Camping options near Manchester, New Hampshire provide access to southern New Hampshire's diverse terrain within 30 miles of the city. Most RV parks in this region operate seasonally from mid-spring through mid-fall, typically closing after Columbus Day weekend. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with stronger connections closer to Interstate 93 and weaker coverage in more rural campgrounds west of the city.
What to do
Golfing access: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry offers camping with direct access to their golf course. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," notes one camper at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Water activities: Outdoor recreation extends beyond swimming with multiple ponds available for fishing and boating. "Our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together. There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you. It's a great base for sightseeing," shares a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Outdoor recreation: Several campgrounds provide multiple activity options within their grounds. "This place has all of the amenities. As well as countless outdoor activities. Fun for the whole family! Swimming, fishing, hiking, climbing (near by), biking. What ever your into its here. Volleyball, softball, tent sites, cabins, RV sites..seriously all the amenities," reports a visitor to Pine Acres Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms were a little dirty, but not awful, and we didn't read well that the place doesn't have a grill for cooking, just the fire ring, so we had go hunting for one at a store very far away," reports one tent camper about their stay at Tuxbury Pond.
Convenient location: RV parks near Manchester provide strategic access to coastal attractions. "It's a great base for sightseeing. This is a Thousand Trails Campground and we have had a wide range of experiences with these campgrounds. This is one of the nicer ones," notes a visitor about proximity to attractions from their campground.
Family entertainment: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities for guests. "There is a playground, rentable kayaks and canoes, a basketball goal, frisbee golf, corn hole, horseshoes, yard darts etc. Pets are asked to stay home," explains a reviewer at Silver Lakes Park Campground.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Campground density can significantly impact your experience. "The sites are close together but everyone was very nice. A mix of seasonal and not," reports a camper at Seacoast Camping and RV Resort.
Navigation challenges: Finding some campgrounds requires advance planning. "A little tip about GPS: 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 (seems to happen frequently, I guess)," warns a visitor to Tuxbury Pond.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "Our annual membership fees basically covered what it would cost to camp here for two weeks. The campground has good proximity to Orchard Beach and Portland. However, the spots are pretty tight, and the WiFi is awful away from the registration office," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Moody Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!" shares a visitor to Tuxbury Pond.
Entertainment options: Some parks provide structured activities. "The pool area and hot tub are open until 8pm and are at a comfortable temperature. We stayed in the newer area with larger spots near the entrance to the park. There are activities and food within walking distance," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Moody Beach.
Water safety: Campgrounds with water access maintain specific swimming areas. "Silver Lake Park Campground and Cabins was an incredibly well maintained campground off Jamestown Road in Belmont NH. This is a very clean, quiet, gated campground, with easy beach access for the kids (and launching space for pontoon or bass boats)," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy. Owners are exceptionally helpful and work hard to keep the site functioning and clean," notes a visitor to Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying electrical service. "There are 300 camping sites with full hookups. Very reasonably priced at $40 per night. A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," explains a visitor to Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park.
Space limitations: RV site dimensions vary significantly between properties. "The 30 amp sites are very close together. The campground layout is quite unusual, with campers parked lengthwise along the road. This means that you share the space where you sit outside with the camper behind you, resulting in very little privacy," cautions an RVer about their experience at Thousand Trails Moody Beach.
