Pet-friendly campgrounds near Bristol offer access to New Hampshire's Lakes Region at elevations ranging from 500 to 800 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from Memorial Day through mid-October with seasonal variations in river water levels affecting swimming access. Winter camping options are limited to specialized facilities with heated amenities.
What to do
River activities at Baker River: Baker River Campground provides water access with a clean beach area ideal for dogs to cool off. "Nice setting right next to the Baker River!" notes Kel K., while Lexi R. adds, "On the other side of the roped banking was a beautiful view of the river. There is also a beach with great fishing!"
Floating trips: Plymouth Sands Camping Area features a sandy riverside beach with rope swings. "My favorite activity was putting in a couple miles up river and floating back to camp over the course of a few hours, ultimate lazy river," shares Eddy B., who enjoyed this with his dog.
Winter recreation: Meredith Woods Four Season Camping Area stays open year-round with amenities for cold weather. "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day," writes Mara S., mentioning the heated facilities that make winter camping with pets possible.
Mountain activities: Access hiking trails directly from some campgrounds. At Gunstock Campground, you can "walk to hike Gunstock" according to Christine M., and Sara D. notes they have "lots of trails on edge of the grounds" for walking dogs.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Harbor Hill gets high marks for facility maintenance. "Super clean bathrooms and showers. The camp is well maintained," reports David D., who appreciated the attention to cleanliness during his stay with his pet.
Spacious sites: Baker River Campground receives praise for site layout. "The tenting sites are pretty big and they allow up to 4 tents and 2 cars per site," notes Sarah W., making it convenient for groups traveling with multiple dogs.
Water features: Plymouth Sands offers water access many visitors enjoy. "The river is the highlight of the campground, we loved hanging in the water and the sandy beach," says Eddy B., mentioning the river is "very clean and a nice spot to hang out in the sun."
Indoor amenities for bad weather: Clearwater Campground and its sister property provide indoor options. "The indoor pool on the other side of the road at the sister campground Meredith Woods was splendid. I love the idea of being able to go swimming even if the weather is a bit crummy," writes Brandon C.
What you should know
Winter camping limitations: While Meredith Woods offers winter camping, policies can change. "I am disappointed that the new owners have changed the campground to seasonal instead of year round," reports Allura, indicating a recent policy shift at this previously year-round pet-friendly facility.
Shower operations: Many campgrounds have quarter-operated showers. At Meredith Woods, one camper noted "The hot water in the showers either never happened or took 5 min or more to actually get hot enough to shower," so be prepared with quarters and patience.
Seasonal campsite conditions: Some campgrounds have many long-term seasonal sites. Plymouth Sands visitor Jean C. observed, "I almost turned around and walked right back out because the first part of the campground is seasonal and there are trailers there that look like they've been in place since the campground opened in the 60s."
Wood availability: At Hunter's Run RV Park (formerly Clearwater), John L. found "no wood available during our visit, 2 bundles locked in cage area but nobody around to purchase from," suggesting campers bring their own or purchase before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Look for water features: Kids appreciate river and lake access for summer cooling. At Baker River Campground, Isabella K. writes, "Me and my family stayed right on the river, site 10. It was very shaded, clean, private walkway to the river... We ended tubing down the river one day."
Consider playground quality: Evaluate playground equipment for age appropriateness. At Meredith Woods, Dennis O. mentioned, "The only down, wish the playground was bigger, and height smaller. Not a structure for small children."
Check for indoor recreation: Ames Brook Campground offers lending options for families. According to Jeremiah C., "The office has a lending library of games available," providing alternatives during inclement weather.
Ask about family activities: Some campgrounds organize regular family events. Kevin M. says Davidsons Countryside Campground is "Always having crafts for children," making it appealing for families with younger kids.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several RV campers mention uneven sites at certain campgrounds. At Yogi Bears Jellystone (now Adventure Bound), one RVer reported, "The RV site was so uneven," suggesting bringing extra leveling blocks.
Winter RV accommodations: Limited winter camping options exist for RVers. Andrew P. notes that at Meredith Woods, "We stayed for a winter weekend, they have a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round" with 4-way hookups available.
Hookup variations: RV sites offer different hookup configurations across campgrounds. At Clearwater Campground, John L. observed "Gravel/dirt sites with fire pits (rocks) and picnic table," with hookup options varying by site location.
Site size considerations: For larger RVs, carefully check site dimensions before booking. Michelle B. noted at Ames Brook, "nice selection of wooded to open camp sites," but not all accommodate larger units.
Traveler
