Camping in central New Hampshire's Merrimack Valley places visitors within a moderate climate zone with average summer highs around 80°F and lows in the 50s. The Loudon region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level with the surrounding Suncook River valley providing water access at several campgrounds. Most tent sites throughout the area feature packed dirt or gravel surfaces rather than platforms.
What to do
Mountain biking at Bear Brook: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive mountain biking trails accessible directly from campsites. "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," notes Eammon C., who appreciated the integration of camping and riding opportunities within the 10,000-acre forest preserve.
Paddle on Pawtuckaway Lake: Visitors to Pawtuckaway State Park can rent canoes and kayaks for exploring the multi-island lake system. According to Matt R., "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."
Tubing the Suncook River: During summer months, enjoy floating down the gentle current at Lazy River Family Campground, which provides shuttle service back to your starting point. As Dan M. explains, "Whether you're floating down the river (with return transport provided), swimming in the well maintained pool, or chasing your toddler back and forth in the kids pool... it's easy going here."
What campers like
Early season quietude: May and early June offer fewer crowds at many Loudon-area campgrounds before peak summer season begins. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet," reports Kris M. about Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Varied terrain options: Campers appreciate the diversity of sites available within single campgrounds. At Gunstock Campground, Jean C. notes, "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." Some sites offer mountain views while others provide brook-side settings or field adjacency.
Personal guidance to sites: Staff at dog friendly campgrounds near Loudon often provide personalized service to help campers find ideal spots. As one visitor to Epsom Valley Campground recounts, "When we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing! They really do care about making sure everyone is accommodated/happy."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: While many campgrounds welcome pets, some have specific timing restrictions. Erin W. points out regarding Pawtuckaway State Park: "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. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess."
Cell coverage variations: Mobile reception can be spotty throughout the region, even within the same campground. At Bear Brook, Jean C. reports, "Cell phone coverage varies from 1-2 bars, not always 4G, on Verizon," while another camper noted, "For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon."
Booking differences: Sun River Campground and several other locations require phone reservations rather than online booking. Some campers find this frustrating, as Sara D. notes: "Campground is a little hard to find off the main road so you really have to keep an eye out for the turn." Call ahead to confirm booking procedures and directions.
Tips for camping with families
Beach options: For families with children, Gunstock Campground offers multiple swimming options. As one visitor observed, "There's another beach in the campground itself," while "the playgrounds both at the campground and at the Catamount Pond beach" provide recreation for younger guests even during cooler periods when swimming isn't possible.
Activity variety: Family-friendly campgrounds typically offer multiple recreation options beyond water features. "The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store that was close to the camp sites," explains Utshob A. about Bear Brook State Park Campground, adding convenience for families who forgot essential items.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have better sound buffering between sites than others. Quinn G. at Lazy River Family Campground suggests: "Be aware that the sites along the river, while waterfront and nice, do suffer from road noise coming from NH28. Obviously not the campgrounds fault by any means." Families with light sleepers may want interior sites rather than water-adjacent ones.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Loudon region have uneven terrain requiring preparation. According to Kurt W. who visited Epsom Valley, "Owner was great, showed us our campground and ready bacon for our slot," helping navigate some of the terrain challenges common in New Hampshire's glacial landscape.
Waste disposal access: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Loudon offer dump stations, but location and availability vary. Tammy at Sandy Beach Campground recommends checking this facility's location before selecting a site: "We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine," demonstrating that strategic placement can improve convenience.
Electric hookup types: RVers should verify amperage availability before booking. Bear Brook State Park offers 30 and 50-amp service, while some smaller campgrounds provide only 30-amp. Robert M. notes about Sandy Beach, "Mostly a 5th wheelers park but you can see a 34 foot class A here and there so don't fret, there is room."