Campsites around Jaffrey, New Hampshire range from 585 to 3,165 feet in elevation, offering varied camping environments in the Monadnock region. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with only limited options available during winter months. Cell service averages 1-3 bars throughout the region depending on carrier and specific location within campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Jamaica State Park Campground features multiple waterfall access points via marked trails. "The trails were quite wet. R2 is nice, near a small waterfall," notes one visitor about the remote sites at Jamaica State Park Campground.
Swimming in natural areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities beyond traditional pools. "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," reports a camper at Sandy Beach Campground, suggesting visitors check water conditions before planning swimming activities.
Golfing options: Combine camping with golf at specialized RV parks with on-site courses. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes," explains a visitor to Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Winter camping: Field and Stream RV Park maintains year-round operations for cold-weather camping enthusiasts. "They offer all year round camping. Great site right next to the water. Sites are clean and well equipped," notes a winter visitor, highlighting the rare winter availability in an area dominated by seasonal operations.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Woodmore Family Campground receives high marks for site layout. "We had a wonderful time tent camping. The grounds were beautiful and the sites were a good size," states a camper at Woodmore Family Campground, indicating appropriate spacing between sites.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out as a consistent positive. "Very clean and enjoyable. We have gone here a couple times exceeding our expectations," mentions a visitor at Jamaica State Park Campground about overall campground maintenance.
Water access: Lakefront options provide recreational opportunities. "Sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site," notes a camper at Sandy Beach Campground about their water-based amenities.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds program events throughout the camping season. "Lake access, inground pool, ball field, and lots of activities for the kids makes this a great place to relax with the family," reports a visitor to Autumn Hills Campground.
What you should know
Site limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger units. "Unfortunately, we discovered why. Sites are very small, and extremely close together. My 28 foot travel trailer barely fit into the site," cautions a camper about Autumn Hills Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathhouses are probably the best maintained of any campground I've stayed at. They're cleaned multiple time a day," notes another Autumn Hills visitor, contrasting with reports at other facilities.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for premium sites. "Book your site early to get a lean-to or a site near the river," advises a visitor to Jamaica State Park Campground.
Pet policies: Restrictions vary significantly between facilities. "Pet friendly" appears in multiple reviews for Autumn Hills Campground, while Monadnock State Park prohibits pets entirely: "There are no pets allowed in Monadnock State Park."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They do have community fires and dances," notes a family camper at Autumn Hills about available activities.
Swimming options: Natural swimming spots offer alternatives to pools. "4th of July - We enjoyed our stay. The first site we got was way too small for our tent and they accommodated us and gave us a choice of two others to pick from. Playground is on the beach," mentions a family at Sandy Beach Campground.
Campsite selection: Families should consider location relative to facilities. "Situated primarily on a hillside, some of the sites are tricky to navigate with a camper, but it also minimizes the amount of neighbors you have if you are looking to have some quiet time," advises an Autumn Hills visitor.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds schedule family events. "They do plan and host activities and events for the weekends," shares a camper about Autumn Hills, making it easier to entertain children during longer stays.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning: RV campers report challenges with site orientation at some facilities. "The sites are not meant for big rigs," cautions a visitor to Monadnock State Park's Gilson Pond Campground.
Leveling requirements: Terrain irregularities may require equipment. "Sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines," notes a camper at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts, representing some of the better-prepared sites for RVs.
Utility placement: Connection locations can create logistical challenges. "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," reports a visitor to Hidden Valley RV Park.
Access road considerations: Several RV parks have challenging approach roads. "We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine," shares a visitor at Sandy Beach Campground, providing useful context about accommodating larger units.
