Camping options around Amherst, New Hampshire range from established campgrounds to rustic glamping experiences within the region's mixed forest ecosystem at elevations between 200-400 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters, making May through October the primary camping season. Most campgrounds in this region sit near small lakes or streams, providing water recreation opportunities during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers over 40 miles of marked hiking trails through diverse terrain. One visitor noted, "The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites."
Fishing opportunities: Oxbow Campground maintains three separate ponds with different designated uses. According to a review, "They have 3 separate ponds-one for fishing, one for boating & the larger one is for swimming."
Water activities: The Autumn Hills Campground lake provides excellent paddling options. A camper reported, "The lake is amazing for launching a kayak or canoe and paddling about! Not the best for swimming but great for boating."
Golf access: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers camping with convenient golf course access. A visitor mentioned, "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cold Springs Camp Resort receives praise for its pristine bathrooms and showers. A camper stated, "They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless."
Waterfront sites: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers prime lakefront camping locations. One reviewer advised, "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!"
Wildlife viewing: Friendly Beaver Campground provides animal encounters for visitors. A camper shared, "We enjoyed their small but nice petting zoo of a few goats and a horse. Their general store was adequate."
Private sites: Willard Brook State Forest Campground offers sites with more seclusion. A reviewer recommended, "Site 3 is a great site. Large and separated enough from others."
What you should know
Seasonal popularity: Most glamping close to Amherst, New Hampshire experiences high demand in summer months. Reservations are essential, particularly for waterfront sites at places like Pawtuckaway.
Site variations: Site size and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. At The Pine Campground, "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night."
Pet policies: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground restricts pets during peak season. A visitor noted, "They don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess."
Additional fees: Some campgrounds charge extra for pets or internet access. At The Pine Campground, "There's an extra $5 charge per day per dog. I haven't seen this very much at any of the other campgrounds."
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Cold Springs Camp Resort offers multiple swimming options. A visitor explained, "7 pools which include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools."
Activity schedules: Calef Lake Camping Area provides organized activities for children. A review mentioned, "Kids and adult paint the weekend we were there. Awesome that they have a dog pond and the fishing was good there too."
Beach access: Bear Brook State Park Campground includes multiple swimming areas. A camper recalled, "The swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers."
Playground proximity: When choosing sites at Friendly Beaver, consider playground location. A reviewer advised, "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Autumn Hills Campground, some RV sites present challenges. A reviewer warned, "Situated primarily on a hillside, some of the sites are tricky to navigate with a camper, but it also minimizes the amount of neighbors you have."
Hookup placement: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park has unique utility configurations. A camper noted, "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site."
Advance planning: Friendly Beaver Campground requires careful navigation for larger rigs. One RVer explained, "Our site was down at the bottom of the hill near Daniel's Lake. Site was rocky and sandy. We were basically in a space cut out next to the road."
Length restrictions: Most glamping sites near Amherst accommodate smaller RVs better than large ones. At The Pine Campground, a 25-foot travel trailer was manageable with staff assistance: "Staff assisted to guide us into our space. 25' travel trailer, full hookups."
