Camping options near Meriden, New Hampshire offer varied experiences in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, which sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 80°F and colorful fall foliage periods when temperatures drop to the 50-60°F range. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October due to New Hampshire's winter conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: Jamaica State Park Campground has hiking trails leading to natural attractions. "Great hiking or biking along the West River! There is a gorgeous waterfall (Hamilton Falls), a great place to take our dog for a quick walk," notes a visitor at Jamaica State Park Campground.
Swimming in quarries: The Dorset area features unique swimming opportunities. "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet," reports a camper who visited Dorset RV Park.
Nature trails: Some campgrounds maintain their own trail networks. "A fun plus to the campground was the nature walk and stream on the property. This was a great place to take our dog for a quick walk. There's even a little 'wishing' bridge that crosses the stream," according to a guest at Newfound RV Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance is consistently praised across multiple sites. "Squeaky clean - and that's not always easy especially in the winter when everyone drags snow, slush and mud into the bathroom," mentions a winter visitor at Meredith Woods Four Season Camping.
Year-round options: While most campgrounds close for winter, some accommodate cold-weather camping. "We stayed for a winter weekend, they have a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round. There are a ton of full time seasonal RV's as many people use this campground as a base for snow machining," notes another Meredith Woods guest.
Site privacy: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. "The campground is very friendly... a lot of seasonal folks. We had a nice corner site which fit our 34' rig just fine," reports a camper who stayed at Sandy Beach Campground.
What you should know
Swimming conditions: Natural water features vary in quality. "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," notes one camper at Sandy Beach Campground.
Seasonal pest issues: Timing affects camping comfort. "Our biggest issue was the over-abundance of gypsy moth worms. Crawling over everything and the concern of bringing them home with us to infest our trees. Not the campground's fault, but of concern nevertheless."
Tree navigation challenges: Some loops present difficulties for larger rigs. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns a camper who stayed at Tree Farm Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "There is a playground, rentable kayaks and canoes, a basketball goal, frisbee golf, corn hole, horseshoes, yard darts etc.," mentions a visitor to Silver Lake Park Campground.
Indoor options for rainy days: Some facilities offer weatherproof activities. "Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day," notes a Meredith Woods guest.
Age restrictions for facilities: Check rules before promising activities to children. "The age limit for hot tub is 14 YO and strictly enforced," warns a camper who experienced this limitation at Meredith Woods.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger motorhomes: Ask about specific site dimensions when booking RV camping near Meriden, New Hampshire. "Initially offered site 1 but wanted to be out of the way. After being on site, my 35' rig wouldn't have fit at all, may have been without site and likely without refund. A ~20-25' TT was in that spot comfortably," cautions one RVer.
Electrical service needs: Confirm your specific power requirements. "My wife and I spent the month of July at Riverbrook and we couldn't have been happier. The park is clean, comfortable, and convenient to adventures in the White Mountains," reports a guest at Riverbrook RV & Camping Resort.
Extended-stay considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate longer visits. "We were able to use our AT&T hotspot with decent service. That worked well enough for my needs, so I didn't test the onsite WiFi," notes a camper who used Newfound RV Park as a base location.
