Located in southern New Hampshire, the area around East Merrimack offers rustic camping experiences set amidst a mix of pine forests and river systems. The Merrimack Valley region sits at elevations ranging from 160-400 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Campgrounds in this area combine accessibility to Manchester and Nashua with natural environments centered around ponds, lakes, and trail networks.
What to do
Water activities at Pawtuckaway State Park: Campsites offer direct lake access for kayaking and fishing. The park features multiple camping areas including sites on islands with waterfront views. "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," notes Matt R. from Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park: The 10,000-acre forest preserve contains extensive trail systems popular with mountain bikers. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the biking trails were a blast," states Eammon C. from Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Golfing while camping: Some campgrounds combine recreational facilities with camping. Hidden Valley RV Park offers a 9 or 18-hole course with golf cart rentals. "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," explains Christy C.
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: Facilities with varied water recreation stand out among camper reviews. "So many amenities, you just couldn't get bored if you tried to. Beautiful, extremely clean bathrooms, reasonably priced little cafe, big camp store, very friendly staff, 4 outdoor pools & pretty big campground that has a gated entry/exit that needs a key card pass you get upon registering," shares Sara D. from Cold Springs Camp Resort.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Many campgrounds accommodate four-legged companions. "We have only one con about the grounds, there were a ton of ticks on the edge of the site. Staff was friendly, pool was nice & sites were fairly spacious," notes Sara D. from Autumn Hills Campground.
Waterfront sites: Campsites with direct water access rate highly. "Beautiful location in southern NH! Located Beside a lake, The water is great for swimming, and the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike," reports Alyse-Beast F. The proximity to natural water features provides both recreational opportunities and scenic benefits.
What you should know
Seasonal occupation: Many campgrounds have high percentages of seasonal residents. "All everyone does here is ride around in Golf carts with cases of beer and get drunk. Not my scene! It's an underfunded trailer park," cautions Steve E. about one location. First-time visitors should research the ratio of seasonal to transient sites.
Varying site privacy: Site separation differs significantly between campgrounds. "The sites were a little close and difficult to set up with more than one tent in our specific campsite. Went here to stay when attending a Tool concert in Manchester one summer," explains Jackie G. from Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Booking limitations: Some campgrounds restrict the number of adults per site. "My biggest gripe is the limit of 2 adults MAX per site. As an adult with no kids I would like to bring along another couple once in a while that also enjoys camping. This would require me to get a 2nd site from the already very limited tent sites available," explains Brandon C.
Tips for camping with families
Look for family activities: Campgrounds with organized events enhance the experience for children. "We've been back here a few times because my girls love it. They have 3 outdoor pools(sports,toddler,regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days. They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events," recommends Kate C. from Friendly Beaver Campground.
Consider campground layout: Choose sites near amenities when camping with children. "Sites 31, 32, 33, 34 would make a nice place for a large group of friends to pitch their tents. The bath and shower house was well maintained and a short walk from site 22," advises Ellen C.
Pack for weather fluctuations: New Hampshire evenings can be cool even in summer. "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," recalls Kris M.
Tips from RVers
Check hook-up configurations: Site layouts vary between campgrounds. "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services," warns Carry M.
Preview sites when possible: Site dimensions vary significantly, sometimes requiring last-minute changes. "They originally booked us on a site so small, our tent wouldn't even fit so we weren't going to be able to have a fire because our tent was so close to it. Went to the desk and they switched us to a different site a couple sites down that was much larger," explains Sara D. from Calef Lake Camping Area.
Verify after-hours check-in procedures: Late arrivals should confirm arrangements beforehand. "Late check-in was a bit tricky — an envelope with a key card and map were placed in a mailbox for us due to store/office closing @ 6 but no mention of this in the confirmation email & long wait time on hold to find out site #," notes Sara D.
