Traditional camping sites near Atkinson, New Hampshire provide access to forests, lakes, and activities within a 15-mile radius. Many campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level with natural ponds formed by glacial activity. Water temperatures at swimming areas typically reach the mid-70s by July, making summer the peak season for water activities.
What to do
Hiking and mountain biking: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for day adventures. "Excellent hiking, beach, wildlife-filled wetlands, girding, geology, forests, and water to enjoy. Pretty serious trail up and around some mountains, to a fire tower, ponds," notes Harry H. The park spans 10,000 acres with varied terrain suitable for different skill levels.
Fishing spots: Several ponds and lakes provide fishing opportunities from designated areas. At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" according to J L. Morning fishing tends to be most productive, with bass and pickerel being common catches.
Golfing access: For campers who enjoy golf, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines both activities. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc.," reports Christy C. The course offers weekday specials with reduced greens fees.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently rate lakeside spots highly, especially at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained," writes Kristen L. Waterfront sites typically cost $5-10 more per night than standard sites.
Wooded privacy: Many sites offer natural separation from neighbors. At Wakeda Campground, one reviewer noted, "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere." Sites under dense tree cover stay noticeably cooler during summer heat.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well," shares Rebecca S.
What you should know
Varied site sizes: Campsite dimensions differ substantially between locations and within the same campground. At Wakeda Campground, "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," says Marianne O., while another camper noted, "Sites dispersed, one lane gravel road, 50 amp and 30 amp power available."
Insects and wildlife: Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly near water. The Pines Camping Area received this feedback: "The con of this camp ground was the misquote, we went through 3 deep woods cans in just the first night." Morning and evening hours typically see the most mosquito activity.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. For waterfront sites at Pawtuckaway, J L. advises, "The sites on the water book up quickly." Holiday weekends often book 3-4 months in advance, with cancellations rare during summer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for different age groups. "There are two playgrounds both were nice. Water slide was fun," reports one camper about Winding River Campground. Most playgrounds are centrally located near bath houses or camp stores.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Calef Lake Camping Area, "The lake offers swimming and fishing directly from glamping accommodations," and one visitor shared, "Swimming pond that you can canoe in that looked fairly clean."
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events provide entertainment beyond natural attractions. At Tuxbury Pond, one visitor observed structured activities: "The live band was cool but we had golf carts and parked vehicles pretty much surrounding us and some right on our campsite."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Power supply can vary between campgrounds. At Sea Coast Camping, Jeff P. reported, "The wifi worked perfectly for steaming tv despite the campground being fully booked for Memorial Day weekend." Many sites offer 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability.
Access roads: Approach routes and internal campground roads present different challenges. At Hidden Valley, one reviewer 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."
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds near Atkinson operate with reduced services in shoulder seasons. Bear Brook State Park received this comment: "During the peak season, I'm sure it's a different story given it's proximity to Concord and Manchester and the variety of activities available."
