Cabin camping near Epsom, New Hampshire offers year-round access to the diverse forests of southern New Hampshire. The region sits at the eastern edge of the Merrimack Valley, surrounded by glacial lakes and rolling hills with elevations between 400-900 feet. Winter cabin rentals often experience nighttime temperatures below 20°F from December through February, while summer daytime temperatures typically reach 80-85°F.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides direct access to mountain trails with varying difficulty levels. "There are pretty serious trails up and around some mountains, to a fire tower, ponds," notes one visitor. The park features wildlife-filled wetlands and unique geological formations.
Paddle sports: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers rental canoes and kayaks for exploring its lake system. "This a fantastic little camp if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," reports a camper.
Swimming options: Most cabin locations provide swimming access from late May through early September. "The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," explains a visitor about the swimming area at Pawtuckaway.
Winter activities: Some cabin sites remain operational year-round, particularly those near Gunstock Campground. The adjacent ski resort offers winter recreation opportunities when most other cabin facilities close for the season.
What campers like
Lakefront locations: Cabins with water views are consistently cited as top choices. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" mentions a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park. These premium locations typically require reservations 4-6 months in advance.
Off-season quiet: Spring and fall cabin stays offer more solitude. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet," notes a Pawtuckaway camper.
Wildlife encounters: Bear Brook State Park Campground cabins provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," recalls a visitor who stayed at a lakeside site.
Camp stores: Several cabin locations maintain well-stocked stores with essentials. "The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip," reports a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most cabin sites maintain specific operational calendars. "We stayed here twice, once in September 2013 and then again in September 2018 and it is one of my favorites," notes a Pawtuckaway visitor, highlighting that fall is an optimal season for cabin stays.
Bathhouse considerations: Cabin guests should check bathhouse conditions and locations when booking. "The closest bath/shower was well kept, with four bathroom stalls and the one huge shower, I imagine that the wait times in the summer months might be a hassle but in the off season it was hardly used," explains a camper at Pawtuckaway.
Ranger availability: Staff coverage varies by season and time of week. "On Friday afternoon from about 1pm (when we first arrived) til 5 (when we last checked) the ranger station was closed, so we couldn't check in or get wood," reports a visitor at Pawtuckaway State Park.
Site selection importance: Calef Lake Camping Area offers cabins with varying privacy levels. "They originally booked us on a site so small, our tent wouldn't even fit so we weren't going to be able to have a fire because our tent was so close to it. Went to the desk and they switched us to a different site a couple sites down that was much larger," shares one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin locations maintain playground facilities. "The campground is perfect for a quick escape from southern NH without going too far north! Located in Alton, this quiet family owned campground is a favorite among our group!" notes a visitor to Calef Lake Camping Area, which features family-friendly amenities.
Kid-friendly activities: Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA maintains structured recreation options. "This Campground is family friendly and has a lot to offer. Our camping group consisted of children from the ages of 8-17 yrs old. No one was bored," shares a visitor.
Noise considerations: Family cabins may experience varying noise levels. "Side note.. campers aren't respectful of other campers and very noisy here," cautions a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park about summer weekend stays.
Family shower facilities: Bathroom accessibility matters for family cabin stays. "The bathhouse was closed so we had to use Porta potties," notes a Calef Lake visitor, highlighting the importance of verifying facility status when traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Winter access: Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages remains open year-round for cabin rentals when most seasonal RV sites close. "Ayers lake campground in New Hampshire is a well kept secret. Small and family owned and operated, this campground offers some of the greatest vistas of a small New Hampshire pond we have seen," reports a visitor.
Off-grid preparation: Many cabin sites lack reliable cellular coverage. "Cell phone coverage varies from 1-2 bars, not always 4G, on Verizon," notes a camper about Bear Brook State Park, suggesting visitors download maps and information before arrival.
Power considerations: Cabin electricity varies significantly across locations. "For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon," explains a Bear Brook visitor, highlighting the importance of checking both power and connectivity options when booking.
