Camping near Hollis, New Hampshire offers access to diverse woodland environments at elevations ranging from 300-1,000 feet above sea level. The region's average summer temperatures hover in the mid-80s during July and August, with cooler nights dropping to the 60s. Cell phone service throughout campgrounds in the area remains inconsistent, with stronger signals typically available at higher elevations or at campsites closer to main roads.
What to do
Hike to fire tower viewpoints: Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey offers one of New Hampshire's most popular summit hikes. A reviewer at Gilson Pond Area Campground notes, "The White Dot Trail starts off flat, but that's very short-lived. The trail begins to climb steeply pretty early on. The second half of the trail is very steep with lots of rock scrambles."
Explore historical sites: The campgrounds near Hollis provide access to revolutionary-era attractions. A camper at Spacious Skies Minute Man mentioned, "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord."
Water activities on multiple lakes: The region features several ponds and lakes for swimming and boating. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," reports a visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park.
Visit family farms: Several working farms with pick-your-own options operate within 20 minutes of Hollis. Many campsites serve as good base camps for exploring agricultural attractions that change seasonally from strawberry picking to apple harvests.
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: Many campgrounds offer sites directly on lakes and ponds. A Pawtuckaway State Park Campground visitor shared, "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 and are situated right across from the bath/shower."
Private, wooded sites: The forests provide natural screening between camping spots. At Greenfield State Park Campground, a camper noted, "This is a large campground with lots of woods to block you from other campers. Dog friendly 🐶"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. A guest at Pearl Hill State Park Campground commented, "There are two bathrooms centrally located - nice and clean. Trails offer some great scenic vistas. There is a beach side of the pond with picnic tables and grills."
Multiple swimming options: Campers appreciate having several bodies of water for recreation. "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," mentioned a Pawtuckaway visitor.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. A reviewer at Lorraine Park Campground shared, "I reliably had 1 bar AT&T while at the campsite, but more as I got closer to the bathhouse. The campground also wasn't too far from the grocery store and civilization."
Seasonal water conditions: Water quality at swimming areas can change throughout summer. "When we went (July) the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms, hence the 1 star deduction. We are grateful that they are honest about it, but it is disappointing to not be able to swim at the campers beach," reported a Greenfield State Park visitor.
Pay showers at state parks: Many state parks require quarters for showers. One camper at Gilson Pond noted, "There's a decent bathhouse with pay showers, a small playground, and a loop trail around Gilson Pond that leads right from the campground."
Variable site privacy: Camping areas differ in how much separation exists between sites. A visitor to The Pine Campground observed, "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night. We picked a site down the road from the playground, if you have kids you may want to be closer."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some locations offer dedicated play areas. At Friendly Beaver Campground, a visitor mentioned, "They have 3 outdoor pools (sports, toddler, regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days. They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events."
Book sites away from party areas: Some campgrounds have sections known for noise. "It's a nice clean campground but it's definitely filled with a lot of younger people partying and being loud!" noted a Greenfield State Park camper.
Consider weekday camping: Weekends see higher occupancy and noise levels. A Gilson Pond Campground visitor shared, "Stayed at this campground for a Sun./Mon. night end of September, so 'missed the weekend crowds' which was just fine."
Select campsites near bathroom facilities: With children, bathroom proximity matters. "We were pleasantly surprised to find this campground local to us. The staff is very friendly and willing to assist. Our site was across from the playground, and backed up to a stream," reported a visitor to The Pine Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check site restrictions before booking: Many campgrounds limit RV size. A visitor to Gilson Pond Campground advised, "A few words of caution - don't bring a large RV - the sites are not meant for big rigs."
Prepare for limited hookup options: Full-service sites are limited in the region. At Field and Stream RV Park, a camper noted, "They offer all year round camping. Great site right next to the water. Sites are clean and well equipped. Coin laundry with nice machines."
Consider seasonal site variations: Some RV sites have more privacy than others. "We walked the campground, I think we would have chosen the same one again! #18 is right next to a ravine, so it was wooded on one side, and the two adjacent camps were visible but not on top of us," observed a Pearl Hill visitor.
Plan for variable site leveling: Campgrounds in the Hollis region often have uneven terrain. "You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus," mentioned a Lorraine Park Campground visitor.
