12 Mile (Horsey Hilton) Camping Area
Gaines, New York
camping area, 4 numbered site, mostly ATV users now
Photos shown are stock images and may not represent the actual campground.
Campground in New York.
Rating
Reviews
Hancock is popular during peak season. Reserve 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays.
Most parks have check-in after 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM. Call ahead if you'll arrive late.
New York weather can change quickly. Pack layers and check the forecast for Hancock.
Don't miss local attractions near Hancock. Ask the camp host for hidden gems and trails.
Mar 18, 2026
I passed through on a solo bike trip at the end of July last year and was so grateful to have found Little Emma's! Ed and Kitty are so incredibly friendly and the backyard space is wonderful. I called in advance (same day) to confirm I could come by and I was more than welcomed. I was arriving late and they even offered to drive down the mountain to grab me if I didn't make it before dark. I h... I passed through on a solo bike trip at the end of July last year and was so grateful to have found Little Emma's! Ed and Kitty are so incredibly friendly and the backyard space is wonderful. I called in advance (same day) to confirm I could come by and I was more than welcomed. I was arriving late and they even offered to drive down the mountain to grab me if I didn't make it before dark. I had the camp to myself and was so grateful for the hot outdoor shower and kitchen. Ed and Kitty kept me company for a while, which I was beyond appreciative of, and we shared stories from my trip and all the places they've been. I wouldn't hesitate to stop in again if ever passing through the area and would recommend it to anyone. My only regret is I forgot to taste the blueberries growing in the backyard!
Mar 18, 2026
Such a wonderful place to camp. My friend and I were on a bike tour looking for a place to pitch our tents. The space is huge and very well outfitted for a luxury camping experience - there is an outdoor kitchen with stove and grill, an outdoor shower (with hot water!), a bathroom with a composting toilet and sink. And a simply gorgeous view. And another wonderful surprise - Ed and Kitty are some... Such a wonderful place to camp. My friend and I were on a bike tour looking for a place to pitch our tents. The space is huge and very well outfitted for a luxury camping experience - there is an outdoor kitchen with stove and grill, an outdoor shower (with hot water!), a bathroom with a composting toilet and sink. And a simply gorgeous view. And another wonderful surprise - Ed and Kitty are some of the most hospitable and friendly camp hosts you will find. They even drove me into town to go to the local bike shop when I found out I had a flat! Can’t recommend this place highly enough. I genuinely hope I can come back and stay with them again.
Mar 18, 2026
I was biking through Vermont in 2014 and stayed here. I found an old blog post I had written about it and had to share. My stay here was truly lovely. August 2014: Vermont is so hilly and steep, but truly breathtaking. I wish I was here one month later to see the leaves change, but it's pretty while it's green too. I felt a burden lift as I got further from the ferry in Ticonderoga. I went over... I was biking through Vermont in 2014 and stayed here. I found an old blog post I had written about it and had to share. My stay here was truly lovely. August 2014: Vermont is so hilly and steep, but truly breathtaking. I wish I was here one month later to see the leaves change, but it's pretty while it's green too. I felt a burden lift as I got further from the ferry in Ticonderoga. I went over a mountain called Bread Loaf today. Fitting with its name, the beginning was super steep, the middle had gentle rolling hills following along a river, and the end was a nice 12% grade down. If I could imagine riding the length of a loaf of bread, that was today. It was a beautiful road, although the backside got really rough on the shoulder, and it was pretty bumpy and scary at high speed. I felt exhausted after the adrenaline rush, and knew many campgrounds in the area had closed recently, leaving me with limited options. I started biking a few miles up a road to a possible campground, but gave up when I didn't see signs. I was biking back on route through Hancock, and I spotted a camping sign in front of a house. The owner, Ed, happened to be sitting outside watching his chickens, and he invited me in. He directed me to the backyard and showed me all of the amenities. He was so nice, but it started raining so I didn't get to talk to him much. They had a kitchen area, a bathroom with an electrical composting toilet, and an outdoor shower without a roof. I've never had an outdoor shower before. It was cut down to chest level on the side facing the forest, so I could look out and see nature while the steam rose in the air above me. This campsite was so original and great. I love when you can tell that this is the owner's passion, and they have put a lot of care into making it nice. I met his wife, Emma, and petted their two mini donkeys. They also had two Italian greyhounds, which is one of my favorite dog breeds. I set up my tent in the middle of their huge grassy yard. The views of the forested hills and mountains were amazing. This was a great camping experience.
Mar 18, 2026
Ed and Kitty provide everything a bike tourer could want. Hot shower, clean composting toilet, outdoor kitchen with an induction burner, fire pit, comfortable chairs, covered picnic tables in case of rain, and a flat grassy tent site next to an apple tree to rest your bones before or after you climb Middlebury gap. They are also two of the kindest people I have met.
Mar 18, 2026
Very comfortable and pleasant stay at this rustic overnight option. My wife and I stayed here one evening as we biked across the states in 2019. The hosts provided us with tent space in their large yard, with access to an outside kitchenette and bathroom/shower. The bathroom has a compostable toilet. The hosts were very friendly and helpful.
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