Best Cabin Camping near Contoocook, NH

Westward Shores is an expansive resort located on Ossipee Lake. It caters primarily to seasonal campers and those with RVs, but can accommodate tenters as well. There are a couple of camping cabins starting at $70/night shoulder season and cottages that sleep 8-20 (at significantly higher prices).

The campground is so large that many people get around on golf carts. There are ongoing renovations and new areas, so it still looks a little rough around the edges in places. Lots are large and level with pea gravel and hookups; if you are in a tent, you’ll want to be sure to have adequate padding for sleeping. Additionally, you’ll want one of the more basic campsites located near a bathroom. Some of the loops do not yet have facilities (Aug 2019). The bathrooms are basic and clean.

The primary appeal is the location on beautiful Ossipee Lake with beaches, a marina, and kayak and SUP rentals. There is plenty to entertain the children, with playgrounds, bounce pillows, gaga pit, basketball, and tennis to name just a few. Kids were everywhere on their bicycles.

They didn’t offer up prices when we stopped at the office, so I was dreading the worst, but when I checked online, the RV sites range from $50-56 with hookups, picnic table, and fire ring and there are special rates/deals for extended stays. These rates are a significantly lower than a nearby resort campground that starts at $65/night... but then I discovered this is only true during the shoulder season. My fears have been realized... peak season will set you back $87-95/ night and the camping cabin is $117. These are slightly more expensive than a nearby resort that offers a few more/ different amenities, albeit not on Ossipee Lake.

Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day. Utility sink for dishes available in heated bathhouse. Squeaky clean - and that’s not always easy especially in the winter when everyone drags snow, slush and mud into the bathroom. Thank you for sticking to such high standards. Will come again.

We stayed for a winter weekend, they have a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round. There are a ton of full time seasonal RV's as many people use this campground as a base for snow machining. Cons: Lots of rules: must provide a$10.00 refundable cash deposit for gate card, bring cash or else enjoy the atm fees, the age limit for hot tub is 14 YO and strictly enforced, Lots of entrenched seasonal single wides that give this facility a mobile home park feel. The hot water in the showers either never happened or took 5 min or more to actually get hot enough to shower, The small green benches in the shower stalls hadn't been moved and cleaned under in a while, lots of nastiness down there. My brother in law came to pick up clothes for his kids from us and we had to pay $8.00 for him to be in the camp for 45 min, it sucks to be nickel and dimed. Pros: Friendly and attentive staff, location, 4 season, heated indoor pool and hot tub, Book at Meredith Woods, also use Clearwater Campground across the way, 4 way hook ups, fair cost per night (in winter, not sure about peak costs) camp store prices were fair. I would consider trying this campground in the warmer months, apparently they fill up and with two campgrounds in one, that makes sense.

Lovely wooded campground where you can swim, hike, kayak, bike, canoe, fish, boulder, geocache and explore to your heart's content. Generally large and level sites, many with water access, Make your reservation well in advance if you're planning to visit during peak season or if you want a prime waterfront site. Sites on Horse Island will cost you $5 more than those on Big Island, but many of the sites are directly on the water, making it easy to slip your boat into the lake from your site. There's a campers only boat launch on Horse Island. Much of the lake is better suited to paddle craft rather than motor boats due to it's shallow nature and rocks. The an expansive beach as well, a camp store and boat rentals.

I've had a weekend when my neighbors were playing loud music all afternoon and stumbled drunk through my campsite after dark and other weekends when it was hard to tell there was anyone around.

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. Site 73 is near the bath house, but it has a long approach that provides a little privacy and it's higher than the surrounding sites with water access. Sites in the 3-15 range are waterfront, but they're higher off the water. Site 43-45 are great. Those along the southern edge of Horse Island offer a more level entry. Roads are narrow and many of the site entrances are narrow with rock/tree obstructions in places that may make backing in more of a challenge to thsoe with trailers or RVs. No hookups.

The bath houses are tired, but they offer free showers. Would love to see them renovated and brightened up. Big Island also has cabins available. Phone coverage is poor (Verizon); can usually get texts out. If you want to geocache, download the info for offline use!

If you are used to camping with pets, you'll need to visit outside of peak season as they are not allowed in the campground Memorial Day to Columbus Day and never on the beach.

It has a longer season than many campgrounds in New Hampshire, running to the end of October, and you can generally get a site last minute if you're waiting on the weather and don't need/want a water site. Its proximity to Boston makes it great for a quick getaway.

Con: Signage is awful! Hard to find park, office and cabins! Once there, Looong drive to both campground and Cabins.

Pro: cabins are on a remote lake. Perfect for star gazing! Rustic but comfy (beds) cabins. Bring all your own stuff. No electricity, so no lights. Our cabin had a steep path. Others did not.

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. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

The spots them selves had a fire pure with grill grate and a picnic table. A parking spot and a decent amount of room to spread out. The have a hike with a fire tower at the top and you can see for miles every which way. Theres a lake and spots to swim with beach access. And they have kayak rentals. I love this place and a few friends an I go every year. Oh on a ledge at the top of the hike I also proposed to my wife. I 100%recommend this area for a fun get away

Silver Lake Park Campground and Cabins was an incredibly well maintained campground off Jamestown Road in Belmont NH.  Brent and Dee Phillips have owned this campground for 3 seasons - and their love for this place shows! 

This is a very clean, quiet, gated campground, with easy beach access for the kids (and launching space for pontoon or bass boats).  There is a playground, rentable kayaks and canoes, a basketball goal, frisbee golf, corn hole, horseshoes, yard darts etc.  Pets are asked to stay home. 

Brent and Dee offer both wifi and laundry facilities available to campers, and while most campers are seasonal campers, they do offer around 10 overnight sites for both tent campers and RV's.  Cabins are available for rent and firewood is for sale in the camp store.  

This campground feels clean, safe and well-maintained.  It is a step above many other campgrounds in the area and well worth giving Dee a call!   (603-524-6289)

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.

Amenities such as camp fire wood are available but if you really need anything, you can hop over to Rochester, NH in a heartbeat.

Few (if any) organized activities, this is a quiet, family campground which is perfect for reflection. That is why we keep going back.

Love the facilities. Clean, well maintained, private bathrooms/showers. Store is best I have ever seen. Well stocked with everything you could need. Stayed in cabin and tented, as well. Only negative is that there transient RV sites seem crowded, and many are out in open area. I prefer trees, but this wont keep us away from trying out RV sites this year.

We’ve been here numberous times to visit friends on seasonal sites. Always clean, new store and food truck(smells delicious). 2 nice beaches on lake with boat ramp. Kayaks you can rent. Jump pad with 2 playgrounds and ball field for kids. Brand new cabins if you don’t like tents or campers. Booked another stay for next month.

I have loved this campground for a long time. There is so much to do and it is close to everything. They have just remodeled so I haven't seen the new cabins but I am sure they are great. This is my hometown and I have always loved going there. It is great for group events, hiking, or swimming for the day.Too much to do!

Are Pets Allowed at Pawtuckaway State Park?

 Leashed pets are welcome on hiking trails only. Pets are NOT permitted in the campground or beach area during the summer season(May 1- September 30).*Campers are only allowed to bring pets before May 1 and after September 30, which includes the cabins. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/pawtuckaway-state-park

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. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equip with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond. The sites are fairly large and if you need some privacy, reserve site 12. There is a great trail that is around Beaver Pond, roughly 2-3 miles with plenty of opportunities for dogs to swim, yeah for dog friendly! This campground is beautiful, quiet in places and has everything you need for a great weekend away!