The Bow area of New Hampshire sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level in Merrimack County, with camping season typically running from May through mid-October. Overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s even during summer months, making proper insulation essential for RV and tent campers alike. Several RV campgrounds near Bow, New Hampshire offer varying levels of accessibility and amenities depending on the season.
What to do
Golfing and recreation: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry offers a 9 or 18-hole golf course with cart rentals and a pro shop. According to one visitor, "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc."
Beach activities: Sandy Beach Campground provides water-based recreation with paddle boats, canoes, and rowboats available for rent. A visitor notes, "Sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site."
Family events: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground schedules entertainment throughout the season. One camper mentioned, "The band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean & our 9 yr old did not get any of the jokes that were a little sassy."
What campers like
Spacious corner sites: Pine Acres Resort in Raymond offers various site configurations. A reviewer shared, "We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine."
Nearby attractions: Beach Rose RV Park puts campers within biking distance of coastal attractions. According to one visitor, "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach. We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine."
Clean facilities: Woodmore Family Campground maintains tidy grounds and amenities. One camper stated, "Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park."
What you should know
GPS challenges: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground can be difficult to locate with certain navigation apps. One visitor warned, "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance."
Seasonal differences: Most campgrounds near Bow have different crowds during weekdays versus weekends. A camper at Sandy Beach Campground observed, "Quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing."
Pet policies: Silver Lakes Park Campground stands out as one of the few parks that doesn't allow pets, while most others in the area are pet-friendly. Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park also restricts pets at their facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Seacoast Camping and RV Resort offers recreational facilities for children. One visitor noted, "There was a very large playground, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, basketball, and camp store."
Check event schedules: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground provides family-friendly alternatives during adult events. A parent shared, "A staff member came to our site and let us know that there is an 18+ comedy show but there was a children's movie being played on a big screen on the other side of the campground."
Consider swimming options: Some water areas have vegetation that might affect swimming quality. At Sandy Beach Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy."
Tips from RVers
Site placement challenges: Narrow roads can complicate large RV positioning. A visitor to Turtle Kraal RV Park noted, "They assist you in getting into your cement pad site and guide you down to your site."
Hookup locations: The placement of utilities can vary significantly between campgrounds. At Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, a camper observed, "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 and reach all services."
Cash requirements: Several RV campgrounds around Bow, New Hampshire require cash payment, while others accept credit cards. Check payment policies when making reservations, especially for longer stays.
