Camping near Londonderry, New Hampshire offers access to diverse woodland environments within 30 miles of the city. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 200-500 feet, with the camping season typically running from May through mid-October. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night even in early fall, so campers should pack accordingly.
What to do
Swimming access: three pools: At Friendly Beaver Campground, families enjoy multiple swimming options. "They have 3 outdoor pools(sports,toddler,regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days," notes Kate C.
Kayaking on quiet ponds: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers excellent water recreation opportunities. "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," shares Matt R.
Comedy and entertainment: Some campgrounds feature scheduled entertainment for adults. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, "the band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean & our 9 yr old did not get any of the jokes that were a little sassy," reports Sara D.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers secluded camping spaces. "Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, the campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization. We stayed on site 22, which was spacious and private from the other sites on either side," explains Ellen C.
Clean facilities: Autumn Hills Campground maintains exceptionally clean amenities. "The bathhouses are probably the best maintained of any campground I've stayed at. They're cleaned multiple time a day," mentions Daniel J.
Proximity to beaches: Many campers appreciate how close some campgrounds are to coastal attractions. "The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too," says Kris S. about Wakeda Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Dog policies vary significantly by season at state parks. At Pawtuckaway State Park, one camper noted: "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."
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. At Lorraine Park Campground, "Large sites. Clean bathroom. Good for families or couples," reports Rebecca D., while other campgrounds may have more densely packed sites.
Noise levels differ by campground: Some locations enforce strict quiet hours while others are known for being more lively. "Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn't see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it'll happen only if people act out)," shares Migdalia G. about Harold Parker State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds offer small petting zoos. "They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events," says Kate C. about Friendly Beaver Campground.
Playground accessibility: Spacious Skies Minute Man offers family-friendly amenities. "Also have arcade, volleyball, and pet walk area," notes Mary F., making it suitable for families with both children and pets.
Off-peak camping for more space: Weekday visits often mean fewer crowds at popular locations. "During the week it's pretty quiet," Daniel J. mentions about Autumn Hills Campground, suggesting families seeking more space should consider non-weekend stays.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At some campgrounds, utility connections may require extra planning. One camper at Autumn Hills Campground notes: "We stayed at site 14 needed a very long sewer hose."
GPS navigation challenges: Some RVers report navigation difficulties. When visiting Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, Sara D. warns: "if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance."
Late check-in procedures: For dog friendly campgrounds near Londonderry that offer late arrivals, knowing the process is important. "Late check-in (7:45 p.m.) was a bit tricky — an envelope with a key card and map were placed in a mailbox for us due to store/office closing @ 6 but no mention of this in the confirmation email," reports a camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
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