Dog-Friendly Camping near Epsom, NH

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    Epsom Valley Campground's pet-friendly sites offer spacious spots for RV and tent camping with full hookups, giving campers with dogs ample room along the Suncook River. Lazy River Family Campground and Circle 9 Ranch Campground also welcome pets, with most sites providing water and electric hookups for comfortable stays. Pets must be leashed throughout these campgrounds, with designated areas for dog walking and waste disposal. Bear Brook State Park Campground, located within a 15-minute drive, extends pet access to its trails and swimming areas, though pets must remain on leash. The campground bathrooms maintain cleanliness standards important for campers traveling with animals. Some sites at Epsom Valley provide extra privacy in their "wilderness area," with secluded spots that still offer full hookups for campers with pets.

    Hiking trails surrounding the Epsom area campgrounds provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with Bear Brook State Park offering over 40 miles of pet-accessible trails. The Suncook River runs alongside several campgrounds, allowing pets supervised water access for cooling off during summer months. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM, which helps prevent excessive barking disruptions. Seasonal considerations include checking for ticks after trail walks, particularly in wooded areas during spring and summer. Great Meadow Campground in nearby Chichester requires pets be leashed at all times but provides generous space between sites. The staff at these campgrounds maintain a friendly attitude toward pet owners, though barking policies are strictly enforced at most locations to ensure all guests enjoy their stay.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Epsom (169)

      1. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

      4.2(44)13mi from Epsom189 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone."

      "Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."

      from $35 - $140 / night

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      2. Bear Brook State Park Campground

      4.4(28)7mi from Epsom100 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."

      "The park is very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking. The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites. Will definitely be returning!"

      from $35 - $45 / night

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      3. Epsom Valley Campground

      4.5(8)2mi from EpsomRVs, Tents

      "Epsom is great spot to do some hiking - and this was a nice place to spend the night. There is a good quick fire tower route nearby if you want to get up high."

      "First of all, as we were driving we were passing all these other campgrounds that looked pretty run down and trashed. Enter Epsom Valley. What an awesome spot!!"

      from $35 - $165 / night

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      4. Lazy River Family Campground

      3.7(7)3mi from EpsomRVs, Tents

      "Having the river right there for the kids to fish and dogs to swim was great. We were all alone at the end of the field, and that was ok with us!!!"

      "The family will definitely be making a few return trips, especially with the reasonable drive from the boston area to the grounds."

      from $26 - $30 / night

      5. Circle 9 Ranch Campground

      1.7(6)2mi from EpsomRVs, Tents, Glamping

      6. Sun River Campground

      3.8(4)9mi from EpsomRVs, Tents

      "The facilities, which include bathhouses, a laundry room, and a beach situated along a tranquil river, contribute to a harmonious and enjoyable experience for all."

      "Pros=rustic tent sites available on a River, very quiet nights, secluded campsites (however the 5 sites near us were empty so that likely has a little to do with noise level & space), playground available"

      from $30 / night

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      7. Great Meadow Campground

      5.0(1)3mi from EpsomRVs, Glamping

      8. Gunstock Campground

      4.9(14)22mi from EpsomRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni."

      "Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."

      from $35 - $80 / night

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      9. Calef Lake Camping Area

      4.0(7)17mi from EpsomRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We had such a fun time and our dog loves it! The only bad part is we were very far from the bathrooms and tons of mosquitoes. We definitely will be coming back in the near future!"

      "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."

      from $20 - $40 / night

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      10. Granite State Campground

      5.0(7)19mi from EpsomRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "New bath houses, New hook-ups on many sites Close drive to Lake Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee, Close drive to Gunstock Mountain, not far from Laconia, wooded sites, The camp has some seasonal full timers"

      "This campground is one of my favorites in the lakes region. Affordable prices, large wooded sites and great staff."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Epsom, NH

    873 Reviews of 169 Epsom Campgrounds


    • Marla B.
      Jul. 15, 2022

      Chocorua KOA

      Beautiful campground in the mountains of NH

      The grounds are well maintained with flowers planted everywhere. Staff is extra friendly. Bathrooms and showers could use updating but were spotless. Very pet friendly with dog park, agility equipment, dog pond and dog wash.

    • Pawsfuradventure T.
      Jul. 22, 2018

      Wakeda Campground, LLC

      Beautiful forest

      We stayed At Wakeda Campground overnight during a trip from Maine back to Long Island, NY. It was located very close off of 95 and allows pets. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere. They offered electric, water, and sewer hook up, trading post that had camping goods and snacks, WiFi hotspot, pool table, and lounging area. They also had a game room, miniature golf, coffee shop and dog park.

      The first campsite they assigned to us was very secluded but unfortunately, we were coming in during a major rainstorm. That site was a little flooded so we chose another. It still had beautiful trees surrounding it but not as secluded from neighbors. There are also many seasonal campers there but all of their sites were beautifully decorated with flowers and such. Everyone was friendly that we encountered during our stay.

      We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them.

      Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird. It would have been great if they offered a nature trail in the campground since the forest was so beautiful. There were paths that went into the woods but they were marked for employees only.

      The next day we wanted to go for a hike before we hit the road. Unfortunately, the state parks near the campsite do not allow dogs during late Spring to early Fall. Using our Bring Fido App, we found Rails to Trails nearby that we could bring our dog and hiking cat. We did the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail that was nice and shady, though flat, but a nice leisurely walk for all of us.

    • Sue B.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 15, 2026

      Salisbury Beach State Reservation

      Love camping here!

      The first time we camped here was on Columbus Day weekend a number of years ago, and we got to see seals sun bathing on the beach. Are kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! The sites are a little close together and many of them are in direct sunlight , so that isn't the greatest , but if you have an awning, you should be good. We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too. Write down the street from camp, there is a street setup almost like a boardwalk, with arcades, live music, ice cream, food, and a carousel! There is also a bigger beach, and you are one twin away from New Hampshire. Lots to see and do here!

    • Jen
      Jul. 17, 2021

      Autumn Hills Campground

      Family campground

      Pros- very clean, bathrooms kept up with regularly. Staff is very nice. They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Store on site and they do activities during the week. Definitely more kids friendly I think. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They have community fires and dances. Pet friendly. Wood available on site.

      Cons- loud cars going all night, some lights in your face. Some people tend to fly down the road on golf carts. You can also hear the main road from the open style campsite. No privacy. People will walk threw your tent site. They will talk during the night while doing this, smoking seems to be allowed at pool. No fires between 9am-5pm.

      Overall we had a good time.

    • Paulina B.
      Jun. 21, 2024

      Thousand Trails Moody Beach

      Consider Thousand Trails Membership for Better Value

      Consider the Thousand Trails membership when booking this site. Our annual membership fees basically covered what it would cost to camp here for two weeks.

      The campground has good proximity to Orchard Beach and Portland. However, the spots are pretty tight, and the WiFi is awful away from the registration office. We were in the wooded area, but those camping on the outskirts seemed able to utilize their Starlink.

      The dog park and pool were small but nice. The bathroom facilities were pretty good, though they weren't cleaned as often as they should be.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 1, 2022

      Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort

      Lots of amenites and campsite options

      This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake! It is in a great location between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains in New Hampshire with lots to do in and outside of the campground. There are two distinct and separate sections– the Danforth Bay Camping and RV Resort and The Bluffs RV Resort. 

      They assigned us to a pull thru site (#A16) in the Danforth Bay section that would supposedly fit our 45’ motorhome. When we pulled in the place was packed. The people camped across from us had a huge group of people and a massive load of wood delivered that was in huge pile and it was obvious that fire was going to burn all day and through the weekend. The neighbors on one side of us had a table set up at the end of their site and were selling hand-made goods with their kids. We decided this was not really where we wanted to be for a peaceful fall weekend. Much less, our site was not very easy for us to get in and out of. The office agreed to move us to a site in The Bluffs section which they said were normally only for seasonal campers but they would make an exception since they were closing for the season in one week. They informed us the water would be turned off during our stay but that was fine with us since we have a large freshwater tank that we could fill up before. The site we were assigned to was all gravel with absolutely no grass which was fine with us because we were away from the ciaos of the other section. 

      The park was very clean and well-cared for with no trash laying around. Campsites were tidy and people didn’t have lots of junk laying around. There are some transient sites in the Danforth Bay section that are nice and private and some are close to the lake. The campground is huge so you can get a nice walk in without having to go round and round. There is a lake which was great for our lab to swim in and made for a pretty spot to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset. There are tons of camping options at this park and loads of amenities like a camp store, multiple pools, a boat launch, game room, multiple pavilions, free weekend entertainment, hay rides, lots of restrooms, dog parks and lots more. Since we were there in the end of the season, many amenities were closed and the activities had wrapped up for the season.

    • Julie A.
      Sep. 30, 2025

      Jellystone Park™ Lakes Region

      Downhill since new management

      Yogi’s Jellystone Park– Milton, New Hampshire: Seasonal Camper Review I have been camping at Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton for five years, including the last two as a seasonal camper. Unfortunately, my recent experiences under new management have been disappointing and frustrating. Pet Fence Policy and Safety Concerns
At the start of this season, the new general manager, Amanda, instructed me to remove my pet fence, citing liability issues. Despite my having signed a waiver absolving the park of responsibility for my dog’s actions, she insisted on its removal without providing a clear explanation. I complied reluctantly, only to observe many other campsites retaining similar pet fences throughout the season, including one seasonal camper who kept theirs up all season and transient sites with fences as well. This inconsistent enforcement of rules is unfair and undermines trust. After seeing others with pet fences, I reinstated mine to protect my dog, especially after two incidents where loose dogs entered my site and charged at my dog. Amanda then threatened me with non-renewal of my seasonal contract if I did not remove the fence again, forcing me to comply once more. I wrote to corporate regarding this issue since Amanda was of no help but never heard back from corporate. Loss of Seasonal Site and Corporate Decisions
Yogi’s removed nine seasonal sites this year, including mine, with little warning. This decision affects long-term campers, some with over 20 years of history at the park. It appears motivated by corporate interests, favoring transient sites or cabins, which generate more revenue. The loss of a seasonal site after investing time, effort, and money into making it beautiful is deeply disheartening and reflects poor management priorities. Entertainment and Atmosphere
Adult entertainment offerings have drastically declined. This year’s highlight was a 30-minute Saturday night hayride, with no live bands in the pavilion throughout the entire season. Under previous management, live music was a regular and enjoyable feature. The lack of engaging activities diminishes the overall campground experience. Myself and other campers offered suggestions to management regarding entertainment for adults but they didn't take any of our suggestions. Bear Interaction
Despite the park’s theme, sightings of Yogi Bear are rare. On one occasion, a golf cart carrying excited children stopped to see Yogi Bear, but the character ignored them and drove past without interaction, which was very disappointing. Management and Staff Attitude
Amanda, the general manager, presents as unapproachable and aloof. She did not introduce herself to seasonal campers at the beginning of the season, many of whom do not even know what she looks like and the camping season ends in just a couple of weeks. Most staff members also exhibit a snobbish attitude, often failing to acknowledge campers, which creates an unwelcoming environment. Cost and Recommendation
The campground is overpriced relative to the quality of experience and level of service provided. Given the inconsistent rule enforcement, loss of seasonal sites, diminished entertainment, and poor management attitude, I cannot recommend Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton NH Those interested in a Yogis campground should consider other locations.

    • Kristen B.
      Sep. 15, 2016

      Bear Brook State Park Campground

      Everything You Need

      Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equip with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond. The sites are fairly large and if you need some privacy, reserve site 12. There is a great trail that is around Beaver Pond, roughly 2-3 miles with plenty of opportunities for dogs to swim, yeah for dog friendly! This campground is beautiful, quiet in places and has everything you need for a great weekend away!

    • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 1, 2023

      Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

      Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

      My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

      The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.


    Guide to Epsom

    Camping in the Epsom, New Hampshire area offers access to both the Merrimack River watershed and the foothills of the Belknap Mountain Range. The region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level, creating a varied terrain of rolling hills, small lakes, and pine forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F at night to 85°F during peak daytime hours, with campgrounds often nestled among tall pine stands that provide natural shade for tent campers.

    What to do

    Kayaking and canoeing on the Suncook River: At Lazy River Family Campground, the water access provides good options for paddling. "The river was rather shallow but there is a swimming area downstream that would be deep enough for a swim," notes camper Quinn G., who stayed at the riverside sites.

    Mountain biking on established trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks suitable for biking. A camper named Eammon C. confirms: "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."

    Archery practice for all skill levels: Bear Brook State Park features two dedicated archery ranges open to campers. As Jean C. mentions, "There are two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing," making it accessible for various skill levels.

    Explore local hiking trails and fire towers: The region offers many day hikes, including some with observation points. Lyssa M. observed: "Epsom is great spot to do some hiking - and this was a nice place to spend the night. There is a good quick fire tower route nearby if you want to get up high."

    What campers like

    Privacy of wooded sites: Epsom Valley Campground offers secluded camping options. Molly G. especially appreciated "what was called the 'wilderness area'. AMAZING little tent sites! They were secluded but still had full hookups."

    Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many campers comment on the upkeep of bathrooms and shower facilities. At Epsom Valley, Becky noted: "The site was perfect and it was right next to the bathrooms which were SO clean!"

    River and water features: The Suncook River running alongside multiple campgrounds provides recreation opportunities. Kurt W., who stayed at Epsom Valley, appreciated that "Slow river runs by the property, big pine trees throughout," creating a peaceful camping atmosphere.

    Family-friendly atmospheres: Gunstock Campground receives high marks for its amenities. Sara D. observed, "Beautiful area, not a bad size campground, quiet nights... free hot showers that are not dirty, lots of trails on edge of the grounds, lots and lots of tent sites, platform on campsite, pool and playground available."

    What you should know

    Campground capacity and peak season bookings: The most desirable sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. As one visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park Campground advised, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating."

    Seasonal closures impact services: Many campgrounds reduce services during shoulder seasons. Randy R. noted at Bear Brook: "A few modifications. The bathrooms are family style. One family at a time. Check in is at the beginning of the 3-mile road to the campground and the camp store is a walk-up window only."

    Noise considerations between sites: Proximity to roads or other campers can affect the experience. Ashley I. observed at Circle 9 Ranch Campground: "Very tight sites, hardly any tree cover (at least in the RV area). Lots of permanent campers, seemed to get quite loud in the afternoons (music blaring)."

    Terrain variations between sites: Some campgrounds feature uneven ground. Sara D. mentioned about Sun River Campground: "The site we were on had plenty of elbow room and was spacious enough for our 12 person tent & bean bag toss game set up (site ground was a little uneven with minimal roots here & there)."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access near campsites: When camping with children, consider proximity to play areas. At Calef Lake Camping Area, Alyse-Beast F. found that "The playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike. This is a yearly spot I take my family, and we're never disappointed!"

    Water activities for different ages: Many campgrounds offer swimming areas designed for families. At Granite State Campground, Andrew P. reports that his "Boys rode around on bikes, facilities were clean, the owners have been working hard to improve this camp."

    Pet-friendly trails and swimming areas: For families with dogs, availability of pet recreation matters. Bear Brook State Park is noted for being "very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking. The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites," according to Gabby M.

    Weekend activities and events: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. At Lazy River, Kimberly B. shares that "I bring my kids here every year the first camping trip kids always ask can we go to Lazy River Campground!!"

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability varies significantly: Epsom Valley Campground stands out for its full-service sites. Kurt W. noted the campground has "electric and water at all the sites we saw plus for those that want it, sewer hookups."

    Access roads can be challenging: Pay attention to campground entrance details. According to Jean C. who stayed at Bear Brook, "I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner."

    Site size considerations: For larger RVs, not all sites accommodate comfortably. At Gunstock Campground, Ryan F. reported it's "Very well kept and quiet grounds. The lot I was in was not wooded but still quiet."

    Seasonal versus transient sites: Many campgrounds balance seasonal and short-term campers. Andrew P. observed at Granite State Campground: "The camp has some seasonal full timers and many transient sites," which affects availability and atmosphere for visitors.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Epsom, NH?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Epsom, NH is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 44 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Epsom, NH?

    TheDyrt.com has all 169 dog-friendly camping locations near Epsom, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.