Camping near Hudson, New Hampshire offers diverse outdoor experiences within a 30-mile radius. Several sites remain operational beyond the typical summer season, with Field and Stream RV Park in Brookline providing year-round accessibility. The region includes both riverside and lakefront camping options with varied terrain across southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.
What to do
Hiking trails and boulder exploration: Pawtuckaway State Park features numerous trails with varying difficulty levels, including routes to a fire tower with scenic vistas. As one visitor noted, "There are lots of trails to hike from right in the park; you could do a short one, or a slightly longer loop (2.5 hours depending on your pace) with some inclines and boulders to scramble up and over."
Kayaking and canoeing: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides direct water access for paddling enthusiasts. "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," according to a camper.
Historical site visits: Spacious Skies Minute Man offers convenient access to Revolutionary War historical sites. One camper shared, "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 so spend a morning in this special city."
Golf and camping combination: The Hudson area provides unique camping opportunities where outdoor recreation meets camping. Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park features a 9 or 18-hole golf course with pro shop and cart rentals adjacent to campsite areas, creating a distinctive outdoor experience.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently highlight water access as a key feature. At Pawtuckaway State Park, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" A visitor to site 110 on Big Island noted they had "wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake."
Wooded settings: Pine-covered sites offer natural shade and ground cover. Pearl Hill State Park Campground features "towering pines and oaks provide wonderful shade," though some visitors note practical considerations: "our site and many others were completely covered with sticky pine needles. They get stuck on your shoes to a depth of almost a half-inch!"
Clean facilities: Bear Brook State Park Campground receives positive feedback for maintenance. A visitor noted, "I was so impressed by how well the grounds were kept and how clean the bathrooms were. The tent sites were large which was great as we had two tents at ours."
Easy Boston access: Campers appreciate the proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. At Minute Man Campground, visitors mention, "Very easy to get into Boston by train. Level sites, quiet, and very clean restrooms make this a perfect spot for touring historic Boston, Concord, & Lexington."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October, though specific dates vary. Pearl Hill State Park operates "mid May to mid October," while Pawtuckaway runs "May 1-Oct 31."
Cell service variability: Coverage depends on carrier and specific location within campgrounds. At Lorraine Park Campground, a visitor shared: "I lost cell coverage (Verizon) as I approached the campground, so you may want to ensure you have maps downloaded for offline use if you'll be out exploring. Once I got up the hill to the campground, however, I had decent coverage."
Alcohol policies: Rules vary by campground, particularly at state parks. One camper noted about Lorraine Park: "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site."
Site privacy variation: Even within the same campground, privacy levels differ significantly. At Bear Brook State Park, "The sites were a little close and difficult to set up with more than one tent in our specific campsite," while other visitors note certain areas offer more seclusion.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: The Pine Campground provides family-friendly water features. One visitor mentioned, "We have a pool that we enjoyed on a few of the hot days" and another noted the playground was "a bit older but it was maintained well, and the kids had fun."
Multi-activity campgrounds: Some locations combine multiple family attractions. Friendly Beaver Campground features "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."
Bathroom proximity: For families with children, bathroom location matters. As one camper at Pearl Hill State Park noted, site #18 is "a short walk to the facilities, but not close enough for the foot traffic to be annoying." Consider site maps when reserving.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds can get busy during peak periods. A visitor to Pawtuckaway mentioned: "Campers aren't respectful of other campers and very noisy here," suggesting mid-week or shoulder season visits for quieter family camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for hookups: At campgrounds with varying hookup configurations, strategic site selection is important. One camper at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park noted: "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
Winter camping availability: Field and Stream RV Park offers true year-round operations. A winter camper shared: "They offer all year round camping. Great site right next to the water. Sites are clean and well equipped. Coin laundry with nice machines."
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds in the region have limitations for larger rigs. At Pearl Hill State Park Campground, "You can get in here with a smaller RV, but the campground isn't built for larger units with the turns and curves. They've only designated 3 sites for 35' rigs; everything else is 15-20'."
Extension cord needs: Some sites have utilities positioned in less convenient locations. At Minute Man Campground, one RVer mentioned "electric box a little far from parking site had to use an extension cord," suggesting packing extra-length cords when camping in this region.
