Cabin camping near Claremont, New Hampshire offers accommodations within 30 miles of the city, situated in the Connecticut River Valley at elevations between 500-1,500 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 80°F and winter temperatures often below freezing from December through March. Most campgrounds open from May through mid-October with cabins frequently booked 2-3 months in advance during peak summer season.
What to do
Trail exploration: Accessible from Quechee State Park Campground, which offers a direct trail to Quechee Gorge. "There is a 'campers only' access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail," notes one visitor who stayed for a week. The trail connects to other recreational areas within a 10-minute walk.
Swimming and wading: Available at Winhall Brook Camping Area, where two rivers meet to create multiple swimming spots. "Nice rocky beachesque swimming area on the river on the grounds," writes one camper. The shallow areas are suitable for children, while deeper sections accommodate adults looking to cool off during summer months.
Local attractions: Within 15 minutes of most cabin sites. "The town of Woodstock is a short drive west, and Killington Resort is a bit west of that. Killington offers summer mountain biking, zip lines, adventure climbs and roller coasters, as well as the K1 Gondola to the peak," shares a visitor describing day trips from their campsite.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathrooms and common areas at Gifford Woods State Park Campground. "The bathrooms are super clean. Staff is friendly. Seasoned firewood available for purchase ($6 a stack)," notes a recent visitor. Most cabin locations are inspected daily with maintenance staff on-site.
Site privacy: Varies significantly between locations. "The sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters," explains one camper about their experience. Sites farther from main roads typically offer more seclusion.
Firewood delivery: Available at Crow's Nest Campground. "The site delivery of buckets and pallets of wood are a nice service. Owners are quite nice, I talked to them briefly," writes a tent camper. Wood costs between $6-12 per bundle with delivery included at most locations.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Road proximity affects some sites. "We stayed at sight #3. We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall. 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."
Seasonal availability: Most cabins close mid-October. "We hit this campground for one over night as we past through. Good spot with easy access to the Gorge. Bathroom were clean and the grounds were quite at night." Most locations take final reservations for the second weekend in October.
Bathroom facilities: Vary significantly between properties. At Caton Place Campground, a visitor observed: "Bath House is currently being updated. It is very clean." Some cabins share bathroom facilities while others have private options with varying costs.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Available at several parks during summer months. "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 a parent about their experience with organized activities.
Kid-friendly amenities: Swimming areas, playgrounds, and open spaces. "This campground is small and quaint and kept in immaculate condition. The staff are so courteous and informative. We go every year and it's one of our favorite stops!" mentions a regular visitor with children.
Multi-generational activities: Options for various age groups. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "the staff were very helpful, meeting all of our needs promptly and always with a smile." Their facilities include programmed activities throughout the day for different age groups.
Tips from RVers
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access. "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." Always call ahead to verify your cabin site can accommodate your vehicle.
Site selection: Prioritize location over hookups. "The river sites are pretty close together with little privacy. As a tent camper, I greatly appreciate the outdoor sinks for dishwashing at the bathrooms." Many campers recommend riverside sites despite potential crowding.
Seasonal considerations: Early booking required for summer weekends. "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. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful."
