Southern New Hampshire's camping landscape around Antrim sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level, experiencing typical New England weather patterns with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The camping season in this area usually begins after the last frost in mid-May and extends through October when temperatures begin dropping into the 30s at night. Most camping options near Antrim require advance bookings, especially for weekend stays during July and August when occupancy rates exceed 85%.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Monadnock: A 25-minute drive from Gilson Pond Area Campground — Monadnock State Park provides access to the famous 3,165-foot peak. "Mount Monadnock is best known because of its cameos in writings by both Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's quite a prominent peak in southern New Hampshire, and I've heard tell that it's the second most hiked mountain in the world, after Mount Fuji in Japan," shares one camper who recommended hiking up the White Dot Trail and down the White Cross Trail.
Paddle the ponds: Multiple small lakes and ponds dot the landscape near Antrim. Pillsbury State Park Campground offers excellent paddling opportunities on several small bodies of water. "Kayaking on May Pond and discovering little islands and coves was a highlight," notes one reviewer who stayed at a waterfront site. The park rents canoes and kayaks if you don't bring your own.
Fishing opportunities: Local ponds provide good fishing options throughout the camping season. One visitor at Oxbow Campground mentioned, "The fishing pond was perfect. I will be returning soon. I highly recommend this place if you have a family or simply need a place to clear your mind." Many campgrounds in the area maintain stocked ponds that don't require advanced fishing skills.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While site spacing varies between campgrounds, Greenfield State Park Campground earns praise for its wooded setting. "Very large campground with lots of woods to block you from other campers," notes one visitor. Another points out the campground's natural features: "Large park. Good sized sites with plenty of shade and decent privacy. Frog pond is fun to explore."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives frequent mentions across reviews of campgrounds in the Antrim area. At Ashuelot River Campground, campers appreciate that "the staff are very friendly and accommodating. They keep the place maintained well and very clean." The campground also provides canoes and kayaks on-site, plus a shuttle service for water sports or biking.
Water recreation: Swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities abound near Antrim. One visitor at Pillsbury State Park noted: "Pit toilets, sites are spacious, cell reception for Verizon isn't great. There's boat rentals, fishing, remote sites. Swimming in the stream is safe but the lake is loaded with leeches!" Seasonal considerations should include water quality checks, as some ponds experience temporary closures due to algae blooms.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds around Antrim operate from May through mid-October only. A Greenfield State Park visitor noted in July: "When we went the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms, hence the 1 star deduction. We are grateful that they are honest about it, but it is disappointing to not be able to swim at the campers beach." Always check current status before planning water activities.
Quiet vs. busy periods: Weekends bring more activity and noise to most campgrounds. One camper at Greenfield State Park mentioned, "It's a nice clean campground but it's definitely filled with a lot of younger people partying and being loud!" For a quieter experience, consider weekday camping when possible, particularly in August and September.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We chose Gilson Pond Campground because of its proximity to Keene State College, where we were headed for a college orientation, but we figured since we were camping near the base of a famous mountain, we might as well hike it. First tip, camp at Gilson Pond Campground the night before so you can get up early to beat the heat, if that applies, and the crowds."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas exist around Antrim, but quality varies. Spacious Skies Seven Maples earns praise for its water facilities: "The pool is amazing for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area. There's no life guard or staff monitoring the pool area so it did get a little too crazy at times for my little ones." Some campgrounds maintain separate swimming areas for children and adults.
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds maintain play equipment for younger campers. At Seven Maples, "We stayed in the cabin with a kitchenette and bathroom. The shower worked well and it was nice not to have to walk to the restrooms, though they were close by. Our son liked the playground and it was unfortunately too cold for the pool but it looked fun! It has a big slide and what looks like a splash pad."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy observing local wildlife around campsites. "We stayed late in the season during a chilly damp weekend and had the best time. We were right on the pond, so the kids could fish whenever. Lots of hiking trails (the dogs loved it)," shared one family who visited Seven Maples. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RV campers, site selection requires careful attention. One RVer at Greenfield State Park shared: "The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring."
Power considerations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds, with most offering 30-amp connections. A camper at Seven Maples noted: "Had issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities While my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue." RVers should plan power usage accordingly, especially during hot weather when air conditioners draw significant electricity.
Fire ring design: The design of fire rings impacts the camping experience. One RV camper explained an unusual situation: "Our fire pit was not the typical tire ring, it was some other type of ring I've never seen before. It was almost as if it was designed to not allow any air flow for the fire. We thought we were going crazy until our neighbors were having an issue too and had to plug in a hair dryer and every 5 minutes turn it on to keep the fire from going out."
