Dispersed camping options near Gilmanton, New Hampshire sit at elevations between 500-900 feet in the Lakes Region, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak season. Most campgrounds open from May through mid-October, with autumn bringing vibrant foliage and cooler nighttime temperatures around 40-45°F. The region features diverse terrain from lakefront sites to wooded areas with hiking access.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing access: White Lake State Park offers direct water access with rentals available on-site. "The views from the lake are incredible. 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," reports Amanda from her visit to White Lake State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park contains extensive trail networks accessible directly from the campground. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast," notes Eammon C. from Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Tubing adventures: During warmer months, river tubing is popular at locations near Lebanon. "There's a nice river you can float down so that was nice! I would get a campsite by the river instead of where we stayed in an open field," advises Samantha who stayed at Salmon Falls.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Pawtuckaway State Park features premium sites with direct water access. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" explains J L. who stayed at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal sites, Meredith Woods offers year-round access with heated facilities. "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," shares Mara S. after her winter stay at Meredith Woods Four Season Camping.
Spacious tent sites: For those seeking traditional camping experiences, some campgrounds offer generous tent areas. "The tenting sites are pretty big and they allow up to 4 tents and 2 cars per site. Extremely quiet and the bathrooms are super clean (although somewhat small)," notes Sarah W. about Harbor Hill Camping Area.
What you should know
Bathroom and shower conditions vary: Quality and cleanliness differ widely across campgrounds. "The closest bath/shower was well kept, with four bathroom stalls and the one huge shower, I imagine that the wait times in the summer months might be a hassle but in the off season it was hardly used," explains Ellen C. about Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Site privacy considerations: Spacing between sites differs dramatically across campgrounds. "Some of the sites are a bit too close to each other but there are some that are nice and private. Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!" mentions Kimberly R. about Bear Brook.
Wildlife encounters: Campers should prepare for local wildlife, including birds. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," shared Ellen C. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Family-friendly swimming options exist at multiple locations. "We stayed on Labor Day weekend, so it was probably louder and more crowded than usual. But even still for a completely full campground it was nice!" shares Amanda about White Lake State Park Campground.
Playground and recreation options: Some campgrounds feature extensive children's facilities. "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," mentions J B. about Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA.
Bicycle-friendly campgrounds: Certain locations provide safe cycling areas for children. "You can rent canoes, hike around the lake, and the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground," reports Carolyn M. about White Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some loops accommodate RVs better than others. "Most level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees. I was in site 38 and found that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit," advises Jean C. about Bear Brook State Park.
Hookup availability: Utilities vary by campground and loop. "Sites are level and mostly grassy. Sites are more spacious than some RV campgrounds we've been at," notes Cyndi B. about Ellacoya State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts RV camping experiences throughout the year. "We stayed for a winter weekend, they have a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round. There are a ton of full time seasonal RV's as many people use this campground as a base for snow machining," explains Andrew P. about Meredith Woods.
