Bear Brook State Park sits just 15 miles from Loudon, New Hampshire, offering camping options within 10,000 acres of forested terrain. The area features elevation changes between 350-1,000 feet, creating diverse terrain for hiking and mountain biking. Campgrounds near Loudon remain open seasonally, with most operating from May through October when temperatures average 45-80°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive mountain biking opportunities with well-maintained trails. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The biking trails were a blast," reports Eammon C. The trails are accessible directly from the campground, allowing riders to start their adventure without driving.
Kayaking on small lakes: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides access to multiple water bodies perfect for paddling. "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," notes Matt R. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at several campgrounds around Loudon.
Fishing from accessible docks: Keyser Pond Campground offers pond access with regular stocking of fish. "The pond was convenient for kayaking and canoeing," one visitor mentioned. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores. Several campgrounds maintain fishing docks with wheelchair accessibility.
What campers like
Winter camping options: Luxury glamping close to Loudon, New Hampshire extends beyond summer months at select facilities. Meredith Woods Four Season Camping offers year-round access. "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day," notes Mara S. Their heated bathroom facilities include utility sinks for washing dishes during colder weather.
Clean bathroom facilities: Autumn Hills Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "The bathhouses are probably the best maintained of any campground I've stayed at. They're cleaned multiple time a day," reports Daniel J. Many campgrounds now feature family-style or private bathroom options with controlled access.
Camp stores with essentials: Cold Springs Camp Resort provides well-stocked stores with camping necessities. "Beautiful, extremely clean bathrooms, reasonably priced little cafe, big camp store, very friendly staff, 4 outdoor pools & pretty big campground that has a gated entry/exit that needs a key card pass you get upon registering," notes Sara D. Stores typically operate from 8am-8pm during peak season with reduced hours in shoulder seasons.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds have a mix of exposed and private sites. At Bear Brook State Park, "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees," explains Jean C. Research specific site numbers before booking to ensure the level of privacy desired.
Seasonal occupancy dominates some campgrounds: Several facilities near Loudon primarily serve seasonal campers rather than short-term visitors. One reviewer noted about a local campground: "All everyone does here is ride around in Golf carts with cases of beer and get drunk. It's an underfunded trailer park."
Shower fees at some locations: Not all campgrounds include free showers. Jean C. noted about Bear Brook: "Bathhouses offer coin-operated showers; I noticed a price difference between the two of them, so went with the less expensive option!" Pack quarters for these facilities, typically costing $0.25-$1.00 per shower.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple pool options: Sandy Beach Campground offers swimming alternatives beyond lake access. "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. A lot of seasonal people but friendly. Playground is on the beach," notes Nicole.
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular family events. "They do plan and host activities and events for the weekends," notes one visitor about Autumn Hills Campground. Activities typically include crafts, movie nights, and seasonal celebrations like Halloween-themed weekends in summer and fall.
Pet policies vary: Check pet rules before booking glamping near Loudon. One reviewer of Pawtuckaway 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." Some campgrounds restrict pets during peak season while permitting them during spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for size constraints: Many campgrounds have tight access roads that can challenge larger rigs. One camper at Autumn Hills Campground shared: "We went here for our first time stay with our RV. The sites were on the small side, but it worked just fine. We stayed at site 14 needed a very long sewer hose."
Gate access systems: Several campgrounds implement security measures requiring cards or codes. "Keycard access to get on site (hand it in when checking out. Don't use the drop box. $50 lost fee)," warns one Autumn Hills visitor. RVers should factor arrival times into planning as some offices close early, particularly during off-peak seasons.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. A visitor to Meredith Woods mentioned: "Sites not fully level but leveling blocks took care of it." Pack adequate leveling equipment even when reserving designated RV sites.
