A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Meriden, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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."
Best Campgrounds near Meriden (216)
1. Quechee State Park Campground
"Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."
"There is a “campers only” access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail."
from $38 / night
Check Availability2. Quechee Pine Valley Campground
"While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
3. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Whether it’s a hike or a drive, I highly recommend it! Just note, the road closes after dusk and a barrier goes down."
4. Wilgus State Park Campground
"Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full."
"A walking path runs in front of all the sites. Most sites have an obstructed water view of the Connecticut river. There is a vegitation barrier between the sites and the river."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability5. Crow's Nest Campground
"Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay."
"There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel."
from $32 - $115 / night
Check Availability6. Good Night Moon Vintage
from $59 - $99 / night
Check Availability7. Northstar Campground
"We had a spacious site w/water and electric next to the Sugar River. We enjoyed our time here and will definitely go back."
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability8. Caton Place Campground
"Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured."
9. Pillsbury State Park Campground
"Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. "
"Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."
from $29 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. Coolidge State Park Campground
"Coolidge is off the beaten path but well worth the wander! There are no water sites, it’s on the side of a heavily wooded mountain with a few sites having amazing views!"
"Nice place to get away from it all. Very wooded and private sites. Many have lean-tos and brick ovens."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 11 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 32 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 41 min from Amherst Center, MA
- 2 hrs 11 min from Glens Falls, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Meriden, NH
491 Photos of 216 Meriden Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tentrr Signature Site - Ascutney View
Quechee State Park Campground
Good Night Moon VintageJ
Mount Ascutney State Park Campground
Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Cardigan Skyline CampsM
Wilgus State Park Campground
Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Crows Nestp
Northstar Campground
Crown Point Camping Area
Recent Reviews near Meriden, NH
969 Reviews of 216 Meriden Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- KKaSondra S.Scout
Crown Point Camping Area
Disappointed
Very Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Isaiah D.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Kids Stayed Entertained
We brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
William P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Our Favorite Part Of Staying
The Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
Guide to Meriden
Camping opportunities near Meriden, New Hampshire extend across an area straddling the Connecticut River Valley at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,200 feet. The region includes several ponds and wetlands that support diverse wildlife populations including moose and loons. Primitive camping options typically open in May with most facilities closing by mid-October, though weather conditions may extend or shorten seasons.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Visitors at Pillsbury State Park can explore multiple ponds connected by small streams. "We spent one night at Site 11. Our site was waterfront and shared a small beach/kayak launch with the neighboring site. Kayaking on May Pond and discovering little islands and coves was a highlight," reports Jessica N.
Hot air balloon viewing: The area offers unique aerial experiences at certain times of year. "The hot air balloon festival is amazing!" notes Rhonda B. about events near Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, which schedules seasonal activities throughout summer months.
Trail connectivity: The regional trail system links several wilderness areas. Matthew S. highlights that at Pillsbury State Park there are "great hikes that you can get to right from your campsite, connecting to the Monadnock-Sunapee greenway (a 48 mile trail connecting two of NH's beautiful mountains)."
Mountain exploration: Drive or hike up Mount Ascutney for panoramic vistas. "The road can be a bit confusing but there is no traffic to worry about. Take advantage of the historical site nearby (President Calvin Coolidge's homestead) and long trail brewing," suggests Danielle S. about Coolidge State Park.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds maintain noise restrictions that enhance the natural setting. Chris A. observes about Quechee State Park that the "biggest pro - everyone respects the quietness" making it ideal for those seeking peaceful surroundings.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities receive regular maintenance throughout the season. "The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters," notes Jan B. about facilities at Quechee State Park.
Campground activities: Scheduled ranger-led programs provide educational opportunities. "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," shares Jen B.
Private sites: Most campgrounds offer good spacing between sites. Dana M. mentions that at Mount Ascutney State Park, "sites are very well maintained and have decent spacing between sites. The mountain biking trails are awesome and the hiking is fantastic!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. Justin P. notes at Velvet Rocks Shelter backcountry campground, there are "no guaranteed water and a basic privvy" with conditions typical of Appalachian Trail shelters.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. Dana M. reports about Mount Ascutney, "I cannot give this a 5 star rating solely for the fact of road noise. We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud."
Reservation requirements: Many sites book quickly during peak season. "We chose a lean-to site. Each sturdy lean-to was equipped with a broom to sweep out any leaves/dirt/debris that had accumulated in there," notes Emma N. about arriving prepared.
Limited hookups: Most state parks offer minimal or no utility connections. "Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups," explains Dog S., recommending campers prepare for self-sufficient stays.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. At Wilgus State Park, Kaileigh K. shares, "We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids, rented kayaks and fished from the boat launch."
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide cooling relief during summer. "There is a great local pond for swimming that had dive docks, diving boards and lifeguards on duty that was less than 10 minutes away," adds Kaileigh K. about recreational options near Wilgus State Park.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites farther from main roads for quieter family camping. "There is a loop designated for tents only (sites 19-24) where the road noise is considerable less," recommends Dana M. for families staying at Mount Ascutney.
Recreation equipment: Some campgrounds provide equipment rentals or activity areas. "Between the beach, the mini golf, playground, and an entire shed of recreation items available to use this place is amazing!" notes J L. about Loon Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site configuration challenges: Pay attention to hookup locations when booking. Amy G. from Storrs Pond Recreation Area notes that "the site is set up 'backwards' - the electric hookups are on door side of RV and the picnic table/main area of site is on non door side."
RV size limitations: Many state parks have restrictions on vehicle length. Nancy W. observes that at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "The park is a large park that is terraced since it is in a pretty hilly area. There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size."
Limited hookup availability: Book early for sites with electrical connections. "There are campgrounds for all types of camping and they have Cabins for people who act like they enjoy camping but would rather be in a cabin then on the ground," comments Donna C. about accommodation options.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide waste disposal facilities. "Our site was a full hookup site which is pretty costly especially since we did not use any of the amenities," mentions Nancy W., highlighting that RVers should consider facility costs when planning stays near Meriden, New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Meriden, NH?
What camping is available near Meriden, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Meriden, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 216 campgrounds and RV parks near Meriden, NH and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Meriden, NH?
Which is the most popular campground near Meriden, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Meriden, NH is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Meriden, NH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Meriden, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Meriden, NH.
What parks are near Meriden, NH?
What parks are near Meriden, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Meriden, NH that allow camping, notably North Hartland Lake and Union Village Dam.
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