Campsites near Derry, New Hampshire offer diverse terrain options within a 30-minute drive radius. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet above sea level with cool spring nights that can dip into the 40s even in May. Campgrounds in this area typically operate from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, with several offering unique water access points for paddling opportunities.
What to do
Boat rentals at Pawtuckaway: Rent canoes and kayaks directly at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground for paddling on the lake. "You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," notes Susan B., who appreciates the well-stocked camp store.
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park features extensive biking networks suitable for multiple skill levels. "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," writes Eammon C., who found the trails accessible directly from campsites.
Historic exploration: Take a day trip to nearby Concord for revolutionary history sites. "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott," suggests Ann B., who recommends spending a morning in the historic downtown.
Golf and camping package: Combine outdoor recreation with golf at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park which features a 9 or 18-hole course on its 1300-acre property. "Camp and Golf whats more relaxing. Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents," notes Shawn C.
What campers like
Water access sites: Lakefront sites at Bear Brook State Park Campground provide direct water access for fishing. "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!" says Kimberly R., who has visited multiple times and enjoys the private sites.
Camp store amenities: Wakeda Campground offers a well-stocked trading post with camping supplies and convenience items. "The campground and bathrooms are kept very clean. The staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly," mentions Kelly F., who has been camping there for many years.
Proximity to beaches: Some campsites offer fast access to coastal areas. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff," writes Sara D. about Salisbury Beach State Reservation, noting it's "a win-win" for families who enjoy both ocean and camping.
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds schedule regular entertainment. "The live band was cool but we had golf carts & parked vehicles pretty much surrounding us & some right on our campsite," reports Sara D. at Tuxbury Pond, who unexpectedly enjoyed a comedy show that was "awesome" and family-appropriate.
What you should know
Site variations: Campsite privacy and size vary significantly within each campground. "The sites were a little close and difficult to set up with more than one tent in our specific campsite," explains Jackie G. about her experience at Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Seasonal fluctuations: Facilities and services change throughout the camping season. "It was the final weekend of the season, so that may explain the lack of attention to cleaning and upkeep of the restrooms," notes Jean C., who camped at Bear Brook in October.
Bathroom conditions: Shower and bathroom quality varies between campgrounds and even within facilities. "The bottom of one of the dishwashing sinks was coated with something that resembled dried coffee grounds," observed Jean C., though this was at season's end when maintenance decreases.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have noise challenges, particularly on weekends. "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," warns Madison G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas but with adequate buffer zones. At Calef Lake Camping Area, "Small campground but we had fun here. Small lake to swim in and a small playground. They had a beach dance which was really fun," shares Rhonda B.
Waterfront activities: Select campgrounds with swimming options during summer months. "What a beautiful location! If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" exclaims Erin W. about her summer trip to Pawtuckaway.
Wildlife watching opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local wildlife. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," writes Pawsfuradventure T. about Wakeda Campground, adding that the "beautiful massive forest" made for excellent wildlife viewing.
Family-friendly programming: Check campground event calendars for structured activities. "Family activities, playground, swimming pond that you can canoe in that looked fairly clean," mentions Sara D., who also noted that Calef Lake offered special weekend activities like painting for kids.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement challenges: Electrical and water hookup locations can create setup challenges. "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services," reports Carry M. about Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Seasonal camper considerations: Many campgrounds host numerous seasonal residents. "There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you," advises Betty H., noting that Minute Man Campground offers "great level site water and electric" options.
Navigation challenges: Internal campground roads may not match maps. "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!" warns Brittany V. about Minute Man, though she still rated it highly for its "heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU."
Extension cord requirements: Plan to bring power extension options. "Electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord," notes Jim C., who otherwise found Minute Man Campground convenient for Boston access, just a 30-minute drive away.
