Camping areas near Deerfield, New Hampshire sit within the eastern region of Merrimack County, with elevations ranging from 450 to 800 feet. The region experiences cool summers with average July temperatures around 70°F and cold winters that allow for year-round camping opportunities at some locations. Winter camping is possible at several sites including Hancock Campground, where night temperatures can drop below 20°F during December through March.
What to do
Winter camping experiences: Hancock Campground offers year-round accessibility, making it ideal for cold-weather adventures. "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites," shares Heather B. The campground remains operational during snowy months when many others close.
Swimming in natural settings: Natural swimming areas are available at several campgrounds within driving distance. At Groton Forest Road Campground, campers report excellent water recreation. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," notes Reid B., highlighting the ready-to-use water equipment.
Hiking direct from campsites: Trail access directly from camping areas saves driving time. At New Discovery State Park Campground, Laura M. points out, "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers." The integrated trail systems connect camping areas with recreational activities without requiring vehicle travel.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Sites adjacent to flowing water provide natural white noise and recreation access. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene," reports Sambath T. about New Discovery State Park Campground. These water-adjacent sites typically fill first during peak season.
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently value separation from neighboring sites. Gunstock Campground offers well-spaced areas according to Ryan F., who notes: "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet." The campground design maintains sound buffering even in non-wooded sections.
Bear-safe storage options: Sites with built-in wildlife protection measures reduce camping concerns. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," writes Lindsey M. about Hancock Campground. These metal food storage containers come standard at many sites.
What you should know
Insect activity varies by site: Bee populations can affect camping comfort at certain locations. "Our site was completely swarmed with bees. We checked a few vacant sites to see if maybe it was just our site, but we found them all around," reports Lindsey M. about Hancock Campground. Bug activity tends to decrease during evening hours and in cooler months.
Bathroom maintenance inconsistencies: Facility upkeep can vary by season and staffing. Robin B. notes about New Discovery: "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend." Bringing backup supplies helps mitigate these potential issues.
Equestrian accommodations limited: While searching for horse campgrounds near Deerfield, New Hampshire, riders should note that specialized equestrian facilities are minimal. Most campgrounds permit pets but lack designated horse areas. No reviewed campgrounds advertise dedicated horse corrals, though Gunstock Campground offers extensive grounds that may accommodate larger animals with advance permission.
Tips for camping with families
Adventure activities on-site: Some campgrounds integrate recreational facilities directly into the camping experience. Kasey H. says of Gunstock Campground: "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc." These built-in activities reduce travel needs for family entertainment.
Look for tent platforms: Elevated camping spots improve sleeping comfort on uneven terrain. Sara D. notes about Gunstock: "Platform on campsite... So many roots all over the sites, the platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it." Check platform dimensions when booking if using larger family tents.
Consider walk-in distance: Family camping requires evaluating gear transport needs. At Hancock Campground, Tara S. advises: "We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August... we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community." Bringing wheeled carts helps manage carry-in distances with family gear.
Tips from RVers
Non-standard water connections: RVers should prepare for variations in water hookup configurations. Laura M. experienced challenges at New Discovery: "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results... Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank." Bringing multiple connector types helps ensure successful water hookups.
Site selection crucial for rig size: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles despite campground advertising. Melissa B. advises about Gunstock Campground: "Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs." Request specific site dimensions when booking equestrian camping near Deerfield, New Hampshire to ensure trailer compatibility.
