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Patrick
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TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Camping near Gilmanton, NH
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Campgrounds near Gilmanton, New Hampshire range from established facilities with full amenities to more rustic options in natural settings. The area includes several family-friendly campgrounds like Gunstock Campground in nearby Gilford, which offers 250 sites with access to drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Within a 20-mile radius, campers can find accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins at places such as Granite State Campground in Belmont and Bear Brook State Park Campground in Deerfield, providing options for various camping preferences and needs.
Seasonal considerations play a significant role in camping experiences throughout the region. Most campgrounds operate from early May through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Winter camping is limited, though some year-round options exist like Paugus Bay Campground. Facilities vary widely across campgrounds, with many offering electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. The terrain ranges from lakeside settings to wooded areas, providing diverse environments for outdoor recreation. As one camper noted about a nearby state park, "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."
Water access represents a highly valued feature among campers in the Gilmanton area. Several campgrounds provide direct access to lakes and rivers, including Gunstock Campground and Silver Lakes Park Campground in Belmont. These waterfront locations offer opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating during the warmer months. Campers frequently mention the peaceful settings and natural beauty as highlights of their stays. Family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, recreational fields, and hiking trails enhance the camping experience at many locations. Reviews indicate that sites with water and electric hookups tend to fill quickly during summer weekends, especially at popular destinations like Pawtuckaway State Park, where one visitor described it as having "a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone" including "a large family beach on the lake" and "many opportunities for hiking."
Best Campgrounds near Gilmanton (276)
1. Gunstock Campground
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $80 / night
2. Granite State Campground
"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."
3. Bear Brook State Park Campground
"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."
"Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $45 / night
4. Lazy River Family Campground
"Saturday rolled around and some noisier guests came in for the night, they were several sites away and sounded like they were having a great time, didn't bother 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. Epsom Valley Campground
"I enjoyed the hiking trails in the back and a pretty good amount of things to do near by. Being able to walk to a store and restaurant is great."
"We only wanted to stay for one and when we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing!"
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $165 / night
6. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground
"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."
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $140 / night
7. Hunter’s Run RV Park
"They also have a nice game room for them kids or grown ups that struggle to leave technology behind."
Check Availabilityfrom $44 - $135 / night
8. Paugus Bay Campground
"We seriously lucked out with getting two sites next to eachother over looking the lake though. Pros: -Owners were very friendly and helpful. -Lots of lake activities to do."
"Campground is primarily seasonal sites, however the nightly rentals sites are nicely located near the water."
9. Sun River Campground
"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"
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
10. Ellacoya State Park Campground
"Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together."
"PROs: Small and typically quiet (always depends on the neighbors you get) Right on the lake with great views of the mountains Easy access to the adjoining state park beach Always a nice breeze Full hookups"
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 / night
Drive Time
- 37 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 24 min from Boston, MA
- 1 hr 48 min from Portland, ME
- 1 hr 56 min from Lewiston, ME
Recent Camping Photos near Gilmanton, NH
625 Photos of 276 Gilmanton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Gilmanton, NH
1200 Reviews of 276 Gilmanton Campgrounds
Rebecca W.
ScoutBearcamp River Campground
Bearcamp River Campground
Bear camp River campground is a great place to camp for a weekend or be a seasonal. You can walk 6/10 of a mile to the covered bridge nearby and float right down to the beach at the campground or you can start on one side of the campground and float to the other via river for a good 30 minute float!! You get to Camp right on the Riverside. Owners (Mike and Tabby ) are great. Good place for the kids to run around and explore. The Camp store has sweatshirts and sweatpants , candy and snacks ,s’mores kits, and much much more. They also sell wood and ice on site. There is also hot showers for free, and bathrooms. Two thumbs up from this happy camper.
Nancy W.
LegendSea-Vu West Premier RV Resort
Pleasantly surprised.
This campground is mostly seasonal, privately owned park models, but has 45 spaces for RV’s. I was a little skeptical about staying at this campground with so many park models and seasonals but was pleasantly surprised at how nice, clean, and tidy all the sites were. They obviously take pride in how things look because the grounds and campsites were very well-kept.
All campsites are 50/30-amp full hook-up with level gravel pads with grassy patios, a picnic table, and fire pit. We stayed in site#702 which was long enough for our 45’ motorhome and tow car. All the utilities were easy to reach and the electric worked well. The only problem was that we were parked under a large oak tree that was profusely shedding large acorns. There are some sites that are in the open which I would definitely choose, if I came back in the fall. The campground is gated which is a nice feature. It is located a mile or so off Route 1 which means you don’t get the road noise and traffic, but still conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
One nice feature are the shaded walking trails in the park. While they are not super long, it is a nice change from walking the roads (which are paved). Other amenities include a decent size swimming pool (closed while we were there), a basketball court, playground, laundry, and camp store. I thought it was a little expensive at $75/night (for full hook-up) at the end of the season, especially since the pool was closed.
- Nancy W.Legend
Sun Outdoors Wells Beach
Tight sites and expensive, busy area along the Maine coast
We stopped here in the summer to check out the coastal towns in southern Maine. There are many campgrounds in the area and we chose this one because they had a 25% off coupon (on a 7-night stay) which gave us the best nightly price in the area. However, the nightly rate was still$74/night, one reason being they charge a “resort fee” of$15/day which is ridiculous. This is a typical resort-style campground with lots of amenities (most of which we never use). But, for some people, this is a destination campground because of all the amenities- a large heated swimming pool, basketball courts, sand volleyball, bocce, fitness center, two playgrounds, 18-hole minigolf (that you pay extra for), and more.
The campsites in the front of the park are sandwiched between the swimming pool and Route 1 which is very busy and noisy. Campsites in the far back portion of the campground are shaded and a much quieter section. Camping pads and patios are a mix of gravel and sand. Many sites have shade and some have an astroturf patio (I think those are “premium” sites). Our campsite was in the middle section which was fairly quiet but the sites are close together with no privacy. The site was a long and level pull thru with a gravel pad and gravel/sand patio. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit.
There is a tent-only section and they have renal cabins. There is lots to do for families in the area including the beach and amusement and water parks. Restaurants of all sorts are nearby. You can easily walk to Congdon’s Donuts which is a Maine classic.
- Nancy W.Legend
Seacoast Camping and RV Resort
Nice Campground, Love the area!
This is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
Devon B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Play Games
The recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
- KKurt B.Scout
Hampton Beach State Park Campground
Oceanfront camping at its best—full hookups just steps from the beach. Located in popular Hampton Beach, you'll be close to nightly bandshell concerts and vibrant nightlife. There is a lottery system in place for stays during the summer.
Riley B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spend A Few Days
We came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
- RRachel J.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
A Longer Stay
We have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
Guide to Gilmanton
Camping options near Gilmanton, New Hampshire range across diverse terrain from 500 to 1,000 feet elevation, with proximity to both Lake Winnipesaukee and the Suncook River creating unique microclimates. Most campgrounds in this area sit within a 20-mile radius, creating opportunities for day trips between camping destinations. Winter camping conditions can be challenging with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for mountain biking enthusiasts. The trails accommodate various skill levels with well-marked routes. One camper noted, "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."
Tubing at Lazy River Family Campground: Located on the Suncook River, this campground provides river access for tubing with shuttle service back to your campsite. A visitor mentioned, "Let me just start by saying I come here every year and I absolutely love the friendliness of the staff, the other campers and or people who tent. I bring my kids here every year the first camping trip kids always ask can we go to Lazy River Campground!"
Explore historical sites: The region contains multiple historical attractions including the CCC museum at Bear Brook State Park. "For history, check out the antique snowmobile museum and the Civilian Conservation Corp(CCC) museum. The CCC built much of the infrastructure here and elsewhere in the country," shared one Bear Brook State Park Campground visitor.
Try disc golf and outdoor games: Several campgrounds offer recreational activities beyond hiking and swimming. One camper at Silver Lake Park Campground commented, "There is a playground, rentable kayaks and canoes, a basketball goal, frisbee golf, corn hole, horseshoes, yard darts etc."
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer sites with natural barriers for privacy. At Gunstock Campground, a camper observed, "This campground overall is very nice... I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?) and then I believe sites 203 and 205 were nice and tucked away in the trees as well."
Affordable overnight options: Camping remains a budget-friendly accommodation choice in the region. As one visitor noted about Epsom Valley Campground, "Me and my boyfriend camped here after trying to find a spot up in the white mountains without any success. The owner was amazing, friendly and super accommodating! It was just what we were looking for and will definitely return."
Off-season quietude: Several campgrounds operate into the fall with fewer crowds. A Pawtuckaway State Park visitor shared, "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."
Year-round facilities: Unlike most seasonal operations, some campgrounds remain open through winter. One winter camper at Meredith Woods commented, "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day. Utility sink for dishes available in heated bathhouse."
What you should know
Proximity to roadways: Some waterfront campgrounds experience traffic noise from nearby roads. A camper at Lazy River Family Campground observed, "Our site was right along the river. Be aware that the sites along the river, while waterfront and nice, do suffer from road noise coming from NH28. Obviously not the campgrounds fault by any means."
Varying bathroom conditions: Bathhouse quality fluctuates between campgrounds and seasons. At Epsom Valley Campground, a visitor noted, "We only wanted to stay for one and when we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing! They really do care about making sure everyone is accommodated/happy. The site was perfect and it was right next to the bathrooms which were SO clean!"
Site selection matters: Site privacy varies significantly within each campground. A visitor to Gunstock Campground advised, "Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs, but if tent camping you won't really have any privacy in those locations."
Pet restrictions: Policies regarding pets differ between locations. One camper at Pawtuckaway State Park mentioned, "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor alternatives for rainy days: Some campgrounds offer indoor recreation options when weather turns unpleasant. A visitor to Meredith Woods Four Season Camping shared, "The staff was extremely kind. The site was clean and efficient. Indoor pool was a plus in cold/rainy days."
Choose campgrounds with beach access: Waterfront options provide built-in entertainment for children. A camper reviewing Silver Lake Park Campground noted, "This is a very clean, quiet, gated campground, with easy beach access for the kids (and launching space for pontoon or bass boats)."
Check playground equipment: Not all playgrounds suit younger children. A Meredith Woods visitor cautioned, "Family with kids the only down, wish the playground was bigger, and height smaller. Not a structure for small children."
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide a transitional experience. At Granite State Campground, a visitor commented, "Really enjoyed my time here and was impressed with many of the new updates they have done here. Looking forward to staying here again."
Tips from RVers
Tight navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. A visitor to Paugus Bay Campground observed, "My biggest complaint is the narrow roads in the campground. The location is great, and the campground does seem to have quite a bit to offer."
Waterfront site reservations: Lakeside sites book quickly, especially for holiday weekends. One RVer at Paugus Bay Campground advised, "Sites are EXTREMELY tight. If you have a pull behind, you definitely need to be comfortable backing it up in tight, dicey situations. If you do not get a site near the docks to enjoy the view, I could see this camp ground not being worth it."
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections vary by site. A camper at Granite State Campground mentioned, "We pulled in and went right to the office. The man was very nice and gave us a map to our tent site. We bought some wood from the campground. The tent site has water, electric, and a fire pit."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gilmanton, NH?
What camping is available near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gilmanton, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 276 campgrounds and RV parks near Gilmanton, NH and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gilmanton, NH?
Which is the most popular campground near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gilmanton, NH is Gunstock Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gilmanton, NH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Gilmanton, NH.
What parks are near Gilmanton, NH?
What parks are near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Gilmanton, NH that allow camping, notably Hopkinton-Everett Lake and Edward MacDowell Lake.
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