Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire sits within the Monadnock Region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, offering camping options with varied terrain from marshy ponds to forested hills. Weather conditions can shift rapidly in this area, with cooler nights even during summer months when temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: At Jamaica State Park Campground, trails lead to impressive cascades including Hamilton Falls. As one visitor noted, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls."
Pond paddling: Chapman Acres provides complimentary water equipment for guests. A reviewer mentioned, "The other site is a charming Bell Tent... A hidden path nearby brings you to a canopy covered swing that overlooks the pond. Another path leads you to the canoe access."
Golf and camping combined: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers a unique recreation opportunity with its 9-hole golf course. A camper shared that it's a "Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents. Plenty of tent sites. On site general store with grill. Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground earns praise for its spacious campsites. One camper reported, "The sites on the North side are spacious & quiet. The other side of the campground (east) has a lot of noise pollution from the nearby road which is used by logging trucks."
Year-round availability: Unlike most seasonal campgrounds, Field and Stream RV Park operates throughout winter. A winter camper noted, "They offer all year round camping. Great site right next to the water. Sites are clean and well equipped. Coin laundry with nice machine."
Natural swimming areas: Many campers appreciate the water access at local campgrounds. One visitor to Lake Dennison mentioned, "We've been coming here for 3 years and we always have a blast. It is so convenient to camp right on the lake. We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds near Fitzwilliam. At Jamaica State Park Campground, a camper highlighted this as a positive feature: "small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. Thousand Trails Sturbridge runs "April 10 to October 25," while Lake Dennison has an even shorter season from "late May to early September."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies between parks. A Lake Dennison visitor reported, "The bathrooms also were In poor shape and not well cleaned. Over the course of our 3 night stay, they just got worse with overflowing toilets and trash."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming beaches: Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park offers kid-friendly water recreation. A family reported, "We tent camped here with 2 other families in the summer of 2019. Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to Jamaica State Park noted, "There is a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games."
Affordable state park options: State parks typically offer lower rates than private campgrounds. Gilson Pond at Monadnock State Park charges "$25 per night campsite fee" which "includes a parking place to hike Monadnock."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RV sites near Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire can require significant leveling equipment. At Gilson Pond Area Campground, an RVer advised, "If you have an RV take the time to rent an RV site otherwise backing in will put you in an awkward position as the mixed use 'standard' sites are oriented towards tent camping and have narrow driveways."
Electrical reliability concerns: Some rv sites near Fitzwilliam have infrastructure issues. A camper at Camp Coldbrook warned, "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical."
Sandy Beach site selection: When looking for motor home camping near Fitzwilliam, consider site layout. A reviewer at Sandy Beach Campground advised, "Small but well organized campground. TT members will find all th e comforts of home. Staff is pleasant and helpful. Quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing."
