I sure did!
GuideThis campsite was amazing. Each site had a fair amount of isolation and trees surrounding it, and the mosquitoes aren't too bad there either. 10 minutes away is the trail head for the Bucklin Trail (one of the most difficult trails for Mt. Killington).
Also, the campsite lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so for a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby.
RangerGreat campground with many hiking trails and a peaceful pond with fishing across the street. Clean bathrooms and showers and great cell service for people working while camping! Stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious but pretty close to neighbors compared to other sites. Then we moved to lean to ELM in the upper campground and it was a nice private site. It was perched on a hill but we were still able to park and sleep in our van next to the lean to. Highly recommend!
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!
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.**
Camping options near Sunapee, New Hampshire cluster around Lake Sunapee and the surrounding White Mountain foothills at elevations between 1,000-1,400 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Winter camping remains available at select year-round facilities, though most campgrounds operate May through October.
Hiking at Gunstock Mountain: Gunstock Campground provides direct access to extensive trail networks suitable for all skill levels. "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," reports Carolyn S.
Water activities on Rand Pond: Tippicanoe Campground features a spring-fed, sandy-bottom pond stocked with rainbow trout by the State of NH. The pond restricts watercraft to under 10 HP boats, making it ideal for fishing and peaceful paddling.
Adventure attractions: For families seeking thrills, Gunstock offers developed recreational options beyond natural attractions. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," notes Kasey H.
Clean facilities: Tippicanoe Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards. David G. explains, "This campground is run by a very pleasant couple who take great pride in this property. Everything is immaculate from the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds so you can relax and know that the kids are safe."
Quiet atmosphere: Gunstock Campground offers a peaceful environment despite its recreational amenities. Ryan F. shares, "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet. Check in was quick and friendly. All other guests were friendly as well."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room to spread out at several area campgrounds. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" reports Anne G. about Ramblewood Cabins and Campground.
Site selection matters: For those seeking privacy, choose locations carefully. "Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs, but if tent camping you won't really have any privacy in those locations. I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?)," advises Melissa B.
Root systems: Natural terrain challenges exist at some forested sites. Sara D. notes, "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."
Equestrian camping limitations: Horse camping near Sunapee, New Hampshire requires advance planning. While standard facilities like Tippicanoe offer full hookups with water and 50-amp service, none provide dedicated horse corrals or equestrian facilities. Riders must contact campgrounds individually to inquire about trailer parking or temporary paddock options.
Kid-friendly amenities: Gunstock Campground offers family-oriented facilities. "The camp store has most everything you could need, and the campground is gated so you have to make sure you keep your key card with you whenever leaving in order to get back in," explains Melissa B., adding details about the "fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities."
Activity planning: NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins provides glamping and cabin options for families seeking alternative accommodations to traditional tent camping. Their walk-in sites offer drinking water, firewood, toilets and showers.
Noise considerations: Be aware of recreational facility sounds when selecting sites. "There is a zip line course and a metal 'slide' or coaster behind the Breezy Knolls area which can get kind of noisy between the sounds of the gear and the kids screaming. Lol. But it didn't really bother me personally."
Full hookup availability: RVers benefit from complete services at several area campgrounds. Tippicanoe Campground offers sites with "water, 50amp and sewer hookups" according to David G., who notes the campground has "Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds."
Location advantages: RV campers appreciate Gunstock's strategic position. "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni," states Ryan P. who gave the campground five stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sunapee, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sunapee, NH is Tippicanoe Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sunapee, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Sunapee, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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