Glamping options around Cornish, New Hampshire range from waterfront sites to forested retreats. The region sits within the Connecticut River Valley with elevations between 500-1,200 feet, creating varied camping microclimates. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer highs reach into the 80s, making May through October the primary camping season.
What to do
Explore Appalachian Trail sections: Gifford Woods State Park Campground has direct access to the Appalachian Trail running through the grounds. "The AT runs directly through this park. The ranger gave me an ice cream, pointed me to the showers and then chatted with me for an hour about my hike so far," notes one visitor to Gifford Woods State Park Campground.
Kayak the Ashuelot River: The Ashuelot River offers gentle paddling opportunities with rental equipment available. "We brought our kayaks and had no problem kayaking on the flat surface river," shares a camper at Ashuelot River Campground. The campground provides shuttle service for water sports or biking trips.
Seasonal festivals: The region hosts various seasonal celebrations, including hot air balloon events. "The hot air balloon festival is amazing! This is a safe, quiet family friendly campground," reports a visitor at Quechee Pine Valley KOA.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many glamping locations near Cornish offer secluded spots. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, "Larchmont is our favorite camp site. It is much larger than most sites, a short walk to the showers and a bit tucked away for privacy. We had two tents set up there, which is impossible for most sites."
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect to regional rail trails for hiking and biking. "You can pick up the Ashuelot Rail Trail at the campground. They have canoes and kayaks on site, plus a shuttle service for water sports or biking," notes a visitor about Ashuelot River Campground.
Winter yurt options: While most glamping sites operate seasonally, some yurts remain available during colder months. "We stayed in a cabin with our pup. This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc. This was glamping with a fire pit," shares one camper at Quechee Pine Valley KOA.
What you should know
Covered bridge limitations: Some access routes have covered bridges with height and weight restrictions. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low clearance and low weight limits," advises a camper at Ashuelot River Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted," reports a visitor to Moose Hillock Camping Resort.
Quarter-operated showers: Most state parks and some private campgrounds require quarters for showers. "Showers are $0.25 for 8 minutes. Modest camp store. Pallets of firewood are delivered to your site and reasonably priced," notes a camper at Ashuelot River Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Check site placement: When glamping with children, site location matters. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, "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 and find one on the opposite side of the ledge."
Organized activities: Some locations offer scheduled programming 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 a visitor to Quechee State Park Campground.
Consider terrain challenges: Campground topography can impact mobility. "The hilly terrain is insaneeee! If you have never been before, book a sight as close as possible to the pool and office, because the further you get, the higher the altitude," warns a Moose Hillock visitor with young children.
Tips from RVers
Follow specific arrival routes: RVers should note access limitations. "Highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross - we discovered this the hard way," cautions an RV camper at Ashuelot River Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. "Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance. The site was a pull-in which was kind of nice because the view out of our front windshield was of a wooded area," reports a camper with a 45-foot RV at Quechee Pine Valley KOA.
Limited hookup options: Many state parks lack full hookups. "They have sites along the river and a more wooden tent area as well. We stayed at the wooded tent area," notes a visitor to Crow's Nest Campground, where full hookup availability varies by site location.
