Best Camping in and near Pawtuckaway State Park

100% (14 reviews)

The lake is the star attraction at this popular New Hampshire park.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Pawtuckaway State Park

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Someday Farm and Forest

16 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Canterbury, NH

Once this property was part of a large chicken farm, the fields were hayed and still are. There are 12 sites, although this indicates 15- Site 1, 5 and 12 are also insta book (giving 15) so please check availability before insta booking. Be sure to see Calendar at bottom of this page. The meadow filled with water after some logging occurred about 70 years ago creating the swamp. Recently, a small farm has been built here that includes some alpacas, a llama, ducks, chickens, kitties and a rescue dog named Miss Oklahoma from her home state, commonly called 'Oakie', Beautiful farmland with livestock, including alpacas! An open field, forest, walking trails and a peaceful swamp with wildlife is all at your disposal while you are here at Someday Farm! We have a total of 12 sites for your enjoyment, there are a few sites here (Site 1, 5 and Site 12) that allow campers and tow behinds. Others may work but no guarantee's. We are in central NH only an hour from Boston off of I 93, and less than 30 miles away from the famous Lake Winnipesaukee, we are perched on a picturesque dirt road in the beautiful country town of Canterbury New Hampshire. Whether you are up for just hanging at your campsite, exploring the swamp, picnic in the field overlooking the swamp, visiting the animals, or visiting around town, hiking nearby trials, we are here for your stay! We have easy-to-access rustic style camping accommodations for all sized parties traveling with tents, travel trailers or small campers. All of our sites offer potable water, solar shower bags, parking, fire pits, and a picnic table. NEW THIS YEAR...We have a new Welcome Center! It will be complete with a game section, dry firewood bundles, replenished shower bags and camp showers, water, fire starter kits, also, extra supplies for purchase such as drinking water, bug spray and some homemade items, eggs, toiletries and some other items to purchase with cash (honor system) or Venmo or PayPal. Check it out! You don't need to purchase extras online if you'd rather pay here with a cost savings for you :) Onsite also, is a small library inside the Carraige House, let me know if you need a book. The old greenhouse bldg has with extra firewood available for your needs, located between 8 and 9 - also some items for you, to use, rent or purchase. Blackberry picking Aug-Sept. New to campers this year. 1 pint free and then $5.00 a pint-honor system. Also, New this year is Site 11, was complete last July, Under the Stars, across from 9 and 10. And the new Common Area-Strickly foot traffic only, this is a space to enjoy the open sky with a table, firepit and a grill for anyone's use. If you don't want to bring a grill and don't want to cook on grates. It is a first come first serve basis. But maybe your neighbors' will all come and cook with you? New too! Cornhole!! Setup on weekends along the drive and next to the Common Area, find the bags in Welcome Center. The Shelf has many games, please return when not in use. Once you are confirmed an email is sent offering 30 places around this beautiful town that you may visit at your leisure, including Shaker Village, Canterbury Ale works, Canterbury Woods Golf course, Hackleboro Orchards, our own Canterbury Country Store-1 mile away, Cold Garden Sprits is a new small distillery that is fascinating! If you need more city life amenities like grocery stores or restaurants, the capitol city of Concord to the south, and the town of Tilton and Laconia to the north, are a breeze to access and are less than 20 minutes away. Direct bookings and advanced reservations are no problem, and we also try to accommodate last minute bookings whenever we can. Feel free to msg me or call for questions and information. Checkout our onsite shop (Someday Farm Market) at the barn for our own handmade/homemade items and some Alpaca products also for sale May - Nov. Also, be sure to check out all the extras (you have to review the extras. to purchase firewood) offered here while you are booking your stay! You can also msg me to purchase firewood and other items once you are on site. There is firewood in each site for your arrival, but if you use it, you pay the $8.00, if you order it online, no worries it's there for you already, and extra can be bought and delivered during your stay. CALENDAR 2024 Happenings... March 17 - St Patty's Day March 19 - 1st Day of Spring. March 25 - Worm Moon. April 15 - May 15 Bookings during this time is 5% off. April 22 - Earth Day - Make a booking on this day for 10% off - cash rebate! April 24 - Pink Moon. May 15 - ends the 5% off bookings. May 23 - Flower Moon. May 27 - Memorial Day - Free bundle of firewood on this day only. June - 1st Sat - Kayaking on local pond. June 16 - Fathers Day - Dads get free coffee with Alpacas with 1 coffee purchase. June 22 - Strawberry Moon July 4 - Stay for the 4th and attend the Canterbury Festivities. July 21 - Buck Moon. July 27 - Canterbury Fair - biggest one day country fair. Aug 11-17 - Book this week and join the Meteor Shower viewing Aug 12 10:00 p.m. Takes Place in the field with a personal touch for each group. Aug-Sept - Blackberry picking, New to campers this year, First pint free, $5.00 each pint after that. Aug 19 - Sturgeon Moon. Aug - last week - Haying hands-on farm experience. Sep 2 - Labor Day - Free Glass of wine to relax on your day off for campers here on this day- afternoon pouring. Sept 18 - Harvest Moon. Sept 22 - First day of Fall - Free bundle of Firewood on this day only. Sept - end of Blackberry season. Oct 14 - Columbus Day Oct - 17 Hunters Moon Nov 11 - Veterans Day 10% of for anyone who has served our Country and a free coffee with animals with a coffee purchase. Nov - 15 Beaver Moon Dec - 15 Cold Moon Happy Camping!

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Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground

100 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Littleton, MA

Escape the bustle without sacrificing convenience at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Nestled in historic Littleton’s pine forests, our campground offers a peaceful retreat steps away from iconic National Historic Parks and Walden Pond. Choose wooded or open sites for your RV or tent, enjoy modern amenities like our heated pool and rec hall, and let the kids and pups run free in the playground and dog runs. Need a break from cooking? Our camp store has you covered, plus local restaurants deliver! Cozy cabins are also available. Don’t miss out on this unique blend of nature and city access – book your stay today! Relax in the heart of history at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Our campground’s tranquil, wooded setting near legendary Walden Pond and National Historic Parks offers the perfect escape from everyday life. Whether you’re in an RV, tent, or one of our cozy cabins, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable adventure: picnic tables, fire rings, full hookups, plus a heated pool, playground, rec hall, and even dog runs for your furry companions. Need a break from camp cooking? Our well-stocked camp store has essentials, and nearby restaurants offer takeout and delivery options for those lazy campground evenings. Explore the rich history of the region, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility, or take a quick trip into Boston – the choice is yours! Spacious Skies Minute Man provides a unique blend of outdoor adventure and urban access. Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of both worlds! Our prime location and fantastic amenities mean sites fill up quickly. Book your getaway today and create memories that will last a lifetime at Spacious Skies Minute Man.

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Camp in the woods

4 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Fremont, NH

Grandfather once lived on the property of a popular local restaurant owner original well and foundation still on site right on conservation trails with plenty of hiking biking and wildlifeLearn more about this land:3 acres private with hundreds of acres of hiking or biking abutting conservation land and 20 minutes from Hampton beach located 5 min from rt 101 and 125 new England dragway is 10 minutes away entrance can be muddy no low car access you need to walk in 500' or have AWD small building on property for fall hunting

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Main Street Meadows Tenting Site

1 site · Lodging1 acre · New London, NH

Camp just a quick trek off Beautiful & Historical Main Street New London, NH. Perfectly situated near hiking, skiing, swimming, boating, fishing, and snowmobiling spots. Lake Sunapee, Mount Sunapee, Mount Kearsarge and much more are only a few minutes' drive away. The site is a 90-second walk from the parking area, just a few hundred feet. The tent has a propane heater, however propane is not included. You must bring your own tank (can be purchased at the local gas station and hardware store). The canvas tent has one double bed, additional tents are recommended for more than two people. There is plenty of space to set up more tents

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Hussey Mountain Tree Farm

7 sites · RVs, Tents87 acres · Farmington, NH

ATFS Certified Tree Farm Est. 2004 Camp with your group at our private Tree Farm / Conservation / Recreation Area. Established in 2004, we are an 87 acre ATFS certified Tree Farm located in the Blue Hills Range in the Foothills to NH’s White Mountains. Choose from one of four unique sites / outdoor spaces to best fit your camping needs; book a combination to reserve a section of the mountain, or book all four sites for total privacy or for events. Our Farm spans the northerly side of Hussey Mountain from the base to the summit. Guests are provided with private access to several miles of multi-use nature trails, multiple scenic lookouts, a three acre PYO blueberry maze, and a dock on our private eight acre pond with available boat rentals. At the 2WD shared parking area guests are provided with a outdoor shower with hot and cold water, a portable toilet, garden hose for washing, a power strip for charging devices, and a spigot with potable water for filling containers. Over two decades ago we created our first campsite for the purpose of hosting family and friends. Folks enjoyed camping on the mountain so much they often would choose our farm over traditional campgrounds. Hosting campers became a regular weekend event, and to accommodate more people we created three more sites spread out across the property. In 2020, we came across the Hipcamp app and started offering private reservations to the public. Since, we have been hosting campers on a daily basis and continuously improving our sites / infrastructure / views. We’re excited to see what the next two decades hold; come join us on the mountain! Things to do on the mountain SPRING-FALL include... Hiking on several miles of maintained nature trails marked with clear signage for easy day/night navigation. Relaxing/taking in the scenery from several scenic lookouts located on and around the mountain’s summit; combined they provide a 360-degree view spanning from the NH/ME Seacoast to the White Mountains of NH, to the Green Mountains of VT. Fishing, paddling, swimming, or relaxing on our dock. Bird/wildlife watching, berry picking, stargazing and leaf peeping. This is a place you can easily spend a few days and keep busy! That said, if you’re looking to venture off-mountain and explore we’re in a great area to do that. We’re located only 7 minutes off Exit 14, NH Route 16 N. Places to visit nearby include... Baxter lake (public access) 5 minutes south. Portsmouth 25 minutes south. Lake Winnipesaukee 20 minutes north. Gunstock mountain resort 25 minutes north. NH’s White Mountains 40 minutes north. Conway 1 hour north. Things to do on the mountain in WINTER include... With snow, our unique network of forestry trails and glades are transformed into downhill ski/snowboard runs, snowshoe routes, and snowmobile trails. Site 1 Base Camp becomes ski-in, ski-out and is our only available site during ski season.

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Souhegan Shores

2 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Merrimack, NH

20Sep2024 Update: The river is near record lows but that exposes the sandbars for setting up your beach chairs and there is ample depth for the swimming hole below the rapids. This also means the fish have congregated to the deeper pools and you can see them from the trail above the riverbank. The wood chip road in to both sites is dry and easily passable by passenger vehicle. If we get a deluge of rain from a hurricane this season, please check in with your host to ensure your type of vehicle won't have difficulty getting out of the site. (back to our regularly scheduled campsite description...) Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to a 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp near the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of white pine, shag bark hickory and blue birch while listening to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. On the other side of the privacy fence is a pasture where two horses graze. If you don't like friendly dogs then you'll be better off on site 2 where we can better keep our dog Wilson from dropping in to visit. He loves people too much not to want to greet folks on Site 1. Site-2 is located at the farthest most downstream end of the property and from mid-May to mid-October it is totally private. You'll see nothing from your site except for trees and the river. If you or your dog don't like other dogs, this is the site you want. Still no guarantee Wilson won't visit you, but it's easier to keep Wilson away from this corner of the property. The other side of the river is town conservation land so the only people you're likely to see will be passing by in kayaks or on paddleboards. In the dry season, both sites are a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since the rapids up stream become unpassable in July and August. If planning a winter trip, just check ahead to ensure your host has finished plowing the access road. If southern NH gets really clobbered with snow, check with your host about the possibility of constructing snow shelters. You are only two traffic lights away from the Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall should you need something to do during inclement weather.

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Ponderings at White Pond

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Concord Ma, MA

Once written about by Henry David Thoreau in Walden. He called it one of the "emerald eyes of the world" . A magical place yet so close to Boston.Learn more about this land:This winter we are offering up our cottage with an additional winterized tent for studio or additional guests. You need to walk about 100 yards down a gravel path to get to our secluded home. It is heated with two pellet stoves. One in the bedroom wing, the other in the livingroom/kitchen. Skating, ice fishing, and crosscountry skiing right outside your door when the weather is right. Peace and calm when the weather is harsh. The house is fully stocked with cooking. linens, and a bathroom. During the summer, glamping in our greenhouse-tent for peace and tranquility. It is under a canopy of trees with a cool pond breeze prevailing. The bed and linens are first rate for a very comfortable stay. There are shelves, potable water and a desk within. It is heated in the cool temps and fan cooled in the warmer days. There is a canoe and paddleboard available to borrow. The main house is attached by decks, the bathroom is shared with the main house and there is a kitchen for you to use. The 40 acre pond is 65 feet deep. It is a kettle pond which is spring fed with no river inlets to pollute it. Access is a little tricky with 100 yard hike from the parking area down a steep slope. The pond is stocked with bass and trout for great fishing. The birds are amazing. Henry David Thoreau wrote about White Pond in his book, Walden as the "emerald eyes of the world." This is a place that magic happens.

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Campers Welcome to The Wolf Swamp.

14 sites · RVs, Tents52 acres · Canterbury, NH

The property used to be part of the old Johanson farm, it was a 200 acre dairy farm a hundred years ago. when the State put in the highway (I-93) in 1961 it split the farmland in half. The old stagecoach road which runs through the property from Canterbury Station to Northfield Station is now part of the main trails system. The early Pony Express riders dubbed the swamp on the land "Wolf Swamp", because there were many reports of riders seeing Wolves in the Swamp. The property is very open, although the sites are very spread out and secluded for ultimate privacy. There are several great hiking trails on the property, also used by local mountain bikers and Horseback Riding. Occasionally there will be an ATV or Dirt Bike passing through. We are located in the Heart of the local Trail system. There are several great places to swim and Kayak or Canoe literally around the corner. There are also lots of great local attractions close by, many that have Farm Stores, Shops, Homemade Gifts, Breads, Pies, Cheeses and we even have a few local Breweries. There is something for everyone, just ask and we will point you in the Right Direction.

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Highland Basecamp

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Northfield, NH

At Highland Basecamp you will find a driveway for RV parking and a backyard for tent set up. Running water and electric can also be provided. A nice and quiet setting only a five minute bike ride to Highland bike park and a 20 min drive to several other awesome trails systems in the area. About a ten minute drive to shopping and restaurants in town. There's also a fire pit available for use. Outdoor shower with hot water available. Toilet will be available June 1st. There is a toilet that comes June 1st. Outdoor shower also available in may though it will be cold some nights and early mornings. Now introducing a new cabin tent, need a quick place to stay? Don’t have room for extra gear? Book the tent by messaging me directly for availability. Thank you for staying

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Bear + Bird Homestead

1 site · Tent4 acres · Brentwood, NH

Welcome to our home! We're glad to have you. https://www.instagram.com/bearbirdhomestead Exeter River camping with floating dock Bucket toilet in privacy tent Hot/Cold Outdoor shower Well behaved dogs/leashed dogs are welcome 2 Min to Lindy's Country Store, 6 Min to Market Basket (and shopping plaza)/Epping Restaurants 15 minutes to downtown Exeter 20 minutes from Pawtuckaway State Park Over 300 acres of town forest hiking trails directly across the street.

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SnugLife Camping

2 sites · Lodging, Tents52 acres · Wilton, NH

Keith & I are happy to share our 52-acre slice of paradise with campers and fellow dog-enthusiasts. Come enjoy the Souhegan River, the woods and the myriad activities that southern NH has to offer. We're only 65 miles from Boston, but feel like you've left the world behind... Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @snuglifecamping - because... The snuggle is real...

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Spacious Skies Walnut Grove Campground

86 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Alfred, ME

Escape to Spacious Skies Walnut Grove, a family-friendly campground nestled in the heart of scenic Southern Maine. Whether you’re arriving in an RV, pitching a tent, or seeking a cozy cabin, our spacious sites and range of amenities will make your stay unforgettable. Kids will love the pool, playground, and rec hall, while the whole family can explore nearby beaches, historic towns, and Shaker Pond. Plus, enjoy free Wi-Fi and easy access to the excitement of Portland and Kennebunkport. Book your adventure today and discover the perfect blend of outdoor fun and modern convenience! Imagine relaxing evenings by your own campfire, with easy access to the best of Southern Maine! Our spacious sites fit all types of campers, with water and electrical hookups, plus optional sewer, cable, and 50-amp service. Whether you’re rolling in with the RV or cozying up in a tent, we have the perfect spot to call your home away from home. Seeking a more rustic feel? Our charming camping cabins provide a comfortable basecamp, complete with bunk beds, a fridge, cable TV, and a porch for those classic Maine summer nights. Picture the kids splashing in the pool or bouncing on the jumping pillow while you soak up the sun. With trails to explore, a well-stocked store, and even free Wi-Fi, we combine the joy of the outdoors with those creature comforts you crave. Spacious Skies Walnut Grove is your gateway to Southern Maine. Unwind at Old Orchard Beach, stroll the streets of Kennebunkport, or immerse yourself in Portland’s vibrant scene – all within easy reach. Closer to camp, Shaker Pond awaits with fishing and paddle boating, while ATV trails promise nearby thrills. Ready to create unforgettable memories? Book your stay now and experience the magic of camping in Maine!

The best camping near Pawtuckaway State Park guide

Overview

About

Swimming and paddling in the 803-acre Lake Pawtuckaway are the favorite activities of most visitors to Pawtuckaway State Park. But this New Hampshire park’s 5,500 acres offer a variety of opportunities for adventure, from hiking and mountain biking through oak and hemlock forest and a large boulder field, to spotting beavers, great blue herons, turtles, waterfowl and even (with luck) moose in and around the wetland. The 192-site Pawtuckaway Campground is open from mid-May through mid-October and is suitable for tents, trailers, campers and RVs, although there are no hookups.

Tips for snagging a campsite

As this park can get very busy, booking in advance is recommended, especially on summer weekends and holidays.
Bookings can easily be secured online or by phone, up to 11 months in advance.
The campground has 10 sites that are kept available on a first-come, first-served basis.

When to go

The big attraction at the park is the lake but summer visitors who want to enjoy it should aim to arrive early (especially on weekends and holidays) as the beach area closes as soon as it reaches capacity (often by mid-morning in peak times). Parking reservations for both the hiking and beach area can be made up to 30 days in advance. The park is open-year round but note that facilities may be closed out of season.

Know before you go

There is a fee to enter the park. In the off season, when the entrance is unstaffed, use the self-service iron ranger.
Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the camp store.
Pets are welcome on hiking trails year-round but not in the camping or beach area during the summer season.