Camping cabins near Bennington, New Hampshire offer access to the Contoocook River watershed, which sits at elevations between 500-1000 feet in the Merrimack Valley region. Winter cabin rentals often require central heating systems, while summer accommodations may feature screened porches. The camping season typically runs from May through October with most campgrounds closing after Columbus Day weekend.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Keyser Pond Campground, campers can fish directly from the shoreline near water-adjacent sites. "Me and my fiancé last minute booked a 4th of July trip and had a wonderful time! Our site was all rocks and we were tenting but we made it work knowing we booked the trip last minute! Brought our dog and he had fun!" reports Mal L.
Water recreation: The Ashuelot River Campground provides river access with tube rentals and shuttle service. "We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground. Having good weather, 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 Rae-Ann W.
Archery practice: Bear Brook State Park maintains two archery ranges with wheelchair accessible fishing docks. "I hadn't camped here in the past 8 years, so decided it was time to revisit. The mountain biking trails are busy even on late October afternoons; some trails allow horses. Canoes and kayaks let you explore and fish," explains Jean C.
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: At Cold Springs Camp Resort, guests appreciate the variety of water facilities. "So many amenities, you just couldn't get bored if you tried to. Beautiful, extremely clean bathrooms, reasonably priced little cafe, big camp store, very friendly staff, 4 outdoor pools & pretty big campground that has a gated entry/exit that needs a key card pass you get upon registering," writes Sara D.
Elevated security measures: Several campgrounds implement controlled access systems. "The price per night is a little more than we what we usually pay but we are okay with that considering the environment. The campground takes security seriously, with gated entry and wristbands for guests to wear," notes one Keyser Pond visitor.
On-site entertainment: Friendly Beaver Campground offers multiple pool options. "We've been back her a few times because my girls love it. They have 3 outdoor pools(sports,toddler,regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days. They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events," says Kate C.
What you should know
Limited tent sites: Reservation planning differs for cabin versus tent camping. "The sites are clean and the staff are amazing. Amazing campground. There is only maybe 8 tent sites? They have 2 cabins to rent. And the rest is rvs. The bathrooms are the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever been to," reports Will at Oxbow Campground.
Seasonal operation: Most facilities close after October. "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). Can't wait to come back next year and explore the lake along the hike," explains Richard W.
Weekend versus weekday experience: Noise levels vary significantly by timing. "Our stay was during the week so it wasn't very crowded. 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," notes a recent guest.
Tips for camping with families
Petting zoos: Friendly Beaver features small animal interactions that children enjoy. "This campground is clean and well kept. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts," writes Lori-Ann D. about nearby Otter River.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "The campground is very friendly... a lot of seasonal folks. We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine. The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," reports Tammy at Sandy Beach Campground.
Off-season activities: Many parks offer Halloween-themed weekends in September/October. "Very family centric, 7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools). We went for halloween weekend in August and their haunted house was incredible for a campground!" notes Kara C.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection: Pawtuckaway State Park offers premium waterfront sites with varied privacy levels. "We stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake and are situated right across from the bath/shower," Ellen C. reports.
Electrical capacity considerations: Check amperage requirements before booking. "Great campground for kids newer pool, with slides. 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," warns Zachary W.
Covered bridge clearance: Some area access roads have height/weight restrictions. "Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night. Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," advises John L.