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The Monadnock region surrounding Harrisville, New Hampshire contains several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Monadnock State Park's Gilson Pond Area Campground and Greenfield State Park. These parks provide a mix of tent and RV camping options with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with Ashuelot River Campground in nearby Swanzey offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping areas. Several facilities feature waterfront access, with Pillsbury State Park Campground providing boat-in sites where two rivers intersect.
Camping permits and reservations are typically required throughout the region, with most state park campgrounds filling quickly during summer weekends. The terrain varies from relatively flat, accessible sites at Greenfield State Park to more rugged options near Mount Monadnock. Cell service is spotty throughout much of the area, particularly at more remote campgrounds like Pillsbury State Park. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, though hookup availability varies significantly between locations. A review noted that "the sites are super private, the rangers are friendly, and the mosquitoes are ferocious, but I can't give a campground a bad review because of the mosquitoes. Just a warning to be prepared."
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available at campgrounds near Harrisville. Many sites feature access to hiking trails, with Mount Monadnock providing challenging day hikes directly from Gilson Pond Campground. Water activities are particularly popular, with several campgrounds offering swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Spacious Skies Seven Maples in Hancock provides family-friendly amenities including a playground and pool, while more primitive camping experiences can be found at state parks. Visitors appreciate the generally quiet atmosphere and well-maintained facilities. According to one camper, "This was my first time to New Hampshire so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the state parks there. I was not disappointed... The site was big with 2 platforms, a nice picnic table and a fire pit with a grill."
"Gilson Pond Campground is small— just 37 sites nestled into the woods near a swampy, but beautiful pond in Jaffrey, New Hampshire."
"This was my first time to New Hampshire so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the state parks there. I was not disappointed."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud."
"Nice views of the lake, swimming, wide open sites, not too over crowded! I'd definitely go back!"
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability"We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river. Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful."
"Large, open campground surrounded by the Ashuelot River. Friendly owners who go around delivering wood and ice to guests given the pandemic right now."
from $47 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The shower worked well and it was nice not to have to walk to the restrooms, though they were close by. Our stay was during the week so it wasn’t very crowded."
"We loved being next to the large field and basketball court where we watched the kids play without having to worry where they disappeared to."
from $54 - $999 / night
Check Availability"the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake"
"Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart."
from $42 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."
"As a caveat, waterfront in this instance was more of a water view as the lake was on the other side of the campground road and a large open area with trees."
from $17 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. "
"Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."
from $29 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We stayed with our parents in their camper for a couple nights and had such a positive experience there!"
"We stayed right next to a cute pond on site 69. There was a family with several smaller children who were fishing g the pond. It was so cute to hear them squeal with glee when they caught a fish."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The views outside our camper window is amazing. We’re surrounding be trees and it’s breathtaking when surrounded by freshly fallen snow."
"I prefer trees, but this wont keep us away from trying out RV sites this year."
from $60 - $130 / night
Check Availability"The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking. The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground. "
"Right on a stream and a short walk to the bathrooms and hiking trails. We drove a few minutes up the road to Lake Dennison to kayak and fish."
from $17 - $55 / night
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ScoutWe travel in a larger RV and always check campground access before deciding where to stay. We were able to get situated without turning arrival day into an ordeal, which anyone with a big rig knows is a win.
GuideFree dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private. The upper part there has a circular open area, surrounded by thin trees. There’s a fire ring set up midway on the site. It felt more isolated than other sites I’ve stayed at and there were quite a few animal sounds in the woods, including large animal bones left past the treeline. They seem to be left behind from people (based off of how the bones were cut). Dispersed camping so don’t expect facilities of any sort. Decent site and pretty large compared to some of the other spots. Heard Barred Owls in the distance which was awesome. Uploaded a video of the site at night and pics of the area on a map that my friend was able to pull up.
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
ScoutReally nice little campground. We loved how peaceful it was, especially in the mornings when the lake was quiet. We made coffee, sat outside by the camper, and watched the water before starting our day. The campground was clean and our hookups worked perfectly. Nothing complicated or overdone, just a comfortable place to camp and enjoy being outside. We would definitely return.
ScoutWe spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
ScoutWe wanted somewhere outside the city where we could stay with our RV but still be close enough to drive into Boston for the day. Berry’s Grove worked really well for that. After spending the day sightseeing, it was nice coming back somewhere quiet and relaxing by the lake.
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWe wanted to spend a day in Boston but had zero interest in bringing the RV into the city. Berry’s Grove gave us a completely different experience. We could do the sightseeing and crowds during the day and come back somewhere much calmer at night.
Campgrounds near Harrisville, New Hampshire range in elevation from approximately 950 feet to 1,500 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with camping primarily from May through October when average daytime temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F. Night temperatures can drop significantly, often dipping into the 40s even during summer months, requiring campers to pack additional layers regardless of the season.
Kayaking and canoeing: Pillsbury State Park Campground offers excellent flat-water paddling opportunities with rental equipment available onsite. One visitor noted that "Kayaking on May Pond and discovering little islands and coves was a highlight" while another mentioned they "saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground" at Ashuelot River Campground.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds provide direct trail access for various skill levels. "Monadnock State Park is a beautiful hiking adventure for families, beginners, and anyone looking for a fun weekend trip with amazing views," reports one camper at Gilson Pond Area Campground. For more extensive trails, Pillsbury State Park connects to the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 48-mile trail linking two prominent mountains.
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse habitats support abundant wildlife. "We had a better view of the campsite across the road than the ones next door," noted a camper, highlighting the wooded, spaced-out sites that attract local wildlife at Greenfield State Park. Another visitor mentioned they "went camping with a group of 5 people spread out onto two sites" where they could enjoy viewing nature from relatively private campsites.
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded camping spots with natural buffers. "The sites are large and wooded; I had a better view of the campsite across the road than the ones next door," reported a visitor at Greenfield State Park Campground. Another camper appreciated that "the campsites are accessible by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and shower buildings receive positive mentions. "The bathrooms are immaculate. The showers take coins but the facilities are some of the best I've seen while camping on State Park grounds," wrote a visitor to Gilson Pond Campground. Similarly, at Friendly Beaver Campground, a camper highlighted "separate and clean bathrooms with showers."
Waterfront access: Several campgrounds feature lakeside sites with easy water access. "The sites on the water are really nice," notes a camper at Pillsbury State Park. At Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground, a visitor shared that "it is so convenient to camp right on the lake. We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by carrier and location. One visitor at Pillsbury State Park reported that "cell reception for Verizon isn't great" while another noted "campsites have cell service," suggesting spotty coverage depending on exact location. At Otter River State Forest, a camper confirmed "Verizon cell service was pretty good."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking, especially during peak season. "We arrived after dark and our friends were able to pick up a parking pass for us ahead of time," notes a camper at Greenfield State Park, highlighting the importance of planning ahead. Weekends from June through August typically fill several weeks in advance.
Weather preparedness: The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations and occasional heavy rainfall. "When we went (July) the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms," reported one camper, showing how conditions can change unexpectedly. Another visitor mentioned they "happened to go on a very rainy weekend, and everything became mud at the site so we left early."
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated amenities for children. "They have a great wiffleball park" and "they have 3 outdoor pools (sports, toddler, regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days" reported campers at Friendly Beaver Campground. Other family attractions include "a very nice playground" and "a wide open day use area for picnicking."
Safety considerations: Parents appreciate campgrounds with controlled environments. "The camp sites are flat, spacious, wooded, and come equipped with large fire rings/grills," noted a visitor to Gilson Pond Campground. At Lake Dennison, a camper shared that "kids can ride their bikes" safely throughout the campground.
Educational opportunities: Some sites offer nature-learning experiences. "They have a few animals the kids can feed" at Friendly Beaver Campground, while at Ashuelot River Campground, families can explore the "Ashuelot Rail Trail at the campground" for nature walks and wildlife observation. A parent highlighted that their campsite at Greenfield had a "frog pond is fun to explore."
Site selection: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "Sites in the Grove and Hemlock Heights are particularly nice areas with more spacious, wooded and quiet sites. The Safari Field and more central full hook-up sites were pretty crammed," advised an RVer at Spacious Skies Seven Maples. At Ashuelot River Campground, a visitor noted "sites big enough for our 42' 5th wheel and 2 cars."
Hookup availability: Options vary significantly between campgrounds. "Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups," explains an RVer about Ashuelot River Campground. Another camper cautions, "don't bring a large RV- the sites are not meant for big rigs" at some state parks.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have access limitations. "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru. Some of the turns aren't so friendly either," warns an RVer about Ashuelot River Campground. Visitors should always check campground websites for recommended approach routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best remote camping spots near Harrisville?
For true remote camping near Harrisville, Pillsbury State Park Campground offers several designated remote sites that require paddling across the lake to access. These waterfront sites provide excellent seclusion and privacy. Another excellent option is Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston, MA, which features prime campsites with direct water access. Both locations offer a genuine remote camping experience while still providing basic amenities nearby if needed. These sites typically fill quickly during peak season, so advance reservations are highly recommended.
Is Harrisville suitable for primitive camping year-round?
The Harrisville area offers primitive camping options with seasonal limitations. Gilson Pond Area Campground in nearby Monadnock State Park provides primitive camping but typically closes during winter months. For year-round primitive options, Pawtuckaway State Park Campground may offer limited winter camping. Most primitive sites in the region are subject to seasonal closures due to New Hampshire's harsh winters, with many facilities closing between October/November and reopening in April/May. Winter primitive camping typically requires additional permits and preparation for extreme weather conditions. Check with park authorities about current year-round availability before planning an off-season primitive camping trip.
What camping is available near Harrisville, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Harrisville, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 158 campgrounds and RV parks near Harrisville, NH and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Harrisville, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrisville, NH is Gilson Pond Area Campground — Monadnock State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrisville, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Harrisville, NH.
What parks are near Harrisville, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Harrisville, NH that allow camping, notably Edward MacDowell Lake and Tully Lake.
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