4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Near Ludlow, Vermont, horse camping options are limited with no dedicated equestrian facilities found in the immediate area. The closest accommodations that may potentially accept horses include Branbury State Park Campground and Tippicanoe Campground, though neither explicitly advertises horse-specific amenities such as corrals or paddocks. Branbury State Park offers spacious campsites with access to hiking trails, but equestrians must check with park management regarding specific horse policies before arrival. The park features both wooded and open field camping areas, and reviews note the large lot sizes that provide ample space, though horse-specific infrastructure is not mentioned in available data.
Located approximately 30 miles from Ludlow, Tippicanoe Campground provides full hookup sites that accommodate RVs and tents, with clean facilities and access to Rand Pond. Horse owners planning to camp in the region should contact campgrounds directly to confirm current equestrian policies, as requirements may include proof of negative Coggins tests and adherence to manure management protocols. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest offers multiple trail systems that permit horseback riding on designated routes, though trailer parking may be limited at some trailheads. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring typically presenting muddy terrain unsuitable for horses while fall offers optimal riding weather with minimal insects and cooler temperatures.
"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."
"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 $35 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $125 - $500 / 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!
Horse camping options near Ludlow, Vermont are limited but available in the surrounding region. Riders can find accommodations within a 30-40 mile radius that cater to equestrian needs with varying degrees of specialized amenities. The Green Mountain region provides diverse terrain for trail riding, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet and a mix of wooded trails and open fields.
Trail riding at Rattlesnake Mountain: Branbury State Park Campground provides access to popular hiking trails that can accommodate horses in certain sections. "I've been here dozens of times, grew up going here every year and hiking rattlesnake. We make the trip from RI. Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area," notes Stephen T.
Fishing excursions: Bring fishing gear when staying at Tippicanoe Campground, which offers access to a well-stocked pond. "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," explains David G.
Water activities: Multiple water-based recreation options exist at Branbury State Park Campground, giving campers alternatives to horseback riding. "Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," says J L.
Spacious sites: The generous lot sizes at Branbury State Park Campground provide ample room for horse trailers and equipment. Catherine M. confirms, "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they arent 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: Equestrian campers appreciate well-maintained bathroom facilities after trail riding. According to macie, "The bathrooms were super nice, the campground itself was really clean too! This was definitely our favorite campsite we've ever been to this far."
Variety of terrain: NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins offers equestrian-friendly accommodations with access to diverse riding environments. The property features both wooded and open terrain suitable for different riding experiences, with direct access to trails from the property.
Bear awareness: Proper food storage is essential when horse camping in this region. Nicole E. warns, "Just make sure you put your food and trash away- there are black bears in the area!" This applies to both human food and horse feed, which should be stored in sealed containers.
Limited availability: Reserve well in advance for equestrian-friendly sites. "We showed up on a busy Memorial Day weekend without reservations and the staff was kind enough to give us their last leanto," reports M.A.D. P. when discussing Branbury State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Trail conditions vary significantly by season, with fall offering optimal riding weather. Ryan simply states, "Fall in New England can't be beat," highlighting the preferred season for equestrian activities in the region.
Beach access for non-riders: Families with mixed interests benefit from campgrounds with swimming areas. Lisa S. describes, "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available."
Playground facilities: Children can enjoy dedicated play areas at some campgrounds. J L. notes that Branbury has "A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits. Definitely will be returning!"
Nature education: Branbury State Park Campground offers educational opportunities alongside horse camping. "Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," shares J L., providing alternatives for family members not participating in trail rides.
Full hookup availability: Tippicanoe Campground offers complete services for RV campers traveling with horses. David G. confirms, "The sites 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, trout stocked pond and all ammenities."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to bathrooms or natural features. Stephen T. cautions, "I guess only negative thing to say is they changed the site numbers years back and we thought we booked the best site next to the River from past experiences but it was the one next to the bathrooms after they changed the site numbers without a warning."
Seasonal RV considerations: Temperature variations affect camping comfort throughout the season. Stephen T. advises, "Even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time," which benefits both human campers and horses requiring comfortable overnight conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ludlow, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Ludlow, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
