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Pillsbury State Park Campground permits pets throughout its primitive lakeside campsites. This dog-friendly state park offers spacious sites with room for multiple tents, perfect for camping with furry companions. Sites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to May Pond for swimming and kayaking. The campground maintains pit toilets but has no shower facilities or electric hookups. Northstar Campground and Crow's Nest both welcome pets at their sites along the Sugar River, with Northstar providing electric and water hookups while Crow's Nest offers additional cabin options that accept dogs. Tippicanoe Campground maintains clean facilities with full hookups suitable for both tent and RV campers traveling with pets. The quiet, wooded settings at most campgrounds provide natural spaces for walking dogs, though all require pets to remain leashed when outside camping units. Many campsites are situated close together with limited privacy between neighbors.
Dog-friendly hiking trails connect directly from Pillsbury State Park to the 51-mile Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, allowing extended walks with leashed pets. The Sugar River Rail Trail near Crow's Nest Campground provides a flat, easy path for dog walking. Water access varies between campgrounds, with Pillsbury offering excellent canoe and kayak opportunities on its multiple ponds, though swimming areas may contain leeches according to visitor reports. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to prevent excessive barking disturbing neighboring campers. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, delivered directly to campsites at Crow's Nest. Newport provides the closest veterinary services and pet supplies for campers staying at nearby campgrounds. Weather in the region varies significantly by season, with primitive campgrounds like Pillsbury typically operating from May through October before winter closures.
"Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. "
"Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."
from $29 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full."
"This is a small park, but it's a good spot to stay to explore the area (nearby Mt. Ascutney State Park, Harpoon Brewery, the American Precision Museum, etc.)."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams."
"We are a family of five with a pop up pull behind and the Glamping lifestyle is a little bit easier on us these days ."
from $26 - $36 / night
Check Availability"We had a spacious site w/water and electric next to the Sugar River. We enjoyed our time here and will definitely go back."
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $32 - $115 / night
Check Availability"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Whether it’s a hike or a drive, I highly recommend it! Just note, the road closes after dusk and a barrier goes down."
"Close to the Sugar River Rail trail for biking. Definitely not a wilderness experience, but pleasant."
from $32 - $115 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud."
"Dog friendly 🐶"
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability"Great for pets. They have pet poo drop boxes and bags. Super clean bathrooms. The sites are not very private, but spacing is decent."
"Sites along the river, pull thrus in the field, shaded along the edge of the field, completely wooded area towards the end of the campground. Playground, volleyball, horseshoes, game room."
from $47 - $70 / night
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GuideAdorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.
RangerThis place is pretty awesome. They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer. RV Spots, tent camping spots, a dog park, badminton, basketball, horseshoe, shuffleboard, the works. The bathrooms are beautifully redone and clean. The laundry room is pretty good too. Its close to Brattleboro and Putney and just across the border to New Hampshire. I'd most definitely stay again when I'm in the area. The other guest were very nice and we could also have packages delivered.
ScoutPros- very clean, bathrooms kept up with regularly. Staff is very nice. They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Store on site and they do activities during the week. Definitely more kids friendly I think. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They have community fires and dances. Pet friendly. Wood available on site.
Cons- loud cars going all night, some lights in your face. Some people tend to fly down the road on golf carts. You can also hear the main road from the open style campsite. No privacy. People will walk threw your tent site. They will talk during the night while doing this, smoking seems to be allowed at pool. No fires between 9am-5pm.
Overall we had a good time.
GuideTucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equip with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond. The sites are fairly large and if you need some privacy, reserve site 12. There is a great trail that is around Beaver Pond, roughly 2-3 miles with plenty of opportunities for dogs to swim, yeah for dog friendly! This campground is beautiful, quiet in places and has everything you need for a great weekend away!
TravelerLarge campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni.
TravelerPillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups.
Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake.
There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat.
There is at least one handicap accessible site, which I have used, near the toilet facilities. It provides a good sized very level area to set up a tent and park your car. There may be other handicap sites. I have only used this one and never checked for others.
Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning.
This web page says this about Pillsbury.
Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north.
Pillsbury State Park
100 Pillsbury State Park Rd
Washington, Nh 03280
Phone: 603-863-2860
ScoutTully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!
This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.
The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.
The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!
GuideFairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire. We arrived without a reservation a bit after the office closed, but Elena, the manager came out to let us in and allowed us to check in. She was great. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccine. Very nice showers. Beautiful fall colors.
TravelerWe stayed in a cabin with our pup. This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc. This was glamping with a fire pit 😃 There were plenty of sites for all size RV’s with hook-ups. A town with lots to do and see is nearby including hiking trails.
Lempster, New Hampshire sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation in the southwestern region of New Hampshire, with surrounding campgrounds nestled in mixed hardwood forests and along the Sugar River watershed. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with most primitive sites closing earlier due to fall temperatures that can drop below freezing at night. Local campgrounds feature diverse terrain from mountainside forests to riverfront locations.
Hiking Mount Ascutney: Mount Ascutney State Park provides multiple trail options ranging from novice to experienced. "There are also other trails that lead to the summit of Mt. Ascutney. We decided to drive up Mt. Ascutney to see the sunset our first night," notes one visitor at Mount Ascutney State Park Campground. The auto road offers an accessible alternative for reaching mountain views.
Kayaking and canoeing: The Connecticut River provides calm paddling experiences for all skill levels. At Wilgus State Park Campground, "The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream." A shuttle service runs on specific days to transport paddlers upstream for float trips back to camp.
Mountain biking: Several area campgrounds maintain dedicated mountain biking trails. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," reports a Mount Ascutney visitor. Additional trails at nearby outdoor centers offer more technical options for experienced riders.
Private riverside sites: Campgrounds along local waterways offer sought-after riverside camping. A Crow's Nest camper notes, "Mostly seasonals and RVs but there are some nice spots by the river. Most sites do not have much privacy, but the campground itself is very quiet and clean. Sites 66 & 55 seemed to be the most private." These water-adjacent sites often book first during peak season.
Remote camping options: Pillsbury State Park Campground provides more secluded options for those seeking quieter environments. "I recently stayed at site 1A over the Memorial day weekend. After a very quick checkin at the Park office, I headed out to my site. The site features a 200ft(60yd) hike in on a rustic trail. At the end of the trail you are greeted with a nice private site, and an equally spectacular view of the Vickery Pond," shares one camper who appreciated the seclusion.
Fishing access: Multiple ponds and rivers in the region support recreational fishing. At Tree Farm Campground, visitors mention "fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams." The stocked waters support various fish species, though specific licenses and regulations apply.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. A Pillsbury State Park visitor cautions, "They have no electricity so you have to be willing to rough it. It is a great campground to get away from the city. 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."
Cash-only operations: Many smaller campgrounds require cash payment for services. "Everything is cash here, no cards accepted except when reserving a site online," explains one Pillsbury camper. Plan to bring adequate cash for firewood purchases, site fees, and shower operations.
Swimming conditions: Water quality varies seasonally across area swimming spots. "Swimming is available at sunapee unless you like leaches. Fishing friendly and quiet campground," warns one visitor about Pillsbury State Park's swimming conditions. Alternative swimming locations include town beaches and designated swimming holes with better water conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lempster, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lempster, NH is Pillsbury State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lempster, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 144 dog-friendly camping locations near Lempster, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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