Camping options near Warwick, Massachusetts spread across forested state recreation areas and privately owned RV parks in the southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts region. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, contributing to cooler evening temperatures even during summer months. Winter access remains limited with only Field and Stream RV Park offering year-round camping, while most facilities close between mid-October and late May.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls and summits: Jamaica State Park Campground offers excellent hiking opportunities to local waterfalls. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," shares one visitor to Jamaica State Park Campground.
Paddle sports on calm lakes: Lake Dennison Recreation Area provides direct water access for kayaking and paddle boarding. "It is so convenient to camp right on the lake. We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake," notes one regular visitor to Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground.
Mountain climbing for experienced hikers: Mount Monadnock provides challenging terrain with rock scrambles and panoramic views. "The White Dot Trail starts off flat, but that's very short-lived. The trail begins to climb steeply pretty early on. The second half of the trail is very steep with lots of rock scrambles," explains a hiker who stayed at Monadnock State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Lake Dennison. "Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us."
Clean facilities: Gilson Pond Campground at Monadnock State Park receives praise for its maintenance. "This is one of the quietest and most peaceful campgrounds I've ever stayed at. The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly," notes a visitor to Gilson Pond Area Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Woodmore Family Campground offers organized events for children. "Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park," mentions a tent camper at Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have poor connectivity. Sandy Beach notes that "there was no cell service at the park" which affects campers needing to stay connected. This varies significantly by location and carrier.
Seasonal availability: Most RV campgrounds near Warwick, Massachusetts operate between May and October. Travelers Woods opens May 1 and closes October 15, similar to most area campgrounds.
Mosquito preparation: Insects can be problematic, particularly in wooded sites. "This is one of the quietest and most peaceful campgrounds I've ever stayed at. The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly, and the mosquitoes are ferocious," warns a camper about Gilson Pond.
Bathroom conditions vary: Some facilities receive better maintenance than others. One camper at Lake Dennison Recreation Area noted "The bathrooms also were In poor shape and not well cleaned. Over the course of our 3 night stay, they just got worse with overflowing toilets and trash."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Some campgrounds offer organized recreation. "The lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. There are ample trails for hiking and kids can ride their bikes," notes a visitor at Lake Dennison.
Select quieter loops: Camp location affects noise levels. "The sites on the North side are spacious & quiet. The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road which is used by logging trucks," advises a family staying at Lake Dennison.
Check swimming access: Beach quality varies between locations. At Sandy Beach Campground, one visitor noted, "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," indicating potential issues for younger swimmers.
Consider site privacy: Campgrounds with better separation between sites work better for families. "We tent camped here with 2 other families in the summer of 2019. Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive," reports a group that stayed at Woodmore Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Electrical system quality: Some RV parks have electrical issues that damage equipment. "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years," warns an RVer about Camp Coldbrook.
Site dimensions vary significantly: At Sandy Beach Campground, a camper with a larger RV reported, "We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine," indicating some sites accommodate larger vehicles while others do not.
Year-round options limited: Field and Stream RV Park offers one of the few winter camping options. "They offer all year round camping. Great site right next to the water. Sites are clean and well equipped," notes a winter visitor.
Electric hookup amperage: RV parks in the area typically offer 30-amp service rather than 50-amp. Travelers Woods provides water hookups and a sanitary dump station on level grass sites, making it suitable for most medium-sized RVs.
