Equestrian facilities remain minimal at campgrounds surrounding Edward MacDowell Lake, though several properties accommodate various camping styles within driving distance. The region features rolling New Hampshire terrain with a mix of wooded and open landscapes across Hillsborough County, where seasonal camping dominates from late spring through fall. Water access varies significantly between properties, with some offering pond frontage while others focus on land-based activities.
What to do
Golf while camping: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park spans 1300 acres with a 9 or 18-hole course, pro shop, and golf cart rentals. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," notes reviewer Christy C. about Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Fishing opportunities: Several area campgrounds offer fishing access, particularly at stocked ponds. Tippicanoe Campground features a trout pond stocked by New Hampshire Fish and Game. "Rand Pond is the body of water at the campground and is restricted to under 10 HP boats. It is stocked with rainbow trout by the State of NH and is a spring fed sandy bottom pond," explains David G. from Tippicanoe Campground.
Swimming at campground beaches: During summer months, campgrounds with water features provide swimming options. "The amenities are state of the art, clean laundry center, restrooms, bath house, grocery store, bar & grill, playground & 2 swimming beaches," reports Christy about Hidden Valley's facilities.
What campers like
Spacious sites with views: Some properties in the region offer well-positioned campsites with scenic vistas. "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" shares Anne G. about her experience at Ramblewood Cabins and Campground.
Family ownership atmosphere: The personal touch from owners creates positive experiences for visitors. "We had interactions with both Drew & Lauri Simonsen (brother & Sister) during our 2 night stay. Our generator was down and we needed to pick up our friend at the airport. Lauri loaned us her minivan to go to the airport and Drew loaned us some tools to work on the RV," recalls Christy about Hidden Valley's management.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campground infrastructure rates highly among visitors. "This campground is run by a very pleasant couple who take great pride in this property. Everything is immaculate from the bathrooms, shower, clubhouse, store and grounds so you can relax and know that the kids are safe," notes David about Tippicanoe's cleanliness standards.
What you should know
Seasonal camper dominance: Many facilities primarily serve long-term seasonal residents rather than short-term visitors. "A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," mentions Christy about Hidden Valley, while David adds that at Tippicanoe, "Many seasonal campers have been here for years and keep coming back for the friends and activities."
Limited tent camping options: RV sites predominate at several area campgrounds. "I did not see any tents there, only hard-sided units," observes Christy about Hidden Valley, while David notes at Tippicanoe there are "Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds."
Uneven site quality: Site conditions vary significantly between and within campgrounds. "Unfortunately, I can't give high marks to our campsite. 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 NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Properties with dedicated children's facilities provide better family experiences. "The kids were given a lot of grace and hung out in the grill/game room area for hours on end to use the wi-fi," shares Christy about Hidden Valley's accommodating approach to younger guests.
Safety considerations: Look for campgrounds that prioritize family safety through layout and monitoring. David notes that at Tippicanoe, "you can relax and know that the kids are safe and you will be stress-free for your stay."
Alternative accommodations: Beyond traditional tent or RV camping, some properties offer cabin options for families seeking more comfort. Jelena's Campground provides cabin and glamping accommodations that may better suit families with young children or those new to outdoor recreation.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Many regional campgrounds offer complete utility connections. "The sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups," explains David about Tippicanoe's infrastructure.
Site positioning challenges: Some properties feature awkwardly arranged utility connections. Carry notes at Hidden Valley, "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."
Dump station access: For campers without sewer hookups, dump station availability becomes important. Shawn C. mentions, "Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents," at Hidden Valley, where the extended-stay focus means understanding waste disposal options matters for short-term visitors.
