Jellystone Park™ Lakes Region
I stayed in a tent and it was the most fun I had with my famil y
Great people, family friendly, lots of activities
222 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Center Strafford and the surrounding area in New Hampshire feature several established campgrounds catering to various camping preferences. Within a 15-mile radius, campers will find popular destinations like Strafford - Lake Winnipesaukee South KOA and Barrington Shores Campground, both offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The region includes a mix of waterfront camping options on local lakes and rivers, particularly at Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Sun River Campground, where visitors can enjoy water recreation alongside camping facilities.
Camping facilities throughout the region typically operate from May through October, with most closing after Columbus Day. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. A camper noted, "The spots are clean and roomy, bathrooms are always clean and showers hot." Road access to most developed campgrounds is suitable for standard vehicles, though some tent sites may require short walks from parking areas. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, allowing for easy communication while camping. Weather conditions remain mild in summer with occasional thunderstorms, while spring camping may encounter muddy conditions during seasonal thaws.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the Center Strafford area. Several visitors mentioned shoreline views and swimming opportunities as highlights of their stays. According to one visitor, "This family-oriented campground fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among its guests." Families with children particularly appreciate campgrounds with recreational amenities like water slides, playgrounds, and game rooms. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide clean shower facilities, laundry options, and on-site firewood sales. Proximity to small towns allows for convenient supply runs, with a review mentioning "Dunk's is a 7 minute drive if you are a must-have-dunkin's every day person." Wildlife sightings are common at more secluded campgrounds, adding to the natural experience while staying within comfortable distance of modern conveniences.
"Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."
"My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."
"Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Walking distance to rest rooms and showers. Great owners. 1st trip in a hurricane."
"Learning to get away from the bad campers."
from $43 - $47 / night
Check Availability"We were able to book last minute and got a great tenting site, next to a running river that was great to sleep to. Very buggy, but it's outside, what do you expect?"
"Staff was very friendly and extremely cautious about their surroundings. Plenty of things to do to stay busy during the rainy days."
"I enjoyed the hiking trails in the back and a pretty good amount of things to do near by. Being able to walk to a store and restaurant is great."
"We only wanted to stay for one and when we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing!"
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"Lots of things to do in surrounding towns and easy access to the river."
"Saturday rolled around and some noisier guests came in for the night, they were several sites away and sounded like they were having a great time, didn't bother us."
"The family will definitely be making a few return trips, especially with the reasonable drive from the boston area to the grounds."
from $26 - $30 / night
"Ayers lake campground in New Hampshire is a well kept secret. Small and family owned and operated, this campground offers some of the greatest vistas of a small New Hampshire pond we have seen."
"On lake site. Great management and owner."
"The facilities, which include bathhouses, a laundry room, and a beach situated along a tranquil river, contribute to a harmonious and enjoyable experience for all."
"Pros=rustic tent sites available on a River, very quiet nights, secluded campsites (however the 5 sites near us were empty so that likely has a little to do with noise level & space), playground available"
from $30 / night
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Great people, family friendly, lots of activities
This is a really great campground. However, the cell service is terrible. I do have Wi-Fi, but it is very weak. I would count on having to use Starlink.
This is a campground, not a resort. It offers water, sewer and electric sites but most are just water and electric. There is dump station and they offer a service to empty your holding tanks.
The sites are staggered and in wooded ares so that you don't look directly into another RV. There are a few pull through sites but most are back in.
The campground is in the process of upgrading (they used to have no sewer sites). They have showers and cabins. Trees prevent satellite reception and the local TV stations are limited due to the remote area.
Camp store is well stocked but not very large. Staff are very pleasant and accommodating. Sebago Lake is right down the hill but not walkable (car or bike).
Functional and scenic RV campground.
I stayed in one of the cabins and actually enjoyed it more than i thought.
Amazing place and community, unfortunately very expensive.
I have never come across a more prejudice, morally wrong and bad business situation in my life than my most recent experience with this campground. I am 40, am an engineer and my mother is 70 and a retired high school teacher. I have a five year old and live with my mom. I have owned three properties over the years. I say all this background because it’s necessary for this story. Oh and I am very quiet, have held a security clearance, a marathon runner blah blah blah. My mom sold her condo and we have a move out date on June 15. We decided to get an rv for the season and stay at a campground. We picked this one. They said we were all set to move our rv to the site for May 21st. Then on May 20th in the afternoon they call and basically say our family dynamic is unacceptable and we can’t move in. Yes I have a girlfriend. She doesn’t live with us but stays often. She has been an Americore worker plus worked with homeless for years. Apparently we would look to out of place. First- to tell us this about 16 hours before move in is unacceptable, after a couple weeks of saying you’re fine. To be that judgmental and prejudiced is unacceptable. I have zero respect for this campground and wish all who read this to boycott. Mary Ellen you are not a good person. In one voicemail to my mom you state how she’s anxious and also say it will be fine! Turns out she had good reason to be anxious. To treat others like you do is not ok. I found that anxious comment very off at the time and in retrospect it is telling on many levels. Be ashamed! What you have done to good people is wrong on many levels. I state all this personal stuff to highlight how ridiculous being turned away from a campground is. I have owned nice homes in very nice communities and never thought a pathetic campground would turn me away, what a joke.
The first time we camped here was on Columbus Day weekend a number of years ago, and we got to see seals sun bathing on the beach. Are kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! The sites are a little close together and many of them are in direct sunlight , so that isn't the greatest , but if you have an awning, you should be good. We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too. Write down the street from camp, there is a street setup almost like a boardwalk, with arcades, live music, ice cream, food, and a carousel! There is also a bigger beach, and you are one twin away from New Hampshire. Lots to see and do here!
My husband and I had a great time here! We went early in the season, so there were not many people there. We met the new owners/managers and they were very friendly. David was attentive and very helpful!
We stayed in the Oak Section at 317. The sites are pretty close together, which is why I gave a 4. We didn’t have neighbors, but I can imagine on a busy weekend, it might get crowded. The Utilities at this site were in an awkward spot, compared to where we wanted the camper.
Center Strafford, New Hampshire and surrounding communities feature a range of established campgrounds serving both seasonal and short-term visitors. The area includes several campground options within a 20-mile radius, with notable locations like Strafford-Lake Winnipesaukee South KOA and Barrington Shores Campground providing accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins. Many camping areas in the region are situated near lakes and rivers, offering water recreation opportunities alongside traditional camping experiences.
Campgrounds in the Center Strafford region typically operate from May through October, with most closing after Columbus Day weekend. "This is a very casual and low key campground, with RVs and vans parked here and there and every which way," noted one visitor about a nearby location. Access roads to most developed campgrounds are well-maintained and suitable for standard vehicles. Weather considerations include occasional summer thunderstorms and cooler fall temperatures, particularly in September and October. Many camping areas provide basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, while developed campgrounds typically offer electric hookups, showers, and dump stations. Reservations are highly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods.
The waterfront campgrounds near Center Strafford receive particularly positive reviews from visitors. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages earns praise for its peaceful setting, with one camper describing it as offering "some of the greatest vistas of a small New Hampshire pond we have seen." Family-friendly amenities are common throughout the region's developed campgrounds. The KOA in Strafford features water recreation facilities including a water slide, pool, and pond for swimming and fishing. Some campgrounds provide organized activities for families, particularly on weekends and holidays. Visitors frequently mention the balance between natural settings and convenient facilities as a strength of the mixed-use campgrounds in the area, though some note that sites can fill quickly during peak summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Center Strafford, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Center Strafford, NH is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 44 reviews.
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