1 campground with availability this weekend
Spacious Skies Seven Maples in Hancock and Friendly Beaver Campground in New Boston offer cabin camping near Edward MacDowell Lake, with options ranging from rustic shelters to deluxe cabins with private bathrooms. Cabins at Spacious Skies Seven Maples provide comfortable shelter with basic amenities including electricity and beds. Some cabins feature kitchenettes and private bathrooms, while others require guests to use communal facilities. A recent review noted, "We stayed in the cabin with a kitchenette and bathroom. The shower worked well and it was nice not to have to walk to the restrooms, though they were close by." Most cabins are positioned within walking distance of campground amenities like playgrounds, pools, and fishing areas.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Family-sized accommodations sleep 4-6 people, making them suitable for group getaways. Reservations are essential during summer months, particularly for weekend stays. Most properties open seasonally from May through October, closing during winter. Pet policies vary by campground—Friendly Beaver Campground allows pets in select cabins while others may restrict animals entirely. According to one visitor, "We stayed late in the season during a chilly damp weekend and had the best time. We were right on the pond, so the kids could fish whenever."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties—some offer full kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves while others provide only basic amenities. On-site camp stores at several properties stock essential items and firewood. Cold Springs Camp Resort and Oxbow Campground maintain well-stocked markets for forgotten items. Visitors planning longer stays should consider bringing cooking supplies, food, and personal items, as rural locations may have limited shopping options nearby.
"We stayed in the cabin with a kitchenette and bathroom. The shower worked well and it was nice not to have to walk to the restrooms, though they were close by."
"A very nice shady campground with clean bathhouses - one with a moose guarding the entry - and common areas."
Campground full this weekend
from $55 - $999 / night
"Our site was very spacious, level and included a picnic table, fire ring, and nicely placed hookups for water and electric."
"Chuck and Laura are wonderful hosts and always available to help. The campground is clean, quiet, with plenty of open sites as well as sites in the woods."
from $47 - $70 / night
"Clean, well maintained, private bathrooms/showers. Store is best I have ever seen. Well stocked with everything you could need. Stayed in cabin and tented, as well."
"They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events. Separate and Clean bathrooms with showers. Store has all you need. We’ll be going back again this year."
from $60 - $130 / night
"I found some more pictures from my camping trip here, and I wanted to share them. I loved it here, it was a great little campground for massachusetts"
"Even on the busier side, it was still quiet and our site was fairly private. Right on a stream and a short walk to the bathrooms and hiking trails."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $55 / night
"Clean, WiFi available, a pond for swimming, playground, free paddle boats :), a recreational hall with a pool table & video games, laundromat. They have lots of fun family activities!"
"They have 2 cabins to rent. And the rest is rvs. The bathrooms are the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever been to. Everyone is so nice and welcoming."
from $30 - $45 / night
"Beautiful, extremely clean bathrooms, reasonably priced little cafe, big camp store, very friendly staff, 4 outdoor pools & pretty big campground that has a gated entry/exit that needs a key card pass"
"All of the bathrooms, showers, site and other places were all clean and well cared for. We had a nice site by the pond. It was peaceful while still being busy withe plenty of kids."
from $69 - $130 / night
"This campground provides some great wooded camp sites. Some are larger than others and some are more private than others. There are two bathrooms centrally located - nice and clean."
"I was looking for a nearby, bare bones campground with a shower and cell service that would do the trick while traveling to a weekend event."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $35 / night
"Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. "
"This campground is small - but its conveniently located near a larger city if you decide you want to venture back to civilization. The trails in the park are nice and well maintained."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $55 / night
"Heated pool, laundry, Wi-Fi that works, cable, 50 amp FHU. Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren’t the straight lines on their map! Good fire pit and nice facilities"
"At first (and this has nothing to do with camp it’s the people and their pets that make or break a visit) we had lots kid noise some had 8 kids!!"
from $44 - $999 / night
from $35 - $42 / night
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
ScoutThe recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
ScoutWe came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
ScoutWe have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
ScoutNothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
ScoutWe brought the kids and they found plenty to do. Between the pool, river and recreation area, they were pretty much entertained the entire trip.
ScoutWe rented a cabin and honestly it was perfect for what we needed. Spent the days exploring around Lake Sunapee and came back here to relax at night.
ScoutFirst time camping in this area and we really liked it. The pool kept the kids busy and we spent the evenings around the fire.
Cabins near Edward MacDowell Lake offer rustic to modern accommodations between May and October. Most are situated in wooded settings at elevations around 800-1000 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures than coastal areas. Winter closures are standard for campgrounds in this region due to freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that typically begins in late October.
Fishing opportunities: At Ashuelot River Campground, campers can enjoy both pond and river fishing. "We passed over this site on our first trip to the area but are glad we came here and we're planning to return. Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," advises John L.
Water activities: Calm waters for tubing and paddling are available at several locations. "Great riverfront location. Huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want?" notes Wayne B. about the flat water perfect for beginners. Kayak and canoe rentals cost $15-25 per day at most locations.
Hiking trails: The area features interconnected trail systems between parks. At Otter River State Forest, "So clean, quiet, friendly staff, great trails and lots of exploring and lounging by the fire," reports Anna B. Most trails are moderate difficulty with minimal elevation gain, making them family-friendly.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness is consistently noted across several properties. At Pearl Hill State Park Campground, "Bathrooms were clean and well stocked," reports Alan. Campgrounds with updated facilities typically charge $2-4 for hot showers using quarters.
Pool options: Multiple swimming areas are available for different preferences. "Very family centric, 7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)," notes Kara C. about Cold Springs Camp Resort. Most pools operate from 9am-8pm during summer months.
Wooded sites: Forested camping spots provide natural privacy and shade. "The towering pines and oaks provide wonderful shade. The park back up to Willard Brook State Forest and a trail joins the two of them, providing ample hiking and biking opportunities," says Jean C. Pine needles can create sticky conditions on tent floors, so campers often bring outdoor rugs.
Seasonal campers: Many campgrounds have a high percentage of seasonal occupants. "All everyone does here is ride around in Golf carts with cases of beer and get drunk. Not my scene! It's an underfunded trailer park," notes Steve E. about Friendly Beaver Campground. Weekend reservations should be made 4-6 weeks in advance during peak season.
Site sizes vary significantly: Tent campers should research specific sites before booking. "All tent sites are in the way back of the campground. It is very weird... the office (which is only open until 5 PM????? Whaaaat????) Is across the street from where all the campsites are located," reports Sarah B. at Swanzey Lake Camping Area.
Off-season limitations: Services are reduced outside summer months. "We stayed late in the season during a chilly damp weekend and had the best time," reports a camper. Most water systems are winterized by mid-October, and some bathhouses close earlier in fall when temperatures drop below freezing overnight.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature updated play areas for different age groups. "Our son liked the playground and it was unfortunately too cold for the pool but it looked fun! It has a big slide and what looks like a splash pad," notes a visitor. Most playgrounds are centrally located within short walking distance of cabin areas.
Special events: Weekend activities are common during summer. "Great family oriented campground with fishing pond and great fishing spots nearby. Lots of great kids events around the holidays, basketball court, swimming, etc.," shares a camper. Many properties organize weekend themed events between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Water safety considerations: Swimming areas have varied supervision levels. "The pool is amazing for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area. There's no life guard or staff monitoring the pool area so it did get a little too crazy at times for my little ones," cautions Erin M. from Willard Brook State Forest Campground.
Power limitations: Electrical service quality differs between properties. "Had issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities While my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue," warns Zachary W. Most cabin units offer 20-30 amp service sufficient for basic appliances.
Narrow access roads: Large vehicles face challenges at several locations. "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!" notes Brittany V. about Spacious Skies Minute Man. Maximum RV length is typically 30-35 feet at most properties, with cabin areas often having tighter turning radiuses.
Off-grid preparation: Cell service is unreliable throughout the region. "I lost cell coverage (Verizon) as I approached the campground, so you may want to ensure you have maps downloaded for offline use if you'll be out exploring," advises Jean C. Cabins near Edward MacDowell Lake generally lack WiFi, and when available, connectivity costs $5-10 per device per stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Edward MacDowell Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Edward MacDowell Lake is Spacious Skies Seven Maples with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Edward MacDowell Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 cabin camping locations near Edward MacDowell Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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