Camping opportunities near Londonderry, New Hampshire range from rustic to resort-style within a 45-minute drive radius. The region sits in the Merrimack River Valley at approximately 420 feet elevation with typical New England weather patterns including humid summers averaging 80°F and cold winters where temperatures can drop below 0°F. Fall camping season (September-October) features lower humidity and colorful foliage while spring camping often contends with muddy conditions from snowmelt.
What to do
Kayaking at Pawtuckaway State Park: Access multiple waterways with rental options available on-site. The park features a unique system of islands connected by waterways. According to Matt R., "This is a fantastic little camp 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."
Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park: Explore over 40 miles of dedicated biking trails directly accessible from the campground. One visitor noted, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!" The park offers trails for various skill levels with both technical terrain and beginner-friendly routes.
Beach time at Salisbury Beach State Reservation: Located 40 minutes east of Londonderry, this oceanfront campground provides direct beach access. "We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived," shared Meg T., who added, "I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!"
Historical site visits: Explore Revolutionary War sites and museums within 30 minutes of Londonderry. The Minute Man Campground in Littleton, MA serves as an ideal base for history enthusiasts. A camper mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Premium lakeside spots at Pawtuckaway State Park offer direct water access and scenic views. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" reports J L. These prime locations typically require booking 3-6 months in advance during peak season.
Secluded, wooded campsites: Many campgrounds feature sites set back in forested areas providing privacy. At Wakeda Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. As one visitor describes, "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently rate bathroom cleanliness as a priority. Wakeda Campground receives particular praise in this area: "The campground and bathrooms are kept very clean." This sentiment is echoed at Harold Parker State Forest where a reviewer noted, "Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free!"
Family-friendly activities: Most campgrounds offer structured recreation options. At Calef Lake Camping Area, a visitor reported, "Friendly campground, kids and adult paint the weekend we were there. Awesome that they have a dog pond and the fishing was good there too."
What you should know
Seasonal camping restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from May through October with limited or no winter camping options. Bear Brook State Park typically closes in "late October" according to their website, while Wakeda Campground operates from "May 15 to October 1."
Reservation requirements: High-demand weekends require advance planning, particularly for holiday weekends. At Harold Parker State Forest, a camper advised, "Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient."
Variable cell coverage: Service is unreliable throughout the region's campgrounds. A camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Resort reported, "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," while others noted spotty service that varied by carrier.
Pet policies differ significantly: Some campgrounds restrict dogs entirely or during peak seasons. A Pawtuckaway State Park visitor shared this frustration: "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Tips for camping with families
Scout playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Friendly Beaver Campground, "They have 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."
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Weekend programming can keep children engaged. One visitor noted about Wakeda Campground, "They offered electric, water, and sewer hook up, trading post that had camping goods and snacks, WiFi hotspot, pool table, and lounging area. They also had a game room, miniature golf, coffee shop and dog park."
Consider proximity to restrooms: When camping with young children, bathroom access matters. At Bear Brook State Park, "The bath and shower house was well maintained and a short walk from 22," according to Ellen C., making middle-of-the-night bathroom trips more manageable.
Look for water features: Swimming options can make or break a family camping trip during summer months. Pawtuckaway State Park offers "a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent," according to one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Watch for hookup placement: At some campgrounds, utility connections can be awkwardly positioned. A visitor to 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."
Check size limitations: Campground roads and site dimensions vary considerably. Minute Man Campground gets positive reviews for accessibility: "Easy to maneuver even with a big rig," according to one RVer.
Plan for dump station timing: During busy checkout periods, wait times can exceed 30 minutes. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, they offer a "big dump site, and good prices," according to one visitor, though they recommend avoiding peak checkout times.
Consider seasonal rates: Some campgrounds offer weekly rate discounts. At Spacious Skies Minute Man, "If you stay for 6 days, the 7th is free," according to Molly B., representing significant savings for longer stays.
