Pawtuckaway State Park Campground operates from May through October, situated within a 5,000-acre protected area near Epping, New Hampshire. At an elevation of 550 feet above sea level, the region experiences mild summers with temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F. The campground's terrain features a mix of pine forest and lake access points with sandy shorelines. Glamping cabins at multiple campgrounds around Epping provide options for those seeking comfort while exploring New Hampshire's southern region.
What to do
Explore local hiking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems throughout its 10,000-acre forest preserve. "There seemed to be plenty of things to do like hike, fish, swim. Manchester is not too far for places to go out and eat at," notes a visitor.
Visit multiple swimming areas: The camping areas around Epping feature several swimming options beyond Pawtuckaway Lake. At Bear Brook State Park Campground, "the swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers," according to one reviewer who appreciated the varied water options.
Try local mountain biking: The trail systems near Epping cater to various skill levels. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and weren't disappointed. The biking trails were a blast," reports a visitor to Bear Brook State Park. Another camper notes, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!"
Play miniature golf: At Wakeda Campground, visitors can enjoy on-site activities without traveling. The campground features "miniature golf (fee)" among its recreational options. A visitor describes it as "a nice no frills campground" with various amenities to keep campers occupied.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some glamping spots near Epping provide better separation than others. At Calef Lake Camping Area, a camper noted, "I clearly had one of the largest and most private tent sites. It was set back with a long driveway tucked between 522 and 524."
Lake access for swimming: Waterfront options exist beyond just Pawtuckaway. "Beautiful location in southern NH! Located beside a lake, the water is great for swimming, and the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike," writes a visitor to Calef Lake.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many glamping sites near Epping prioritize cleanliness. A visitor to Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort states, "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campgrounds we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. WiFi service was excellent."
Proximity to coastal areas: Glamping close to Epping provides convenient access to New Hampshire's limited coastline. "The park is in a good location and pretty close to the beach, restaurants, shopping and access to Route 1. You are also just twenty minutes or so to Portsmouth and Newburyport which are some of our favorite New England coastal towns," shares a visitor to Sea Coast Camping.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Not all sites at these campgrounds offer equal appeal. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, one camper reported, "The tent sites are way too close to each other... no privacy at all, and lots of noise at night from kids staying in RVs, screaming until 11pm."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. A camper at Tuxbury Pond noted, "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," while others reported intermittent service at other locations.
Seasonal variations: Bear Brook State Park's availability extends beyond summer. "I hadn't camped here in the past 8 years, so decided it was time to revisit; it helped that it was one of the campgrounds still open after Columbus Day weekend."
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and availability of bathrooms can differ significantly. "Bathhouses offer coin-operated showers; I noticed a price difference between the two of them, so went with the less expensive option!" shared a Bear Brook visitor, while others noted facilities ranging from "immaculate" to "needs a good cleaning."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers multiple recreation options. "The amenities are state of the art, clean laundry center, restrooms, bath house, grocery store, bar & grill, playground & 2 swimming beaches," according to one visitor.
Kid-friendly entertainment: Organized activities keep children engaged at several locations. Winding River Campground features "foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music to name a few. Staff were friendly and helpful," shares a recent visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families can observe local fauna at several locations. At Bear Brook, campers report seeing "wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird" while exploring the grounds.
Tent placement considerations: When glamping with children near Epping, site selection matters. A Calef Lake visitor advises, "It's a very steep drop into the river making most sites a little nerve-wracking with a little one."
Tips from RVers
Utility access points: At Hidden Valley, one RVer noted, "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."
Site leveling challenges: Winding River Campground has varied terrain. "The ground was very rocky making staking tents down difficult," reports a visitor, suggesting RVs may face similar leveling issues.
Water quality variations: Clean drinking water isn't universal. A Sea Coast camper highlighted, "Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across," showing that utility quality differs between glamping locations near Epping.
Power reliability: Electricity service varies between campgrounds. At Sea Coast, campers report "no issues with electric, sewer or water hookups," while visitors to other locations mentioned occasional power fluctuations.
