Camping near Hooksett, New Hampshire offers access to freshwater recreation within a rural backdrop at elevations ranging from 310 to 550 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers reaching 80°F in July and August, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from May through mid-October, with Columbus Day weekend marking the end of season for many facilities.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, water recreation stands out as the primary attraction. "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," notes Matt R.
Mountain biking: For those seeking more active recreation, trails abound at Bear Brook State Park Campground. "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 staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast," shares Eammon C.
Geocaching: Several parks in the area offer geocaching opportunities. "Numerous trails call out of exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found (if you can, download the info and maps before you get to the park to be sure you have the necessary info)," recommends Jean C. about Bear Brook State Park.
Fishing: Many campgrounds provide fishing access, particularly at pond and lake sites. "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," says Ellen C. about her Pawtuckaway experience, where many visitors fish directly from waterfront sites.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Lakefront camping ranks consistently as a top preference. At Greenfield State Park Campground, "Swimming pond and beach is clean but can get crowded on a busy weekend. Frog pond is fun to explore," explains Ali B. Sites near water features often book earliest and command premium rates.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently rate bathroom cleanliness as essential. "The bathhouses are probably the best maintained of any campground I've stayed at. They're cleaned multiple time a day," notes Daniel J. about his stay at Autumn Hills Campground.
Privacy between sites: Site separation varies considerably between campgrounds. "The sites are a little close and difficult to set up with more than one tent in our specific campsite," explains Jackie G. about Bear Brook, while at other locations: "Sites are nice and level, roomy. The bathroom was clean. The walk to the beach was along a public parking lot," says Susan B. about Greenfield State Park.
Fall camping: Several reviewers mentioned visiting in September and October for reduced crowds. "I hadn't camped here in the past 8 years, so decided it was time to revisit; it helped that it was one of the campgrounds still open after Columbus Day weekend," says Jean C. about Bear Brook State Park.
What you should know
Cell service reliability: Connection varies dramatically across the region. "For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon," notes Utshob A. about Bear Brook. At other locations, service drops completely in lower-lying areas.
Site size variations: Many campgrounds feature inconsistent site dimensions. At Epsom Valley Campground, "In a last minute attempt to get some camping in we ended up at this little spot... Our campsite was nice and level, right next to a river (with free canoe use!) and even had hammock trees," reports Molly G.
Payment systems: Shower facilities often require coins. "Bathhouses offer coin-operated showers; I noticed a price difference between the two of them, so went with the less expensive option!" mentions Jean C. about Bear Brook.
Seasonal restrictions: Dog policies shift during peak season at some parks. "I went one summer on the way to Maine and loved everything! Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars! Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months," warns Erin W. about Pawtuckaway.
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Many private campgrounds feature swimming pools. Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out with "7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)," according to Kara C.
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain play areas. "We've been back her a few times because my girls love it. 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," shares Kate C. about Friendly Beaver Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities for animal encounters exist throughout the area. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," mentions Ellen C. about Pawtuckaway.
Off-peak visits: Families seeking quieter experiences should consider weekday or shoulder season trips. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet," reports Kris M.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Terrain varies considerably between campgrounds. "Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, 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," notes Ellen C. about Bear Brook.
Access routes: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. "I was in site 38 and found that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit(I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner," explains Jean C.
Site selection: Many RVers recommend requesting specific site numbers based on size needs. "We went for a weekend and they let us stay later on sunday since it rained all weekend. They have 3 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool. Lots of activities for the kids and the bathrooms were pretty clean for a campground," shares Julia B.
