Campgrounds near Holderness, New Hampshire occupy diverse terrain ranging from lake shores to mountain foothills at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer highs typically reach 75-85°F. Most campsites require advanced planning during July and August when weekend occupancy reaches 90% at popular locations.
What to do
Tubing on local rivers: Branch Brook Campground offers excellent river access for summer tubing adventures. According to a camper, "We ended tubing down the river one day. The staff was very nice. Close to a beautiful hiking spot and some stores, restaurants and gas stations." The river wraps around the campground creating perfect conditions for water activities.
Mountain hiking access: Campton Campground provides an ideal base for hiking the nearby White Mountains. A visitor noted, "Great 'base camp' for hiking Osceola & East Osceola. Easy access from I-93. Really great for access to Tripoli road, Waterville Valley." This campground puts you within 15-20 minutes of popular trailheads.
Swimming in White Lake: White Lake State Park Campground offers a natural swimming experience in crystal clear water. One camper shared, "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." The swimming area remains shallow for quite a distance, making it safer for families with children.
Kayaking and fishing: Clearwater Campground provides excellent lake access for water activities. A reviewer mentioned, "Easy access to the lake, beautiful water, and my husband could not put a hook in without catching something." Kayak rentals are available directly at the campground for a reasonable fee.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Meredith Woods Four Season Camping maintains exceptional cleanliness even in challenging conditions. As one winter visitor observed, "Squeaky clean - and that's not always easy especially in the winter when everyone drags snow, slush and mud into the bathroom. Thank you for sticking to such high standards."
Indoor amenities for weather flexibility: Clearwater Campground offers indoor options when weather doesn't cooperate. A camper appreciated this feature: "The indoor pool on the other side of the road at the sister campground Meredith Woods was splendid. I love the idea of being able to go swimming even if the weather is a bit crummy."
Privacy between sites: Waterville Campground offers more secluded camping experiences. According to a visitor, "Big wooded sites with some privacy. 1 mile hike into Waterville Town Square. It's bear country so plan accordingly." The natural setting creates separation between campsites.
River proximity: Lost River Valley Campground features sites directly adjacent to flowing water. One camper recommended, "You cannot go wrong. Right on kangamangus highway basically in the mountains. Recommend the sites by the river!" The sound of moving water adds to the camping experience.
What you should know
Bear activity in certain areas: Waterville Campground has documented bear encounters. One camper reported a concerning experience: "The first day I got there at around 5:30 I was sitting in my hammock reading when a black bear cub strolled through my campsite. We scared the poop out of each other. Local police came and said they have been having problems with the bears."
Road noise at some campgrounds: Baker River Campground has some sites affected by traffic sounds. A visitor noted both positives and negatives: "The campground is perfect for those who prefer a traditional camping experience without additional frills... Only downsides are it's a bit off the beaten path (over an hour to Conway); there is some road noise."
Winter camping challenges: Several campgrounds remain open in winter but with varying service levels. At Branch Brook Campground, one winter camper warned: "I DO NOT recommend this campground in the winter. I feel that the owners/managers are very neglectful. They do a bad job plowing (my rig bottomed out twice on snow banks) and I fishtailed on the access road."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water issues. One visitor to Waterville Campground mentioned: "The water is very brown / rusty. We didn't feel comfortable drinking it." Bringing additional water supplies may be necessary at certain locations.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Harbor Hill Camping Area offers numerous family-friendly amenities beyond standard playground equipment. A visitor highlighted these features: "Has a pool and a couple playgrounds for the kids AND a recreation room with arcade games, pool, ping-pong and other games. Free DVD and book lending library."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: White Lake State Park Campground provides safe cycling opportunities for children. One camper advised: "You may want to bring bicycles or plan to walk a lot to get to and from the beach." Another added: "The kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground."
Seasonal activities: Branch Brook Campground schedules special events for families throughout the camping season. A reviewer mentioned, "Excellent river access, a pool, small camp store tons of activities for the kids, and many different 'types' of camping options!" Programming varies by season but typically includes weekend-focused events.
Tips from RVers
Winter RV considerations: Meredith Woods Four Season Camping accommodates year-round RV camping with specific limitations. One winter camper explained: "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."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation for RVs. At Clearwater Campground, a visitor noted: "Lot was not level. Lot was roomy." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most campgrounds in the Holderness region.
Hookup availability: Harbor Hill Camping Area offers comprehensive connections for RVs. As one camper described: "Has all the hook-ups you need with free wifi and cable TV." Most RV sites include water, electric, and sewer connections, though availability varies seasonally.
