A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Ashland, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Ashland, New Hampshire area provides several developed campgrounds within a short drive of town, including Ames Brook Campground and Ashland New Hampshire Jellystone Park (now Adventure Bound). These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate a range of camping styles, from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Most camping areas operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with Ames Brook's season typically running from May 12 to October 14. Several facilities like Clearwater Campground and Meredith Woods Four Season Camping Area are located within 15 miles of Ashland, offering visitors varied terrain and proximity to natural attractions.
Campground accessibility around Ashland remains largely dependent on the summer and fall seasons, with most facilities closing for winter. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with warm summers and cold winters. Many camping areas in the vicinity require advance reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and fall foliage season. Sites like Meredith Woods and Clearwater provide full hookups for RVs, while others offer more primitive accommodations. Cell service varies throughout the area, with generally good coverage near developed campgrounds. A visitor noted, "Very clean well kept campground. The staff is friendly and helpful. Decent camp store too."
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Ashland region. Clearwater Campground provides lake access that campers frequently highlight in reviews. According to one visitor, "We really came to kayak and fish and were not at all disappointed. Easy access to the lake, beautiful water, and my husband could not put a hook in without catching something." Swimming facilities are common amenities, with Meredith Woods featuring an indoor pool that proves popular during inclement weather. Family-friendly environments prevail at most established campgrounds, though site spacing varies considerably. Several camping areas maintain clean facilities with modern bathrooms and showers, which receive consistent praise in reviews. The proximity to both lakes and mountains makes this region particularly appealing for outdoor enthusiasts seeking variety in their camping experience.
Best Campgrounds near Ashland (278)
1. Hunter’s Run RV Park
"They also have a nice game room for them kids or grown ups that struggle to leave technology behind."
from $44 - $135 / night
Check Availability2. Harbor Hill Camping Area
"Free DVD and book lending library, so if you aren't enjoying the great outdoors or walking on their nature trails, you can just read or watch. Easy access to the lake or hiking trails in the area. "
"Sinks are located outside and there is a bIgger sink for washing dishes. We were on an electric/water site but they also have a few primitive sites. We loved it here and will definitely be back."
from $3500 - $4500 / night
Check Availability3. Baker River Campground
"This place was a great option for staying close to Rumney for climbing. They have a group campsite specifically for climbers, which was $10 a person when we stayed there."
"Some sites are more private than others but overall quiet, and in a beautiful spot right next to the river. It's in a great location being near the main roads but far enough away that it seems remote."
from $35 - $42 / night
Check Availability4. Clearwater Campground
"The lake beach was fantastic, very nicely maintained. Kayak rental was super cheap and easy to do!
The campground is relatively near Meredith town center, and not far from Weirs beach."
from $33 - $56 / night
Check Availability5. Ames Brook Campground
"Easy to get to off Rt. 93, in Ashland, quick ride to many area attractions like hiking, lakes, etc. Site 27 is very large, near a cute babbling brook."
"Not all sites are overly spacious, some are in close proximity and there are many seasonal campers but the grounds are very well maintained and the bathrooms and showers are exceptionally clean (and free"
from $42 - $49 / night
Check Availability6. Gunstock Campground
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. Lost River Valley Campground
"The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"
"Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."
from $62 - $209 / night
Check Availability8. Ashland New Hampshire Jellystone Park
9. Branch Brook Campground
"Dump station is located smartly away from most campsites, but on site. Cammy at the office was lovely and helpful."
"The beat part is the location to the river. It wraps around the campground making it a great place to go tubing. They also have 3 great fields for rent"
from $37 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Campton Campground
"The sites are clean and well kept but are close in proximity of each other. None are private. This would be great for multiple families wanting to camp together."
"Really great for access to Tripoli road, Waterville Valley. Bathrooms clean. Showers clean. Host was excellent and knowledgeable. Loved advising campers where to go, what trails to checkout."
from $30 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 46 min from Manchester, NH
- 2 hrs 4 min from Lewiston, ME
- 2 hrs 7 min from Burlington, VT
- 2 hrs 12 min from Portland, ME
Recent Camping Photos near Ashland, NH
773 Photos of 278 Ashland Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Ashland, NH
1255 Reviews of 278 Ashland Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- KKaSondra S.Scout
Crown Point Camping Area
Disappointed
Very Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Jen P.
TravelerTwin Mountain Campground
Lovely and peaceful
It was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
Isaiah D.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Kids Stayed Entertained
We brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
Guide to Ashland
Camping near Ashland, New Hampshire offers access to diverse terrain ranging from lakefront settings to mountainous woodland. The region sits at elevations between 500-1,000 feet and experiences New England's distinct four seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Several campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with some facilities accommodating winter camping for those properly equipped.
What to do
Tubing at river locations: Branch Brook Campground provides excellent river access with areas designated for tubing activities. A camper noted, "They also have 3 great fields for rent" and "excellent river access, a pool, small camp store tons of activities for the kids, and many different 'types' of camping options!"
Kayaking and fishing: The waterways around Ashland offer premier fishing opportunities without requiring a long drive. At Clearwater Campground, "Kayak rental was super cheap and easy to do!" according to one visitor. Another mentioned the excellent fishing conditions: "My husband could not put a hook in without catching something."
Hiking trails: For campers seeking higher elevations, the White Mountains provide numerous trails within a short drive. A visitor to Campton Campground mentioned it's a "Great 'base camp' for hiking Osceola & East Osceola. Easy access from I-93. Really great for access to Tripoli road, Waterville Valley."
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Many campers specifically request waterfront accommodations. At Baker River Campground, one visitor shared, "The site we had was an open grassy area though we tucked the tent off to the side. On the other side of the roped banking was a beautiful view of the river. The showers were nice and they were free!"
Four-season availability: Some campgrounds around Ashland accommodate year-round camping, providing heated facilities during colder months. At Meredith Woods Four Season Camping Area, winter campers appreciate that "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day."
Easy access from interstate: Ashland's proximity to major roadways makes it convenient for weekend trips. A Campton Campground visitor noted, "It's in a great location if you want to enjoy some popular hikes such as Welch-Dickey, with great open ledges, and the Osceolas. It's also close to I-93 if you want to head a little farther north to the Kanc."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer spacious sites, others place units close together. At Baker River Campground, one candid review stated, "We went here as opposed to the nearby camp site we usually go to. Big mistake. The sites are so close together that it is uncomfortable."
Seasonal ownership changes: Several campgrounds have undergone recent management transitions. A visitor to Gunstock Campground reported, "The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock."
Winter accommodations limited: For cold-weather camping, facilities are restricted. Meredith Woods campers should note that "New owners have changed the campground to seasonal instead of year round," according to a recent review.
Road noise at some locations: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. At Campton Campground, "You can definitely hear the road (NH49) from pretty much every site, but the sites are far apart and totally wooded so it still seems private."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor activity options: Weather in New Hampshire can change rapidly, making indoor facilities valuable. Harbor Hill Camping Area offers "A recreation room with arcade games, pool, ping-pong and other games. Free DVD and book lending library, so if you aren't enjoying the great outdoors or walking on their nature trails, you can just read or watch."
Playground safety considerations: When selecting a family-friendly site, check playground quality and location. A visitor to Lost River Valley Campground cautioned about "The playground is across this busy road which I find very dangerous IMO."
Swimming alternatives: Pools provide consistent swimming opportunities when natural water isn't suitable. At Branch Brook Campground, "The indoor pool on the other side of the road at the sister campground Meredith Woods (both campgrounds accessible for campers) was splendid. I love the idea of being able to go swimming even if the weather is a bit crummy."
Tips from RVers
Unlevel sites common: Many campgrounds in the region require significant leveling. A camper at Harbor Hill reported that sites are "easy to get in to with an RV and level," but this isn't universal across all locations.
Winter hookup reliability: For cold-weather RV camping, Meredith Woods receives high marks for maintenance. According to winter campers, they have "a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round" and "4 way hook ups, fair cost per night (in winter, not sure about peak costs)."
Senior discounts available: Several campgrounds offer reduced rates for seniors during non-peak times. At Baker River Campground, recent ownership changes have affected pricing: "The corporation seems more interested in raising prices and saving money rather than maintaining and improving Baker River Campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Ashland, NH?
Where are the best campgrounds in Ashland, NH?
The Ashland area offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Ames Brook Campground is right in Ashland with full amenities, including water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites. For a more rustic experience near flowing water, Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins provides spots for both campers and tents along the river with ample parking and proximity to local attractions. Within a short drive, you can also find beautiful wooded sites at several highly-rated state park campgrounds in the White Mountains region.
Is Jellystone Park/Yogi Bear Campground available in Ashland, NH?
Is Jellystone Park/Yogi Bear Campground available in Ashland, NH?
Yes, Ashland New Hampshire Jellystone Park is available near Ashland. This family-friendly destination offers the themed Yogi Bear experience with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. The campground provides a fun atmosphere with organized activities and amenities designed specifically for families with children. For those seeking alternatives, Pastures Campground is another adorable option in the region with spacious lots, tables, fire rings, and facilities including bathrooms, showers, and a laundry room.
What RV rental options are available in Ashland, New Hampshire?
What RV rental options are available in Ashland, New Hampshire?
While Ashland itself has limited direct RV rental providers, there are several options in the greater region. Harbor Hill Camping Area in nearby Meredith and Clearwater Campground may offer seasonal RV rentals or have connections with local rental services. Most visitors bring their own RVs or rent from dealers in larger towns like Plymouth or Concord. For those planning an RV trip, research rental companies online and reserve well in advance, especially during peak summer months. Many campgrounds in the area are big-rig friendly with full hookup sites.
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