Camping near Bow, New Hampshire offers several options within a 30-minute drive radius. Located in the Merrimack Valley region at an elevation of about 400 feet, Bow experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Fall camping is popular for foliage viewing, but sites fill quickly from September through mid-October when temperatures range from 40-65°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park provides extensive trail systems for biking enthusiasts. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," notes one visitor who specifically came to check out the mountain bike trails in the park.
Fishing opportunities: Keyser Pond Campground offers direct pond access for anglers. "Dog friendly, kids and adult paint the weekend we were there. Awesome that they have a dog pond and the fishing was good there too," reports a camper who enjoyed multiple activities.
Geocaching adventures: Bear Brook State Park Campground features numerous trails with hidden geocaches. "Numerous trails call out for exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found. If you can, download the info and maps before you get to the park to be sure you have the necessary info," recommends a detail-oriented reviewer.
Historical exploration: Learn about Depression-era conservation efforts at Bear Brook. "For history, check out the antique snowmobile museum and the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum. The CCC built much of the infrastructure here and elsewhere in the country," explains a camper who appreciated the historical aspects.
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground features waterfront sites that book quickly. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" shares an enthusiastic camper who values the prime locations.
Multiple swimming options: Cold Springs Camp Resort provides various water experiences. "Great campground. The pools are amazing. Kid pools. Adult pools! Adult hot tub," reports a visitor who appreciated the variety of swimming options.
Wildlife encounters: Pawtuckaway offers regular animal sightings. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," mentions a camper who had an extended stay at the park.
Fall seasonal events: Autumn Hills Campground hosts special themed weekends. "They do activities during the week. Definitely more kids friendly I think. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They have community fires and dances," notes a visitor who enjoyed the social aspects.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Bear Brook State Park has mixed site layouts. "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees," explains a reviewer who carefully assessed the campground's layout.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends and during fall foliage season. "I hadn't camped here in the past 8 years, so decided it was time to revisit; it helped that it was one of the campgrounds still open after Columbus Day weekend... During the peak season, I'm sure it's a different story given its proximity to Concord and Manchester."
Yurt camping options: While not common near Bow, New Hampshire, some campgrounds offer alternative accommodations. Those seeking yurt camping near Bow, New Hampshire should check availability at Sandy Beach Campground, which offers yurts among its accommodation types.
Cell phone coverage: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. "Cell phone coverage varies from 1-2 bars, not always 4G, on Verizon," reports a tech-savvy camper at Bear Brook. Another notes: "For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Friendly Beaver Campground offers multiple recreational spaces. "We've been back here 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," shares a parent who found the facilities well-suited for children.
Beach activities: Pawtuckaway State Park provides sandy shorelines. "What a beautiful location! If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" enthuses a visitor who maximized their family's enjoyment.
Animal interactions: Friendly Beaver includes a small petting area. "They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events," notes a parent who appreciated the variety of family-oriented activities.
Bathroom cleanliness: Consider facilities when camping with kids. "I was so impressed by how well the grounds were kept and how clean the bathrooms were. The tent sites were large which was great as we had two tents at ours. The park is very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking," reports a visitor who found Bear Brook well-maintained.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Calef Lake Camping Area offers varied sites. "Sites dispersed, one lane gravel road, 50 amp and 30 amp power available, large number of full time campers," notes an RVer who assessed the practical aspects.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Sites not fully level but leveling blocks took care of it," reports an experienced RVer who came prepared for site conditions.
Winter camping options: For year-round RVers, Circle 9 Ranch offers extended seasons. "Open in the winter for $400/mo. + elec," notes a long-term camper familiar with the seasonal rates.
Electrical hookup variety: Great Meadow Campground provides multiple options. "Electric (30 and 50amp), water, satellite and cable hookups as well as tank dump hookups at each site," explains a camper who appreciated the comprehensive site utilities.
