Matt T.
Guide
GuideNew Discovery State Park Campground
Great state park
Most sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
Equestrian Camping near Union Village Dam, VT
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Horse camping near Union Village Dam includes sites with stalls, spacious trailer parking, and direct trail access at campgrounds in Vermont's northeastern landscape. Equestrian campgrounds here offer well-separated sites with ample room for horse trailers, two main loops with wooded and open-field options, and coin-operated showers maintained by park staff. Tent and RV camping are available, along with basic amenities including drinking water, fire pits and picnic tables. The campground offers sites with shared outhouses between a few locations, and shower facilities include coin-operated options that park staff clean regularly. Sites are well separated and private, providing ample space for horse trailers. The camping area includes two main loops, with some sites tucked in the trees while others are situated in open grassy fields.
The trail network connects riders to multiple water features including Osmore Pond, Kettle Pond and Ricker Pond, all accessible via short rides from the campground. A long rail trail runs adjacent to the camping area, allowing equestrians to put in many miles without repetition. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with camping fees of $28 per night plus $5 per day per adult for state park access. Water access points have non-threaded spigots, requiring campers to unscrew hose heads at the dump station for filling tanks with potable water. Bears are present in the area, requiring proper food storage and horse feed management. Sites vary significantly in slope and size, making it important for equestrians to select appropriate locations for their specific needs and equipment.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Union Village Dam (9)
1. Gifford Woods State Park Campground
"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."
2. Hancock Campground
"This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."
"Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
3. Gunstock Campground
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
"Pros: 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"
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $80 / night
4. New Discovery State Park Campground
"There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses. The bathhouse looks typical and clean.
Not much cell service, but some in places.
Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion."
"There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $38 / night
5. Branbury State Park Campground
"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."
6. Tippicanoe Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $45 / night
7. Groton Forest Road Campground
"The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."
from $35 / night
8. Haystack Road
"It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing."
"They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free."
9. Ramblewood Cabins and Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 27 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 48 min from Amherst Center, MA
- 2 hrs 11 min from Glens Falls, NY
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Union Village Dam
92 Reviews of 9 Union Village Dam Campgrounds
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendHancock Campground
Fall Camping
This is our go to spot for late Fall and Winter camping. Just a few hard core cold weather lovers. Close to the slopes and snow shoe/snow mobile trails. Bathrooms are closed during this time. The porta potties are clean.
- ttim O.Guide
Gifford Woods State Park Campground
Gifford woods campground
Nice campground near Killington, VT. Water and dump station. Not for big rigs we have a 21 ft TT. Things were tight but doable. One of the few Vermont state campgrounds that is still open. Most close from second Monday in October until Memorial Day.
- MMarie S.
ScoutGunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**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.**
- EErin M.Scout
Gifford Woods State Park Campground
Simple life at Gifford
Peaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
Nadine R.GuideGunstock Campground
Everything I Love About Camping
This was such a great campground! Before we even left we were planning on returning. It’s clean, has great facilities and a camp store with anything you need or forgot without having to go to Walmart. It’s a fun place for kids, peaceful for parents, plenty to do on site and nearby.
- TTaylor C.
TravelerHaystack Road
Site 11
Amazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideGunstock Campground
Disappointing
This is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
Elena A.ScoutGifford 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.
Guide to Union Village Dam
New Discovery State Park Campground offers equestrian camping opportunities in Vermont's northeastern forest region with access to extensive trail networks. The campground has specific sites designed for horses, providing riders direct connections to natural water features and scenic woodland paths. While the main equestrian sites are located in the camping area's two loops, trail access varies seasonally, particularly between late spring and early fall when most facilities remain open.
What to do
Trail riding through Groton State Forest: At New Discovery State Park Campground, riders can access miles of interconnected trails. "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers," notes Laura M., highlighting the variety of activities available directly from camp.
Swimming at multiple pond locations: Within short riding distances of the campground, several water features provide swimming opportunities. "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," reports Rick S., who stayed at an Eagle lean-to site.
Rail trail excursions: The campground connects to a rail trail system for extended, mostly level riding. "Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it," according to Rick S., making it ideal for longer trail rides without steep terrain challenges.
Explore remote pond sites: For campers seeking more solitude, "we had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene, beautiful!" shares Sambath T. about their secluded water-access camping experience at Groton Forest Road Campground.
What campers like
Private, well-separated sites: The camping layout at New Discovery offers good spacing between sites. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," reports Robin B., though she noted some maintenance issues with bathroom supplies.
Multiple camping environments: The variety of site settings appeals to different preferences. "There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horse riding," observed Miccal M.
Lake access and swimming: Water features rank highly with campers visiting the region. At Branbury State Park Campground, "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," according to Lisa S., who appreciates the combination of camping and water recreation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides chances to observe native wildlife. "We saw fresh moose poop on a hike but sadly no moose or other wildlife. There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," notes Laura M. about the importance of proper food storage when camping in this region.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage is essential in this region. "There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," warns Laura M. This includes securing horse feed at equestrian sites.
Water access limitations: Some water spigots have non-standard configurations. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results...Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water," explains Laura M.
Fee structure: Expect both camping and park entrance fees. "Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees," reports Laura M., which applies to both standard and equestrian camping options.
Site variability: Sites differ significantly in terrain and suitability for equipment. "Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you," observes Laura M., highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites for horse trailers.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with diverse activities: Family-friendly locations offer multiple recreation options. At Branbury State Park Campground, "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground," reports J L.
Consider campsites with natural features: Sites with natural elements provide built-in entertainment. At Hancock Campground, "We stayed in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on. The beach was nearby and included in the stay with horseshoes and a playground," shares Desiree V.
Plan for bathroom accessibility: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. "Close enough to the bathrooms too," notes Rick S. about the Eagle lean-to site at New Discovery, making midnight bathroom trips more manageable for families.
Prepare for weather variability: Vermont's climate can change rapidly. "Even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time," notes Stephen T. about Branbury State Park, suggesting packing layers even for summer camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Water and electrical connections: RV sites offer varied hookup options. At Gunstock Campground, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni," reports Ryan P.
Dump station access: For equestrian camping with RVs, plan for waste management. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded," notes Laura M. about New Discovery State Park, suggesting RVers bring adapters for filling tanks.
Site selection considerations: RVers should research site dimensions carefully. "Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," warns Laura M., highlighting the importance of selecting level sites with adequate space for both RV and horse trailer parking.
Shower facilities: When available, showers enhance the RV camping experience. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," explains Laura M. about New Discovery State Park, advising campers to bring quarters for this amenity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Union Village Dam?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Union Village Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Union Village Dam is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Union Village Dam?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Union Village Dam?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Union Village Dam, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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