Camping options near Derry, New Hampshire span several counties within a 30-minute drive radius. The region sits at an elevation between 300-400 feet with rocky terrain and mixed hardwood-conifer forests. Many campgrounds remain open from early May through mid-October, with nighttime temperatures dropping to the 40s in spring and fall, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
What to do
Hiking through historic sites: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems suitable for all skill levels. "The park is very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking. The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites," notes Gabby M. The park spans 10,000 acres of forest preserve with numerous historical points of interest.
Mountain biking: The region offers technical trails for cycling enthusiasts. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The biking trails were a blast," shares Eammon C. about Bear Brook State Park. Kimberly R. adds, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!"
Water activities: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation options. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," explains Matt R. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals for those without their own equipment.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise lakeside accommodations at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" reports J L. Sites on Big Island receive particular mention: "We stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake," shares Ellen C.
Private, wooded settings: Harold Parker State Forest offers secluded camping experiences. "The sites are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," according to Kelly F. Jean C. notes site variations: "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees."
Family recreation: Wakeda Campground provides numerous activities for all ages. "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere. They offered electric, water, and sewer hook up, trading post that had camping goods and snacks, WiFi hotspot, pool table, and lounging area," describes Pawsfuradventure T. Martin S. adds, "Employees are very welcoming and the place is clean. Quite big but secluded spots at the same time."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring camping requires preparation. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around," shares Kris M. about their Pawtuckaway experience. "On Friday afternoon from about 1pm (when we first arrived) til 5 (when we last checked) the ranger station was closed, so we couldn't check in or get wood."
Campground policies: Spacious Skies Minute Man enforces specific rules visitors should note. "Only down side is office is inflexible on $25 fee if you arrive before 2 pm," mentions mary F. Alcohol restrictions apply at several parks, with John O. noting about Salisbury Beach: "Good sites, with water and 30 amp electric. Easy walk to the beach. Dog friendly, big dump site, and good prices."
Seasonal variations: Campground experiences differ significantly by season. "This campground is beautiful and in a nice location in the state park but is really crowded in the summer months with large groups of loud children," Madison G. warns about Pawtuckaway. Anna C. recommends visiting during quieter periods: "I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers direct ocean proximity. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!" reports Sara D. Susan B. adds about Pawtuckaway: "The walk to the beach was along a public parking lot. The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked."
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The camp store offer a few basics and a selection of Bear Brook attire," Jean C. notes about Bear Brook, which includes playgrounds at both the campground and beach areas. Small children particularly enjoy these facilities during non-peak seasons when they're less crowded.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for animal sightings. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," reports Pawsfuradventure T. about Wakeda Campground. Ellen C. shares about Pawtuckaway: "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check utility placement before setup at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground. "Our site was in a field that was near the bathrooms. We were on S1, near a septic pipe & there was a severely nauseating, strong smell of sewage coming from it," warns Sara D. Jim C. notes about Minute Man Campground: "Good level site water and electric (full hookups also available) electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord."
Site navigation: Some campgrounds present maneuvering challenges. "I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner," Jean C. cautions about Bear Brook. At Minute Man, Brittany V. observes: "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!"
Full-hookup availability: Research utility options in advance. "We camped here for a week, our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean," Betty H. shares about Tuxbury Pond. Utilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering only water and electric while others provide full sewer connections.
