Camping opportunities around Farmington, New Hampshire include several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the Lakes Region with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day with cooler 50-60°F nights, making it comfortable for outdoor activities even during peak season.
What to do
Hiking at Bear Brook State Park: The 10,000-acre forest preserve offers extensive trail systems suitable for day hiking or mountain biking. Sites are located under towering pines with varying privacy levels. "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails! Will def be coming back," notes Kimberly R. about Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Kayaking and fishing: Pawtuckaway State Park provides water access with boat rentals available. "This a a fantastic little camp for 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," explains Matt R. from Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Water activities and recreation: For families wanting more structured water recreation, Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers water slides, pools and organized activities. "This campground is pretty big, sprawled out with lots to do, like tubing, cornhole, arcade, pools with slide and more. Customers service was great both at check in as well as later when getting wood delivered," says Ben M.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers specifically request lakeside camping options. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" reports J L. about Pawtuckaway State Park. Sites along water tend to reserve earliest in the season.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting creates opportunities to observe local wildlife, particularly waterfowl. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," shares Ellen C. about her experience at Pawtuckaway State Park.
Campground amenities: Beaver Dam Campground maintains clean, modern facilities within an easy drive of Farmington. "Bathrooms are modern and spotless. Owners on site are wonderful. The pond is tranquil and our site was right on the pond," notes Pat about this campground located approximately 20 miles from Farmington.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the region feature sites in close proximity. "This campground is beautiful and in a nice location in the state park but is really crowded in the summer months with large groups of loud children," warns Madison G. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Weather considerations: Early and late season camping may experience temperature fluctuations. "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," shares Kris M.
Reservation timing: For prime summer weekends, booking well in advance is necessary. At White Lake State Park Campground, "Labor Day weekend, there were still vacancies, but during my Labor Day visit last year sites were full very early Friday morning," reports Jean C.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: White Lake State Park offers a sandy beach area with gradual entry. "The beach area is very nice and has lots of tables and grills. We were able to hear the loons calling on the lake at night too," shares Amanda about the family-friendly swimming area.
Campground activities: Some campgrounds provide organized recreation. "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," explains J B. about Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA.
Glamping near Farmington, New Hampshire: For those seeking camping comforts without the setup, Tail-Tuckaway offers ready-to-use glamping accommodations. "I will definitely return! It was absolutely wonderful," states Amanda W. about this glamping option with toilets, showers and picnic tables provided.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads or limited space. "The driveway is hard to see and difficult to get in and out of. Owners were responsive," mentions Constance S. about Beaver Dam Campground.
Hookup availability: Bear Brook State Park does not offer electric or water hookups, requiring self-contained RVs. "There are no hookups, but there is running water and a dump station is available," notes Jean C. about the facilities.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV sites in the region operate between May and October. "We stayed three months here last summer. The beach and pool are small and quiet. Baths are new and clean. Only one washer/dryer," shares Constance S. about seasonal facilities at campgrounds near Farmington.
