Camping options near Charlestown, New Hampshire range from waterfront sites along the Sugar River to forested campgrounds in the Green Mountains. The region sits at approximately 500-900 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter arrives early in this area, with most campgrounds closing by mid-October as temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
Kayaking the Ashuelot River: Rent kayaks directly at Ashuelot River Campground for an easy paddle. "Great riverfront location. Huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want?" noted Wayne B. The river offers both calm paddling and gentle floating opportunities.
Hiking Mount Olga: The 1.7-mile round-trip trail starts directly from Molly Stark State Park Campground and leads to a fire tower with mountain views. "The trails from the park connect to the Hogback Mountain Conservation area trails, so there are actually many miles of trails you can explore without having to drive anywhere," explains Tara S.
Swimming in Emerald Lake: The turquoise waters at Emerald Lake State Park are ideal for cooling off on hot summer days. "Nice lake for canoeing with trails from the camping area. Family friendly with semi private sites," reports Gary C. The lake features a sandy beach area with changing facilities nearby.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Sites along water edges provide both scenery and recreation access. "We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground... We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other," shares Rae-Ann W., highlighting the relaxed water activities even during drier periods.
Clean facilities: Woodford State Park Campground consistently receives praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen!" reports Jenny A. Multiple reviews mention well-maintained shower facilities, though most require quarters ($0.25 for 8 minutes at some locations).
Diverse accommodation types: From tent sites to yurts, the area offers various shelters. "Camped here Labor Day Weekend in our 40 ft 5th wheel. We had a pull thru site. Easy to drive into the campground and into the site," notes David about Caton Place Campground, which also offers yurt options for those seeking yurt camping near Charlestown, New Hampshire.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. "We recently purchased a new-to-us camper and wanted to get in a trip or two before putting it away for the winter," mentions Rae-Ann W., highlighting the limited camping season.
Reservation requirements: Popular yurt rentals and premium sites book quickly. "This is a popular camp ground so reserve as early as 11 months before arrival," advises Ming R. about waterfront accommodations.
Road noise at some locations: Quechee State Park Campground sits near Route 4, which impacts some sites. "Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant," notes camper B. Similar conditions exist at Molly Stark, where "It is near Route 9 so not much quiet during the day, but at night it's great."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation programs: Many parks offer structured activities for children. "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," shares Jen B. about her family's experience.
Choose sites away from drop-offs: Emerald Lake has challenging terrain for young children. "Many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids. If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site," recommends Tara S.
Kid-friendly yurt options: For families seeking sheltered yurt camping near Charlestown, New Hampshire without pitching tents, Woodford State Park offers good options. "There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," notes Sambath T., adding that it's "perfect for families!"
Tips from RVers
Check covered bridge restrictions: The routes to some campgrounds have low clearance points. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," warns John L. about accessing Ashuelot River Campground.
Consider site angles: Some pull-through sites have challenging approaches. "You have to go down a small hill and bottom out the front and then drag the backend out of the dirt. This campground is not big rig friendly," cautions Jim B. about one location, highlighting the importance of researching access before arrival.
Firewood delivery services: Several campgrounds offer convenient delivery. "Firewood order arrived within minutes with a big smile and even took a few minutes to chat with my young son," noted Kevin Ó. about his stay, while another camper mentioned "Pallets of firewood are delivered to your site and reasonably priced."