Cabin accommodations near Goffstown, New Hampshire provide camping access in the Merrimack Valley region at an average elevation of 400 feet, where temperatures typically range from 16°F in winter to 82°F in summer. Within 30 miles of Goffstown, campers can find options from tent platforms to full-service cabins, with peak season running from Memorial Day through mid-October when fall foliage reaches its height.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Bear Brook State Park offers extensive trail networks accessible directly from the campground area. "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 biking trails were a blast," notes one visitor to Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Kayaking on quiet ponds: Many cabin locations offer water access for paddling, with some campgrounds providing equipment. A guest at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground shared, "There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip."
Fishing from accessible docks: Multiple ponds offer fishing opportunities, often with specialized facilities. "There's another beach in the campground itself. Numerous trails call out of exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found. There are two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing," mentions a Bear Brook camper.
Wildlife viewing at campground petting areas: Some private campgrounds maintain small animal attractions. At Friendly Beaver Campground, "We enjoyed their small but nice petting zoo of a few goats and a horse. Their general store was adequate."
What campers like
Private lakefront sites: Many campers value water access directly from their site. A visitor to Pawtuckaway noted, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" Another camper added, "In 2018 we stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake."
Multiple swimming options: Campgrounds with various water features receive high marks. According to a Cold Springs Camp Resort review, "So many amenities, you just couldn't get bored if you tried to. There's a little beach area, too. The price per night is a little more than we what we usually pay but we are okay with that considering the environment."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathhouse was clean and convenient. The campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization. We stayed on site 22, which was spacious and private from the other sites on either side," shared a Bear Brook visitor.
Historical attractions: Some camping areas maintain educational exhibits. "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," notes a Bear Brook camper.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Not all cabin and tent sites offer seclusion. A camper at Keyser Pond Campground observed, "As soon as we saw our site my heart fell. We were literally surrounded on all sides with no privacy at all. The site was small and across from the basketball hoop (not great if you want to sleep in)."
Seasonal populations dominate some campgrounds: Many locations have long-term residents. "Mostly seasonal sites. Lots of golf carts and drunks (if that's your thing, cool). Facilities were nice and clean. We didn't feel like we were in nature. More like the parking lot of a Kid Rock festival," wrote a Friendly Beaver visitor.
Site dimensions can be challenging: Always verify size requirements when booking. A Cold Springs camper noted, "Nicely landscaped although the roads are very narrow. Made it hard to back in our spot." Another at Keyser Pond shared, "The tent sites are wicked small, packed together and so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet."
Weather impact on site conditions: Drainage can be an issue at some campgrounds. "In 2013, site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with an unexpected 36 hour downpour. After a few hours of constant rain I realized the water runoff from the road above and the driveway all ended up flowing right under our tent into the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple pool options: Facilities with varied swimming areas appeal to different age groups. A visitor to Spacious Skies Seven Maples mentioned, "It has a big slide and what looks like a splash pad. We enjoyed the arcade while waiting for our laundry to finish."
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "Site 93 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. 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," advises a Bear Brook camper.
Recreation halls for rainy days: Indoor options provide backup activities. "They have 3 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool. Lots of activities for the kids and the bathrooms were pretty clean for a campground," notes a Friendly Beaver visitor.
Book early for holiday weekends: Special events fill campgrounds quickly. "We went for halloween weekend in August and their haunted house was incredible for a campground!" shared a Cold Springs visitor, indicating themed weekends require advance planning.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Research specific sites before booking. A visitor to Oxbow Campground noted, "We stayed right next to a cute pond on site 69. There was a family with several smaller children who were fishing the pond. It was so cute to hear them squeal with glee when they caught a fish."
Power considerations: Electrical hookups may not meet all needs. "Had issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities. While my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue," shared a Seven Maples camper.
Navigation challenges: Interior roads may not match site maps. "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!" observed a visitor at a nearby campground.
Water access for larger units: Check if water sites accommodate RVs. "I was so impressed by how well the grounds were kept and how clean the bathrooms were. The tent sites were large which was great as we had two tents at ours," wrote an Oxbow camper, suggesting site versatility.
