Best Campgrounds near Meriden, NH
Camping near Meriden, New Hampshire encompasses a range of options spanning both New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont, with the Connecticut River forming a natural boundary between the states. The area features established campgrounds, state parks, and backcountry sites within a 30-minute drive. Storrs Pond Recreation Area in nearby Hanover offers year-round camping with both tent and RV accommodations, while Mount Ascutney State Park in Windsor, Vermont provides scenic camping on the slopes of a 3,200-foot mountain. Pillsbury State Park, located southwest of Meriden, is known for its primitive camping experience with sites accessible by car, foot, or boat.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, coinciding with New England's prime outdoor recreation months. Winter camping options are limited, with Storrs Pond being one of the few year-round facilities. Mosquitoes can be prevalent during summer months, particularly in wooded areas near water. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage in developed areas and limited to no service in more remote locations. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer and fall foliage seasons, and popular waterfront sites often book months in advance.
The camping experience varies widely across the region. State parks like Mount Ascutney and Quechee offer lean-tos and traditional tent sites with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms with coin-operated showers. Private campgrounds such as Quechee-Pine Valley KOA provide more amenities including full hookups for RVs, cabins, and recreational facilities. For those seeking a more rustic experience, backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail, such as Velvet Rocks Shelter, offer primitive camping with minimal facilities. As one camper noted about Pillsbury State Park, it is "one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system, heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands."
