The Francestown area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in south-central New Hampshire, featuring a mix of pine forests, rolling hills, and scattered ponds and waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day with cooler nights in the 50s. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage with temperatures dropping to 40-65°F, making glamping options with heating particularly valuable in the shoulder seasons.
What to do
Paddling activities: The Ashuelot River Campground provides excellent water access with flat-water kayaking and tubing opportunities. "Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground," noted a visitor who enjoyed exploring the river. Sites along the riverbank offer direct water access for easy launching.
Trail exploration: Bear Brook State Park offers extensive hiking within its 10,000-acre forest preserve. A camper mentioned, "There are at least three campground areas, one of which is on an island and has tent sites along the water." The park contains a variety of trail difficulties suitable for all skill levels with routes to a fire tower and several ponds.
Fishing opportunities: Keyser Pond Campground provides access to fishing, though one reviewer noted the water was "questionable" for swimming. Many campgrounds in the region maintain stocked fishing ponds for catch-and-release activities that don't require a state fishing license.
Winter activities: Several campgrounds near Francestown operate year-round. The Pine Campground stays open through winter, making it a suitable base for accessing regional snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails during the colder months.
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out with its exceptional aquatic facilities. "Great campground. The pools are amazing. Kid pools. Adult pools! Adult hot tub," shared one visitor. Another camper noted the impressive variety: "7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)."
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness is frequently praised at several campgrounds. At Autumn Hills Campground, a guest remarked, "The bath house is super clean. It's really family friendly place to camp during the weekends." Similar sentiments were expressed about Bear Brook State Park: "The bathhouses were clean, well maintained and a short walk from 22."
Organized activities: Weekend programs keep families engaged at many locations. Friendly Beaver Campground offers structured entertainment for children. "They have crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events," noted one camper. Halloween-themed weekends prove particularly popular, with one guest mentioning, "Their haunted house was incredible for a campground!"
Pond access: Waterfront sites allow for pleasant mornings by the water. At Pawtuckaway State Park, sites on the water "book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" Many campgrounds feature fishing ponds stocked with bass and sunfish for recreational angling.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. A visitor to Oxbow Campground noted their "sites that are spacious," while a Keyser Pond Campground camper found "the tent sites are wicked small, packed together and so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet."
Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites at Pawtuckaway State Park fill months in advance, particularly for summer weekends. One camper advised, "If possible, reserve those to ensure the best spots (the sunrise!)."
Seasonal differences: Most glamping accommodations near Francestown operate from May through October. Bear Brook State Park offers a slightly extended season "from early May-late Oct," providing opportunity for leaf-peeping during the fall color season.
Site selection: Research specific site numbers before booking. As one Bear Brook visitor noted, "Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for children: Multiple swimming options keep kids entertained. At Sandy Beach Campground, visitors appreciate that "the sandy beach is nice" though "the swimming area is quite weedy." Some families prefer campgrounds with chlorinated pools for more predictable water quality.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. One camper at Friendly Beaver Campground recommended: "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Evening activities: Scheduled programming helps entertain children after dinner. A visitor to Autumn Hills observed, "They do community fires and dances." Many campgrounds offer movie nights, group s'mores, and organized games on weekend evenings.
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature small petting areas. A camper noted that Friendly Beaver has "a few animals the kids can feed," providing additional entertainment for young children between other activities.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Ashuelot River Campground provides important routing information. One RVer cautioned, "Highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross- we discovered this the hard way." Local covered bridges often have height and weight restrictions that can impact larger rigs.
Hookup locations: Site utility placement varies between campgrounds. At Autumn Hills, a visitor noted, "We stayed at site 14 needed a very long sewer hose." Experienced RVers recommend carrying extension cords and extra-length sewer hoses when glamping in Francestown area campgrounds.
Road conditions: Internal campground roads present navigation challenges at some locations. A Cold Springs camper mentioned, "Nicely landscaped although the roads are very narrow. Made it hard to back in our spot." Fifth-wheel owners should particularly research site accessibility before booking.
Winter availability: Year-round camping options exist but with limited amenities. The Pine Campground remains open all year for those with properly winterized RVs seeking off-season glamping near Francestown, though seasonal water shutoffs may require self-contained operation.
