Camping sites near Hanover, New Hampshire range from primitive backcountry shelters to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits at the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, with the Connecticut River flowing between the two states at approximately 400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, while spring and fall camping can see overnight temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to views: Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter provides access to the Appalachian Trail with a bench overlooking a clearing. A camper noted, "The shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner." This backcountry shelter requires proper planning as there's no guaranteed water source.
Visiting Quechee Gorge: Quechee State Park Campground offers a direct trail to Vermont's deepest gorge. A camper explained, "There is a 'campers only' access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail." The campground is conveniently located within walking distance of local attractions.
Swimming options: Local campgrounds offer various water features for cooling off. At Jacobs Brook Campground, "There's a book that runs through the campground, providing a shady respite and swimming hole in a hot summer day." Many campers appreciate these natural water features during hot summer months.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms at certain locations. At Quechee State Park, a reviewer stated, "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping." Another camper at Rest N Nest Campground shared, "The bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home."
Spacious sites: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA reported, "The park is a large park that is terraced since it is in a pretty hilly area. There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size."
Helpful staff: Many reviewers mention positive interactions with campground staff. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "From the second we pulled into this campground we were greeted with 5 star service and friendly staff. A woman met us at my truck and checked us in and we were then guided to our site by a gentleman in a light utility vehicle who then marshaled us into our spot."
What you should know
Water availability: Backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail near Hanover have unreliable water sources. At Velvet Rocks Shelter, a hiker reported, "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)." Always carry sufficient water when hiking to these remote sites.
Road noise: Some campgrounds in the area experience traffic noise. A reviewer at Quechee State Park noted, "Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant." Consider requesting sites farther from main roads if noise is a concern.
Seasonal operation: Most camping options near Hanover have limited operating seasons. Jacobs Brook Campground operates from "May 28 to October 14," while the KOA is open from late May to mid-October. Winter camping options are extremely limited in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Planned activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter, the shelter design offers flexibility for families: "The shelter had a ground floor and a loft but each floor could maybe fit 4-5 people comfortably... The loft was nice since folks could decide to sleep up there while others were down below, either cooking, arriving, or departing."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds feature recreational facilities. One family at Quechee State Park mentioned, "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)"
Swimming options: Pools and natural swimming areas provide cooling options during summer months. A camper at Jacobs Brook Campground noted, "In the middle of the campground near the entrance there's a swimming pool, playground, horseshoes, and basketball."
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: RV sites vary significantly between campgrounds. At Storrs Pond Recreation Area, one camper advised, "Only complaint is the site is set up 'backwards' - the electric hookups are on door side of rv and the picnic table/main area of site is on non door side."
Hookup options: Electric service ranges from none to full hookups. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost. We paid $57/night for our full hookup site which is pretty costly especially since we did not use any of the amenities."
Navigating terrain: The hilly landscape can present challenges for larger RVs. A camper at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA observed, "Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45' RV to our site." Check with campground offices about site accessibility for your specific RV size.
