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Best Campgrounds near Bradford, NH

711 Reviews

The central New Hampshire town of Bradford serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences within a 30-mile radius. State parks dominate the landscape, with Pillsbury State Park offering primitive camping among ponds and wetlands where wildlife like moose and loons thrive. Private campgrounds such as Spacious Skies French Pond and Sandy Beach Campground provide more amenities for those seeking comfort. The region balances wooded sites with waterfront options, particularly around lakes and ponds that dot the landscape. Camping styles range from tent-only areas to full-service RV sites with hookups, while some locations like Keyser Pond Campground feature cabin rentals for those seeking a middle ground between roughing it and modern conveniences.

Most campgrounds in the Bradford area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campers reporting spotty coverage in more remote locations. As one visitor to Pillsbury State Park noted, "It's one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system." Weather considerations include summer thunderstorms and significant temperature drops at night, even during warm months. Many campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., creating a family-friendly atmosphere.

Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers visiting the Bradford area. Visitors frequently mention the tranquility of wooded settings and the accessibility of water activities. According to one camper at Greenfield State Park, "The lake is a great spot for kayaking and the sunset on the lake definitely didn't disappoint." Site privacy varies considerably, with state parks generally offering more secluded options than private campgrounds. Mosquitoes present a common challenge during summer months, with multiple reviewers recommending bug spray as an essential item. Families particularly appreciate campgrounds with playgrounds, hiking trails, and swimming areas. The New Hampshire camping season concludes with spectacular fall foliage, making September and early October popular despite cooler temperatures.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bradford, New Hampshire (182)

    1. Pillsbury State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Washington, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 863-2860

    $29 - $40 / night

    "Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. 

    There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. "

    "Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."

    2. Spacious Skies French Pond

    7 Reviews
    Henniker, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 428-7616

    $24 - $185 / night

    "I had a view of the beautiful pond, which is really a lake, and wished I had more time to rent a kayak.  The bathrooms were clean and easy to access, since I do not have sewer in my small pop-up."

    "Restroom closed to covid, some campgrounds kept them open and just cleaned more. Well no complaint here we’re self contained. Some areas could use some tidying up."

    3. Sandy Beach Campground

    6 Reviews
    Contoocook, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    4. Greenfield State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Bennington, NH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 547-3497

    $35 - $105 / night

    "Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud."

    "Nice views of the lake, swimming, wide open sites, not too over crowded! I'd definitely go back!"

    5. Oxbow Campground

    4 Reviews
    Hillsborough, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 464-5952

    $30 - $45 / night

    "We stayed with our parents in their camper for a couple nights and had such a positive experience there!"

    "We stayed right next to a cute pond on site 69. There was a family with several smaller children who were fishing g the pond. It was so cute to hear them squeal with glee when they caught a fish."

    6. Keyser Pond Campground

    5 Reviews
    Henniker, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 428-7741

    7. Northstar Campground

    5 Reviews
    Goshen, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 863-4001

    $32 - $37 / night

    "We had a spacious site w/water and electric next to the Sugar River. We enjoyed our time here and will definitely go back."

    8. Crows Nest

    3 Reviews
    Newport, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 863-6170

    $32 - $115 / night

    9. Tippicanoe Campground

    1 Review
    Goshen, NH
    8 miles
    Website

    $35 - $45 / night

    10. Spacious Skies Seven Maples

    11 Reviews
    Hancock, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 525-3321

    $54 - $999 / night

    "The shower worked well and it was nice not to have to walk to the restrooms, though they were close by. Our stay was during the week so it wasn’t very crowded."

    "We loved being next to the large field and basketball court where we watched the kids play without having to worry where they disappeared to."

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Recent Camping Photos near Bradford, NH

518 Photos of 182 Bradford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bradford, NH

711 Reviews of 182 Bradford Campgrounds

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.

  • S
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Cold Springs Camp Resort

    All Around Exceptional

    This place is just great! They have clean, flat sites, easy to navigate and get our fifth wheel in. The facilities are spotless. There are numerous pools and hot tubs, activities and the people that work there are just the nicest! Our kids were never scolded for being loud and neither were the adults. We have booked our return trip already and can't wait to go back!

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    The park is in a good location; it is right next to the road. We were at sight #3.  We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Plymouth Sands Camping Area

    Nice campground with amenities and friendly owners

    The campground is in a convenient location near lots of hiking trails and attractions. The sites are decently spacious and have various configurations for utilities. There is a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim. We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids. Firewood is available on site. There is a bathroom with a few stalls and sinks that is well kept and clean. The showers are quarter operated with a coin heat lamp as well for the colder seasons. The office has a lending library of games available. The couple that owns the campground are very friendly and have owned it for 3 seasons now and they have done a great job making sure that amenities are kept up and upgrades are being made.

  • Rachael K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    Really pretty and chill

    This campground is pretty and offers many private site options. We didn't use the bathrooms so can't speak on that. But overall it's a clean campground.

    There are two loops. The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet. The sites by the lake are really pretty, but there's not much privacy. All of the sites are good size and the fire pits are placed well.

    The other loop farther away from the entrance has a lot more lakeside sites. But there's very little privacy. The sites with higher numbers by the lake are all on top of each other with little to no trees or shrubs between sites, and you can't really decipher where one site ends and the next begins. We would not stay on that loop if we visited again. Unless it was site 101 which seemed more private for that loop.

    Sites 1 through 5 on the first loop are pretty quiet and peaceful. We stayed at site 4 and we think that it was one of the best sites in the campground. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us. We only had neighbors across from us. The site was spacious , peaceful and pretty. There was a little trail from our site that went down to a marsh. That was absolutely beautiful.

    We will definitely stay here again.

  • gabe N.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    What a gem

    We camped here one night on a pit stop and it exceeded our expectations! We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake. However, there is limited privacy between sites so hope for good neighbors :) also cell service was fine with AT&T.

  • Rae Y.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Saddleback Campground

    Uncomfortable feeling for my girls

    I made everyone stay in the trailer every night , we just didn’t feel comfortable with our girls being out after dark. There was def a lot of questionable rif raf that were definitely on something and it was obvious that there were a few girls there that were working.   Always men working on vehicles.  Family will not go back. Don’t want my daughter around that

Guide to Bradford

Camping near Bradford, New Hampshire, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers at Monadnock State Park Campground rave about the access to hiking trails, with one reviewer noting, "The campsite is big and away from another site. You can easily access hiking trails."
  • Fishing: Enjoy some fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. A visitor at Greenfield State Park Campground mentioned, "The lake is clean, and the sites are beautiful," making it a great spot for anglers.
  • Kayaking: If you have a kayak, take it out on the water. Campers at Pillsbury State Park Campground enjoyed kayaking on May Pond, saying, "Kayaking on May Pond and discovering little islands and coves was a highlight."

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the roomy sites. One happy camper at Bear Brook State Park Campground said, "The campground has a beach, a playground, and a ball field," highlighting the spaciousness.
  • Clean facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are a big plus. A reviewer at Quechee State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms (which have coin-operated showers) were immaculate and seem to be somewhat newer than the other state parks."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Ashuelot River Campground noted, "The people at the office are so nice and welcoming."

What you should know:

  • No electric hookups: Many campgrounds in the area do not offer electric hookups. A camper at Greenfield State Park Campground pointed out, "No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage."
  • Reservations recommended: It's a good idea to book your site in advance, especially during peak season. A reviewer at Gunstock Campground mentioned, "We will be back!" indicating that they had a great experience and would return.
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. Campers at Quechee State Park Campground shared that there was an active bear around, and staff were proactive in informing campers.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A family at Friendly Beaver Campground enjoyed, "Tons of activities, awesome shallow pool for the kids."
  • Choose spacious sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Ashuelot River Campground mentioned, "Our site was very spacious, level and included a picnic table."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A visitor at Bear Brook State Park Campground appreciated the peaceful environment, saying, "Campground Noise: Very peaceful."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at Gunstock Campground noted, "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with amenities like dump stations and water hookups. A camper at Ashuelot River Campground mentioned, "Easy access site, riverside electric 30A and water."
  • Be prepared for road noise: Some campgrounds may have nearby road noise. A visitor at Mount Ascutney State Park Campground mentioned, "The road nearby is noisy," so consider this when selecting your site.

Camping around Bradford, New Hampshire, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Bradford Beach in Milwaukee?

Bradford Beach is located on Lincoln Memorial Drive along Milwaukee's lakefront. From downtown Milwaukee, head east toward Lake Michigan and follow Lincoln Memorial Drive north. Similar to how campers access Pillsbury State Park Campground, which is known for its accessible lakefront sites, Bradford Beach is clearly marked with signage. The beach is approximately 2 miles north of the Milwaukee Art Museum. If using public transportation, MCTS bus routes stop within walking distance. For those using GPS, enter "2400 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI" for accurate directions.

Is there parking available at Bradford Beach?

Yes, Bradford Beach offers a dedicated parking lot along Lincoln Memorial Drive. Similar to Tully Lake Recreation Area, which provides ample parking for day visitors, Bradford Beach's lot can fill up quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Arrive early to secure a spot, especially between 11am-3pm. There's also limited street parking available in the surrounding area. Parking fees typically apply during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), with rates around $2-5 per hour depending on the day.

What amenities are available at Bradford Beach?

Bradford Beach offers numerous amenities for visitors, similar to the comprehensive facilities at Kampfires campground. The beach features volleyball courts, concession stands serving food and beverages during summer months, and rental equipment for water activities. Public restrooms and outdoor showers are available for rinsing off sand. Woodmore Family Campground visitors appreciate clean facilities, and similarly, Bradford Beach maintains clean public areas with trash receptacles throughout. The beach also has lifeguards on duty during peak season, accessible walkways, and several tiki bars operating in summer. Beach cabana rentals are available for those seeking shade.

Are dogs allowed at Bradford Beach?

Dogs are not allowed at Bradford Beach during the official beach season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). This is similar to pet policies at Bear Brook State Park Campground, which has designated pet-friendly areas but restricts pets in certain locations. During off-season months, leashed dogs may be permitted, but owners must always clean up after their pets. For dog-friendly alternatives, consider visiting the designated dog beach at Roverwest Dog Park in Riverwest or Bay View Dog Beach. Always check current regulations as policies may change, and remember that service animals are typically exempt from these restrictions.

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