Camping near Keene, New Hampshire puts visitors in the heart of the southwestern region of the state, where the Ashuelot and Connecticut Rivers meet amid rolling forested terrain. The area sits at elevations between 480-600 feet and experiences distinctive four-season weather patterns, with campgrounds typically operating May through October when temperatures average 60-75°F during summer days. Winter campers should note that most campgrounds in the region close after Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend.
What to do
Hike Mount Monadnock: Located about 25 minutes from Keene at Gilson Pond Area Campground — Monadnock State Park, this popular summit offers panoramic views of the region. "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," notes Tara S., who recommends starting early to avoid crowds.
Fish local ponds: Set up at Spacious Skies Seven Maples where fishing options abound. "Great family oriented campground with fishing pond and great fishing spots nearby," reports Lindsey L. The campground maintains a stocked fishing pond right on the property for easy access.
Kayak multiple waterways: The region features numerous paddling opportunities across connected ponds. "Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. Most of the campsites are accessible by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake," explains Dog S. about Pillsbury State Park Campground, adding that "canoe and kayak rentals are available" for those without their own equipment.
What campers like
Clean, spacious shower facilities: After a day outdoors, well-maintained bathrooms make a difference. At Fort Dummer State Park Campground, "bathrooms are a tad small and one shower per gendered room. Shower takes coins. Not free. All in all, we really enjoyed it," notes Danielle G. Similarly, at Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres), campers appreciate that "they also have the cleanest and nicest shower you will find in a campground."
Secluded woodland sites: Privacy between campsites ranks high among visitor preferences. "Sites are large and well maintained. Plenty of space between sites," writes Jessica S. about Fort Dummer State Park. At Gilson Pond campground, Jess G. observes "the campsites are accessible by car but nice and secluded."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds with activities for children receive high marks. "The pool is amazing for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area," writes Erin M. about Spacious Skies Seven Maples, while Chris H. adds they offer "an amazing ice cream stand" and "lots of great kids events around the holidays, basketball court, swimming, etc."
What you should know
Seasonal water conditions: Water recreation options can vary by season and conditions. At Greenfield State Park, a camper noted "when we went (July 2025) the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms... it is disappointing to not be able to swim at the campers beach."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "Be prepared to not have much cell phone service either if you need things while you're camping. If you have Verizon and you're at campsite 34 you can get a little service," advises Lisa P. about Pillsbury State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The region supports diverse wildlife including bears. At Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres), one camper reported "when I went to hook up the water, a pile of fresh bear scat was right there! They did say there was wildlife in the area!"
Noise considerations: Location impacts ambient noise levels. "The downfall is since it's so close to the highway, you can hear traffic all night," reports Lilia W. about Fort Dummer State Park. At Kampfires, Michael K. advises: "Main detractor is the neighbor blares really terrible music at obnoxious volume for about 16 hours a day. Get a site as far in the back as possible to get away from the noise."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Keene offer dedicated play spaces. "The playground is really big with plenty to do," reports Erin M. about Spacious Skies Seven Maples, while at Jamaica State Park Campground, Fransheska A. mentions "fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls."
Water recreation options: Swimming areas provide welcome relief during summer months. "Swimming is available at sunapee unless you like leaches," warns one Jamaica State Park visitor, highlighting the importance of choosing swimming spots carefully with children.
Educational opportunities: Nature exploration enhances family camping experiences. At Jamaica State Park, Chris D. recommends hiking "the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls," but cautions that "people have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children around the falls."
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: RVers should note size restrictions at many campgrounds. "Don't bring a large RV- the sites are not meant for big rigs," warns Tara S. about Gilson Pond campground. For larger rigs, Kampfires offers "sites located in the Grove and Hemlock Heights are particularly nice areas with more spacious, wooded and quiet sites."
Electrical challenges: Power availability varies widely between campgrounds and sites. At Spacious Skies Seven Maples, one RVer reported "issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my camper's amenities while my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue."
Covered bridge restrictions: Some bridges in the area have height and weight limitations. At Ashuelot River Campground, John L. advises "follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low clearance and low weight limits."
