Best Equestrian Camping near Townshend Lake

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins near Townshend Lake, Vermont accommodates equestrians with tent sites and cabin options in a rustic setting. The property features areas for horses, though it lacks formal corrals according to current data. The campground permits both alcohol and fires, provides firewood on-site, and maintains a picnic table at each campsite. Several sites near Townshend Lake, Vermont are featured on The Dyrt. Guests access their sites by hiking or walking in rather than driving directly to campsites. The property maintains basic amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities. Market provisions are available on the grounds for campers needing supplies.

Located within reasonable distance of riding trails, NV Farms serves as a basecamp for equestrians exploring the Vermont countryside. The property's natural setting accommodates glamping options alongside traditional tent camping and cabin rentals. Campground regulations allow pets, which complements its horse-friendly status. Reservations are required for securing sites at this established campground. The facilities provide essential comfort with trash collection services and maintained grounds. For equestrians seeking more developed options with hookups, nearby Tippicanoe Campground in New Hampshire offers full-service RV sites with water, electric, and sewer connections, though reviews indicate it primarily serves RV campers rather than focusing on equestrian facilities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Townshend Lake (3)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Townshend Lake

19 Reviews of 3 Townshend Lake Campgrounds


  • Meghan B.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 10, 2023

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Gifford Woods State Park - October 2023

    Plenty 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.)

  • S
    Jun. 23, 2016

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Cleanest, friendliest VT state park!

    I'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!

  • T
    Jun. 20, 2018

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Pristine site in a gorgeous mountain campground

    This 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.

  • Elena A.
    Nov. 6, 2025

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Highway Adjacent But Good Hiking Access

    When 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.

  • Kyle R.
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Awesome Campsite - Highly Recommend

    This 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.

  • Katy Z.
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Loved this campground!

    Great 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!

  • Peter G.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Absolutely awesome! Edited!

    I 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! 🥰🥰🥰

  • Tara S.The Dyrt Pro User
    Sep. 23, 2020

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Quiet site with great hiking nearby

    The 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!

  • Sarah E.
    Aug. 18, 2016

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Gifford

    Good trip. Wished there was better swimming nearby. Great trail to Deers Leap overlook. I think the Apple leanto site is the best in the camp!


Guide to Townshend Lake

NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins provides equestrian-friendly camping near Townshend Lake in Vermont's Green Mountain region. The property sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation and experiences typical New England seasonal changes with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The area features mixed hardwood forests with maple, birch, and oak trees that create vibrant foliage displays in autumn.

What to do

Trail riding routes: Multiple riding trails connect to the equestrian facilities at NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins. Riders can access paths through woodlands and along scenic vistas within reasonable distance from the property. Some trails connect to broader Vermont trail networks for longer expeditions.

Fishing access: Townshend Lake offers productive fishing opportunities with bass, trout, and panfish species. The 108-acre reservoir maintains consistent water levels during summer months, providing reliable shoreline access for anglers. State fishing licenses required and available online or at local vendors.

Winter activities: The Townshend area transforms during winter months with opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when trails receive adequate snowfall. Some horse campgrounds near Townshend Lake maintain limited winter operations with cabin rentals for cold-weather enthusiasts.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Tippicanoe Campground maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. As one camper noted, "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 and you will be stress-free for your stay."

Water features: Equestrian campgrounds near Townshend Lake provide access to multiple water bodies. At Tippicanoe Campground, "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."

Site layout: Campgrounds in the area typically offer spacious sites that accommodate horse trailers and camping equipment. Many properties provide designated areas for horses separate from camping zones for safety and cleanliness.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds in the Townshend Lake region require advance bookings, particularly during peak season (May-October). Some properties have minimum stay requirements during summer weekends.

Horse facilities: While NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins welcomes horses, formal corrals may be limited or unavailable at some properties. Visitors should confirm exact equestrian amenities when booking and may need to bring portable containment systems.

Seasonal variations: Vermont experiences significant seasonal changes affecting camping conditions. Spring often brings muddy trails and higher water levels in Townshend Lake, while fall offers spectacular foliage but cooler temperatures requiring additional layers for comfort.

Tips for camping with families

Accommodation options: Families visiting horse campgrounds near Townshend Lake can choose between tent sites, cabins, or glamping options depending on comfort preferences. Cabin rentals provide more weather protection for those camping with children.

Activity planning: When visiting with children, plan for non-riding activities during downtime. Campgrounds typically provide communal areas where families can gather for games and social activities.

Safety protocols: Establish clear rules for children around horses and water features. Most equestrian properties have designated safe zones where children can play away from horse traffic areas.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: RVers seeking full-service sites should note varying hookup options among horse campgrounds. Tippicanoe Campground provides complete amenities as noted by a visitor: "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."

Access considerations: Many equestrian properties have limited access for larger rigs. Check road conditions and site dimensions before arrival, especially for those towing horse trailers plus camping units.

Setup logistics: When camping with horses and RVs, plan your site layout carefully. Position vehicles to create natural barriers between camping areas and horse containment zones for safety and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Townshend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Townshend Lake is NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Townshend Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Townshend Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.