Frontier Town Campground in North Hudson offers equestrian camping opportunities within a 2-hour drive of Ferrisburg, Vermont. The Adirondack region features heavily forested terrain with numerous trails suitable for horse riding at elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during peak camping months, while fall brings cooler weather and colorful foliage changes that attract many equestrian campers.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Direct access to multiple trail systems allows riders to explore without trailering horses. At New Discovery State Park Campground, riders can access a "long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it." The park connects to various water features as noted by one camper: "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond."
Water activities after riding: Many horse campgrounds offer water recreation within a short distance. Branbury State Park Campground provides "fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals" according to one reviewer. Another visitor mentioned "across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out."
Hiking with or without horses: Trail systems throughout the region offer hiking opportunities when not riding. At AuSable Chasm Campground, visitors can experience unique geological features. One camper noted they're "across the road from the Chasm to hike, Tube down the river, raft, rock climb, adventure course." Another mentioned it's "a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Equestrian campers appreciate the generous site dimensions. At Frontier Town Campground, one visitor noted site 43 "was long enough it could have fit two of the biggest RVs I have ever seen. My 75 foot starling cable did not even reach all the way back out to the road." Another camper stated, "We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It's really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink."
Clean facilities: Many horse campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. A camper at Frontier Town observed, "The bathrooms are the cleanest I've seen so far and we do this full time." Branbury State Park receives similar praise: "Bathrooms were always clean and well maintained. Park staff very friendly!"
Variety of site types: The region offers diverse camping options for equestrians. Branbury State Park features "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." At AuSable Chasm, sites are "nestled in the very back corner which for us was exactly what we like. Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
What you should know
Limited supplies nearby: Stock up before arriving at horse campgrounds. One Frontier Town camper advised, "Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it."
Varying seasonal conditions: Weather impacts equestrian camping experiences significantly. At Groton Forest Road Campground, seasonal camping is popular but requires planning. Reservations are "def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in many horse camping areas. A Branbury camper warned: "Just make sure you put your food and trash away - there are black bears in the area!" Similarly, at New Discovery State Park: "There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here."
Tips for camping with families
Look for family amenities: Choose campgrounds with features beyond equestrian facilities. Branbury State Park offers "a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits."
Water recreation options: Select locations with swimming areas safe for children. Groton Forest Road Campground has a "lake [that] was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use."
Check bathroom facilities: Family-friendly horse campgrounds have well-maintained restrooms. At New Discovery State Park, "Park staff were attentive and restrooms were being cleaned with frequency." However, one visitor cautioned that occasionally facilities might have issues: "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for satellite users: For those requiring internet while camping with horses, choose open sites. At Frontier Town, the equestrian area is "really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection."
Water access considerations: Check water hookup compatibility before arrival. At New Discovery State Park, "the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results." The camper found a solution: "We could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
Site layout evaluation: Pay attention to how sites are configured. One Frontier Town camper observed: "Sites are built wrong so it is hard to get you camper into your site correct." Another noted the varying layout: "I drove through the equestrian loop and found it very confusing. Lots of fences and shared pedestals."
