Bear Brook State Park offers year-round dog-friendly camping options within a 45-minute drive from Hooksett, New Hampshire. The park's elevation ranges from approximately 350 to 900 feet above sea level, with most campsites sitting around 500 feet. Winter camping is permitted in select areas when roads aren't snow-covered, though facilities are limited from November through April.
What to do
Lake activities at Pawtuckaway State Park: Multiple lakes and ponds provide water recreation options. "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. Sites on the water "book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating," according to J L.
Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park: Extensive trail system with varied difficulty levels. "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," writes Eammon C.
Hiking at Greenfield State Park: Multiple trails around the pond and through wooded areas. "Frog pond is fun to explore," says Ali B. The park serves as a good base camp for nearby peaks: "Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike," according to Emma N.
What campers like
Private campsites at Epsom Valley Campground: Sites spaced for privacy along the river. "My FAVORITE part was what was called the 'wilderness area'. AMAZING little tent sites! They were secluded but still had full hookups," writes Molly G. Another camper notes the "nice quiet place to relax" atmosphere.
Multiple swimming options: Several campgrounds feature both natural swimming areas and pools. At Autumn Hills Campground, "They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times," says Jen.
Clean facilities: Modern, well-maintained bathrooms and showers at many campgrounds. Cold Springs Camp Resort receives consistent praise: "Very clean and well maintained grounds and buildings," writes Shawn D. Another camper highlights "clean, flat sites, easy to navigate" and "facilities are spotless."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Coverage differs by provider and location. "For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon," reports Utshob A. about Bear Brook State Park.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. "Went here to stay when attending a Tool concert in Manchester one summer. The facilities were close enough to the sites, but far enough away to not have the light shining into your tents," notes Jackie G.
Site sizes vary significantly: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Lazy River Family Campground, "Some of the sites are a bit too close to each other but there are some that are nice and private," according to Kimberly R. The campground has "mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Choose parks with programming for children. Friendly Beaver Campground offers "crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events," according to Kate C. The campground also features "3 outdoor pools (sports, toddler, regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days."
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas. At Calef Lake Camping Area, "the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike," writes Alyse-Beast F., adding that the location is "perfect for a quick escape from southern NH without going too far north."
Weekend activity planning: Campgrounds often have organized events Friday through Sunday. Cold Springs Camp Resort "is definitely a top ten campground" with "great activities," notes Shawn D., while others mention the consistent programming throughout summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. Jean C. notes about Bear Brook: "I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner" while accessing certain sites.
Hookup locations: Position can require extra equipment at some sites. At Friendly Beaver, "our 28 foot travel trailer barely fit into the site," reports Taylor H. Another camper at a different park mentions needing "a very long sewer hose" for certain sites.
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Hooksett: Many allow pets but have specific rules. Paula W. chose Bear Brook State Park "because I travel with dogs" and found it "quiet and accommodating." Another reviewer mentioned Greenfield State Park being "dog friendly" with wooded sites providing shade during summer months.
Guide
