Seasonal camping near Contoocook, New Hampshire ranges from rugged tent sites to full-service RV resorts across elevations of 400-600 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with mid-summer temperatures averaging 80°F during the day and 60°F at night. Water activities draw many visitors, though several campgrounds impose specific restrictions on pond usage and swimming areas due to seasonal conditions.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for mountain bikers and hikers. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," notes one visitor who appreciated being able to "ride right off the campground and onto the trails."
Animal encounters: Friendly Beaver Campground maintains a small petting zoo. "We enjoyed their small but nice petting zoo of a few goats and a horse," mentions a reviewer who found this activity particularly appealing for young children.
Fishing opportunities: Oxbow Campground has multiple ponds designated for different activities. "They have 3 separate ponds-one for fishing, one for boating & the larger one is for swimming," reports a camper who used the facilities. Another visitor noted, "The fishing pond was perfect. I will be returning soon."
Water recreation: At Spacious Skies French Pond, visitors can enjoy a substantial body of water. One camper described it as "French Pond I'm guessing is at least 25 acres" and another mentioned wishing they "had more time to rent a kayak" during their stay.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive high marks for bathroom cleanliness. At Oxbow Campground, visitors note that "Tom takes great care to keep the grounds and the bathrooms/showers very clean." Another camper stated they were "the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever been to."
Privacy between sites: Greenfield State Park Campground offers more secluded sites. "The camping spots are spread out enough that you feel like you have privacy, even if you have neighbors," explains one camper. Another noted the "Large park. Good sized sites with plenty of shade and decent privacy."
Pool options: Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out with numerous swimming options. "7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)," details one reviewer who appreciates the variety. Another camper simply stated "Great campground. The pools are amazing. Kid pools. Adult pools! Adult hot tub."
Camp store convenience: Most established campgrounds maintain well-stocked stores. One visitor to Friendly Beaver Campground mentioned "their general store was adequate," while another camper at Oxbow noted the convenience of having supplies available on-site.
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: At several campgrounds, proximity to neighbors can be an issue. One camper at Keyser Pond Campground shared: "The tent sites are wicked small, packed together and so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet."
Seasonal camper population: Many campgrounds host primarily seasonal residents. At Autumn Hills Campground, a visitor observed that "it seems like the majority of the sites are seasonals." This can affect the atmosphere and availability for short-term stays.
Road noise: Location near highways affects some campgrounds. A Keyser Pond visitor noted sites are "so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet," while another mentioned "you can also hear the main road from the open style campsite."
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Bear Brook, one camper mentioned that "During the peak season, I'm sure it's a different story given its proximity to Concord and Manchester and the variety of activities available."
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Many campgrounds run organized events for children. At Autumn Hills Campground, "They do plan and host activities and events for the weekends." A visitor noted there were "a bunch of families and everyone seemed to be in good spirits."
Playground access: Consider site location relative to play areas. One Bear Brook visitor advised: "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site. If you want to be close to the play area, site 90 or the ones on the loop behind it are better options."
Swimming options for different ages: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers swimming areas appropriate for various age groups. "She enjoyed the playgrounds both at the campground and at the Catamount Pond beach. There's another beach in the campground itself," noted a visitor who camped with a 5-year-old.
Weather preparedness: Temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, even in summer. "The staff is friendly. Don't forget the flashlight. There is very little lighting to find your way around the winding roads of the campground which adds to the charm," advised a Spacious Skies French Pond visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger vehicles. At Autumn Hills, a camper noted: "Sites are on the small side, but it worked just fine. We stayed at site 14 needed a very long sewer hose."
Turning radius concerns: Bear Brook presents some navigation challenges. "I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner," advised one camper with a small trailer, adding that "the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer)."
Hookup considerations: Keyser Pond Campground offers full hookup sites with reasonable rates. "We paid $25 for a FHU site with that discount, so double that for normal rates," explained a visitor using Passport America. The camper also noted "Sites not fully level but leveling blocks took care of it."
Internet availability: WiFi access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Keyser Pond, "There's good free wifi at camp, and good cell reception with Verizon and ATT," while other campgrounds charge additional fees for connectivity.
