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NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins accommodates equestrians with dedicated horse facilities near Cavendish, Vermont. The property features multiple horse-friendly cabin options alongside traditional tent sites and glamping accommodations. Horses are permitted throughout the grounds with designated areas for tethering and care. The campground provides drinking water access for both campers and horses, with picnic tables at each site. Campfires are allowed with firewood available for purchase on-site. The grounds maintain clean toilet facilities and shower access for overnight guests. Spacious sites allow adequate room for horse trailers while maintaining privacy between camping areas. The campground enforces proper manure management to maintain cleanliness.
Trail access connects riders directly to surrounding forest paths suitable for various experience levels. The property's location offers convenient access to multiple riding routes through the Vermont countryside. Water crossings and varied terrain provide diverse riding experiences directly from the campground. Trailer parking accommodates rigs of various sizes with pull-through options available. The campground remains open seasonally with weather-dependent trail conditions affecting accessibility. Riders appreciate the well-maintained paths and clearly marked routes accessible from the property. The market at the campground stocks basic supplies for both riders and horses. Reservations are required, with specific policies regarding horse management and campsite cleanup. The grounds enforce quiet hours while allowing responsible alcohol consumption for adult guests.
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
from $125 - $500 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability
LegendPlenty of space between sites. Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont. The (AT&T) cell phone reception was pretty good, but could be slow at times (which could be because of the area or because of the busy fall color season.)
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 campground is the number one rated in Vermont for a reason. The staff were wonderful, the sites are pristine and picturesque, the faculties are decorated with wildflowers. We met a number of AT through hikers, who were very willing to share their adventure stories.
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.
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!
TravelerI will start with the ONLY drawback, and it is dramatic at best. For like 30 minutes a day at around 5pm (I was there Thursday to Monday) you would hear (pistol) gun fire. Its most annoying the first day, then you get over it.
Moving on…
This is absolutely the best kept and cleanest campground I’ve ever been to.
The staff… ALL amazing, always cheerful, helpful and seemingly happy to be there! (I encountered cleaning, maintenance, desk, and store staff!)
The smaller loop is newest, and if you can handle camps being tightly spaced, you’ll get prime access to the seemingly brand new facilities which i always found to be clean and tidy (and bug free with decent toilet paper). The showers were nicely sized, immediately hot and the cost/time is generous!
The larger, upper loop has hugely spaced out spots that are more open due to less undergrowth, but still seem private as i walked by them on my way to the Appalachian trail access, halfway up the large loop.
Simply awesome easy-ish trails in both directions. Expect a 2 mile trip either direction to see cool stuff (see bottom for notes)
Wood is great, slow burning, large pieces for $6 a bundle, which are generous in size.
NOTES I came across (polite and private) families and happy dogs (surprisingly mostly well behaved, one off leash on a trail but still friendly).
Edit: Turns out my battery died while i was here AND THEY HELPED ME JUMPSTART IT! 🥰🥰🥰
LegendThe campground at Gifford Woods State Park is a hiker's campground for sure. The sites are large, private, and wooded, and there are clean restrooms with hot showers. The highlight is the hiking, both in the park and just outside of it.
The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground. Nearby hikes include the Bucklin Trail to the top of Killington, Sherburne Pass to Pico Peak, and Canty Trail to Blue Ridge Mountain. So many choices!
We stayed in the Elm lean-to, which sits up on a wooded hill. The only down side is that the lean-to opening faces the road instead of the woods, which would have been better for privacy. A minor issue, though.
Apple and Hemlock are awesome lean-tos if you can get them!
TravelerHad an amazing time at Branbury. The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean.
There was plenty of space between sites so it didn’t feel like you were on top of each other. Bathrooms are flushing compost. However, there are only four showers for the whole campground.
Book early if you want to get a site with a lean-to!
Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night! A five minute hike- though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike- from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole.
Just make sure you put your food and trash away- there are black bears in the area!
NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins provides equestrian-friendly accommodations in the Connecticut River Valley near Cavendish, Vermont. Located at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes with colorful fall foliage and winter snow accumulation averaging 65-80 inches annually. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest offers over 400,000 acres of wilderness with numerous designated horse trails connecting to private campgrounds.
Trail riding excursions: Multiple interconnected horse trails provide varied terrain experiences around Cavendish. Branbury State Park Campground offers "access to some of the best hiking and paddling in the state," according to M.A.D. P., who notes many visitors arrive without reservations during holiday weekends.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature natural water features for cooling off after rides. At Branbury State Park Campground, Nicole E. describes "access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night! A five minute hike- though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike- from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole."
Fishing trips: Stocked ponds and natural waterways provide fishing opportunities throughout the region. Tippicanoe Campground features "a beautiful beach, trout stocked pond and all amenities," according to David G., who adds that "Rand Pond is the body of water at the campground and is restricted to under 10 HP boats. It is stocked with rainbow trout by the State of NH and is a spring fed sandy bottom pond."
Spacious sites: Horse-friendly campgrounds near Cavendish prioritize adequate spacing between sites. Catherine M. notes that at Branbury State Park, "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they aren't super far from one another, they are large enough that they seem further than they are. Nice beautiful wooded area, we were able to put a tent and hang a hammock for sleeping."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and shower facilities receive consistent positive feedback. Macie reports about her Vermont state park experience: "The bathrooms were super nice, the campground itself was really clean too! This was definitely our favorite campsite we've ever been to thus far."
Natural surroundings: The Vermont countryside provides a scenic backdrop for equestrian camping. Ramblewood Cabins and Campground receives praise from Anne G. who has "stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" She particularly notes the "spacious with views" setting that complements trail riding activities.
Bear safety protocols: Proper food storage is essential when camping with horses and humans. Lisa S. warns that at Branbury State Park Campground, "There are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly. My family loves camping here."
Seasonal considerations: Vermont's climate affects trail conditions throughout the year. Stephen T. shares that even "in August the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time" at mountainside campsites, making summer an ideal time for equestrian camping trips.
Reservation requirements: Many horse campgrounds near Cavendish require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Desiree V. recommends planning ahead: "Such a beautiful place to stay! We stayed in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on. The beach was nearby and included in the stay."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreational options beyond horseback riding. J L. reports that Branbury State Park offers "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits."
Educational opportunities: Several equestrian campgrounds incorporate learning experiences about horses and local ecology. Trip Over Life describes their experience: "Another beautiful state park. There are approximately 50 campsites split across two areas. One section is heavily wooded and the other is an open grassy area near the shore of Lake Dunmore."
Safety considerations: Families camping with horses should prioritize sites with adequate supervision areas. At Tippicanoe Campground, David G. appreciates that "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."
Hookup availability: RV accommodations vary widely among equestrian campgrounds. At some locations, Trip Over Life reports, "No hookups are available but there is a dump station and a bathroom facility with paid showers," while others offer partial or full connections.
Site dimensions: Verify your rig fits comfortably alongside horse trailers. David G. notes some campgrounds feature sites that "all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds where you are not far from the beautiful beach."
Access challenges: Mountain roads can present navigation difficulties for larger rigs. Ryan simply states the appeal of timing: "Fall in New England can't be beat," but RVers should research road conditions before attempting autumn visits to higher elevation horse campgrounds near Cavendish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cavendish, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cavendish, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cavendish, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Cavendish, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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