Seasonal camping dominates the RV scene around Derry, New Hampshire, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Located in southern New Hampshire's Rockingham County, this region features a mix of wooded terrain and small lakes, with elevations ranging from 300-400 feet above sea level. Winter weather typically makes camping impractical from November through April, though a few campgrounds offer winter RV storage.
What to do
Lake activities at Sandy Beach Campground: This Contoocook campground offers multiple water recreation opportunities. A reviewer notes, "Sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site."
Golfing at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park: The main attraction here is the 9 or 18-hole golf course with pro shop and cart rentals. A visitor mentioned, "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc."
Shuttle service to beaches: At Thousand Trails Moody Beach, campers can reach nearby beaches without driving. As one camper noted, "Close to the beaches and main strip. You can either walk, catch the trollies or take a provided shuttle."
What campers like
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds offer organized activities and performances. A Tuxbury Pond visitor shared, "The live band was cool... the band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean & our 9 yr old did not get any of the jokes that were a little sassy."
Clean facilities at Silver Lakes Park Campground: This well-maintained property receives high marks for cleanliness. One reviewer stated, "This campground feels clean, safe and well-maintained. It is a step above many other campgrounds in the area."
Spacious waterfront access: Many prefer campgrounds with water access. A camper at Woodmore Family Campground commented, "The grounds were beautiful and the sites were a good size... right on a lake in the bottom of the beautiful mountain in New Hampshire."
What you should know
Cell service issues: Reception varies significantly at campgrounds near Derry. At Moody Beach, one camper noted, "The WiFi is awful away from the registration office. We were in the wooded area, but those camping on the outskirts seemed able to utilize their Starlink."
GPS navigation challenges: Navigation systems often provide incorrect directions. A Tuxbury Pond visitor warned, "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance."
Reservation systems vary: At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, booking through third parties can cause confusion. A camper explained, "You do not get a choice during the online booking to choose the campsite to reserve & the site # is not included in the confirmation email... I believe they use a 3rd party company for reservations."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options for children: Several campgrounds provide family amenities. At Beach Rose RV Park, a reviewer reported, "For children, there is a swimming pool, a basketball court and a small playground."
Alternative entertainment: Campgrounds often schedule entertainment for various age groups. A Tuxbury Pond visitor explained, "A staff member came to our site and let us know that there is an 18+ comedy show but there was a children's movie being played on a big screen on the other side of the campground."
Seasonal camper experience: At many RV parks near Derry, seasonal campers create a particular atmosphere. One visitor to Beach Rose RV Park observed, "We meet some seasonal campers that were very friendly and informative about the area. Great location from the ocean and some nice towns to visit."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and privacy: RV site sizes vary considerably around Derry. At Pine Acres Resort, a camper noted, "Our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together."
Sewer connection positioning: The location of hookups can cause challenges. At Seacoast Camping, one camper explained, "Our site (#124) was one of the new sites which they had just completed. It was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level. The roads in the park are fairly narrow and we had to drive over the grass across from our site in order to back in."
Site orientation challenges: At some campgrounds, site layouts affect the camping experience. A camper at Moody Beach observed, "We don't like the campsites being sideways or parallel to the road, it feels strange. This means that you share the space where you sit outside with the camper behind you, resulting in very little privacy."
