Antrim sits at the eastern edge of the Monadnock Region in New Hampshire, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 feet across surrounding areas. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and cool to 55-65°F at night, making it comfortable for tent camping. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from May through mid-October, with limited options available during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking near Mount Monadnock: Make the 25-minute drive from Greenfield State Park to Mount Monadnock for a challenging day hike. "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," reports one visitor to Monadnock State Park.
Kayaking and fishing: Launch a kayak from several area ponds. At Pillsbury State Park, "the lake would really be nice for kayaking if you have one" according to one camper. Another notes that Oxbow Campground features "3 separate ponds—one for fishing, one for boating, and the larger one for swimming."
Local farm visits: Explore nearby agricultural spots. "Highly suggest checking out Tenney Farm nearby for fresh produce and treats," recommends a camper who stayed at Spacious Skies Seven Maples.
Tubing adventures: Float down the Ashuelot River during summer months. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit," notes a visitor to Ashuelot River Campground.
What campers like
Privacy and natural surroundings: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Antrim feature wooded sites. At Greenfield State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "sites are a little bit close, but feel much more private thanks to the trees." Another reviewer describes it as having "good sized sites with plenty of shade and decent privacy."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms are immaculate. The showers take coins but the facilities are some of the best I've seen while camping on State Park grounds," notes one visitor to Monadnock State Park. Similarly, at Friendly Beaver Campground, campers find "clean, well maintained, private bathrooms/showers."
Family activities: Swimming and recreational amenities rank high on camper lists. "The pools are amazing. Kid pools. Adult pools! Adult hot tub," states one review of Cold Springs Camp Resort. At Friendly Beaver, they "have 3 outdoor pools (sports, toddler, regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting offers animal encounters. A visitor to Spacious Skies Seven Maples enjoyed that "the kids could fish whenever. Lots of hiking trails (the dogs loved it). Can't wait to come back next year and explore the lake along the hike."
What you should know
Seasonal water conditions: Be prepared for variable water access. At Greenfield, "when we went (July) the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms... We are grateful that they are honest about it, but it is disappointing to not be able to swim at the campers beach."
Site sizes vary considerably: Research before booking, especially for larger units. "The campsites are accessible by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake," notes a camper at Pillsbury State Park. Meanwhile, at Ashuelot River Campground, "sites are good sized (had water and 30amp) and the campground was very clean and well kept."
Pet restrictions can change: While many campgrounds welcome pets, some have limitations. "Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning," advises a visitor to Pillsbury State Park.
Mosquitoes are significant: Bug protection is essential. A Monadnock State Park camper warns, "Just don't forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly play areas. At Spacious Skies Seven Maples, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Kid-friendly fishing spots abound. Oxbow Campground offers "a fishing pond [that] was perfect" according to one visitor, who added "I highly recommend this place if you have a family."
Weather preparation: Pack for variable conditions. A Greenfield visitor notes, "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."
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds offer small animal exhibits. At Friendly Beaver, "They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," advises an RVer staying at Ashuelot River Campground.
Electrical service quality: Check amperage before booking. At Spacious Skies Seven Maples, one camper 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."
Pull-through availability: Limited at some locations. Cold Springs has "nicely landscaped although the roads are very narrow. Made it hard to back in our spot," according to one RVer.
Extended stays: Some campgrounds offer seasonal options. "We had an awesome stay at Seven Maples with our family of six and dog. We have a 25 foot trailer and stayed in the Grove area. Our site 19 was spacious and wooded."
Ranger
