Dispersed camping options near Mont Vernon, New Hampshire are limited due to the area's predominantly private land ownership. Most visitors choose from established campgrounds within 20 miles of town, operating primarily from May through October. Elevations in this region range from 500-1000 feet, creating temperature variations that can drop 10-15°F at night compared to daytime highs, even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails at Bear Brook: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks across its 10,000-acre forest preserve. "There's another beach in the campground itself. Numerous trails call out of exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found," notes a reviewer who appreciated the park's diverse recreational opportunities.
Mountain biking access: Bear Brook State Park provides dedicated mountain biking trails popular with campers. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The biking trails were a blast," explains one visitor who found the campground's trail access convenient.
Water activities at Pawtuckaway: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers multiple water-based recreation options. "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," shares one camper who enjoyed the lake access.
Boulder climbing opportunities: Pawtuckaway contains several boulder fields popular with rock climbers. "Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier," mentions a reviewer describing gear tested at the park.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Greenfield State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its secluded sites. "Very large campground with lots of woods to block you from other campers. Dog friendly 🐶," writes one visitor who appreciated the privacy between sites.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Mont Vernon region maintain well-kept bathhouses. "The bathhouses are immaculate. The showers take coins but the facilities are some of the best I've seen while camping on State Park grounds," mentions a visitor to Monadnock State Park.
Waterfront camping: Many campers specifically seek lakeside sites at regional campgrounds. "In 2018 we stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake and are situated right across from the bath/shower," explains a camper at Pawtuckaway State Park.
Multiple swimming options: Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out for its aquatic amenities. "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," reports one enthusiastic visitor.
What you should know
Site reservation timing: For the best places to camp near Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, early booking is essential. "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... but all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!" advises a Pawtuckaway visitor who secured a prime location.
Seasonal pet restrictions: Some campgrounds limit pet access during peak months. "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess," notes a Pawtuckaway camper.
Campground noise levels: Noise can vary significantly between campgrounds. "Side note.. campers aren't respectful of other campers and very noisy here," warns one Pawtuckaway visitor, while at Monadnock State Park, another camper had the opposite experience: "This is one of the quietest and most peaceful campgrounds I've ever stayed at."
Bug preparedness: Insects can be problematic, particularly in wooded or lakeside areas. "The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly, and the mosquitoes are ferocious," notes a camper who visited Monadnock State Park's Gilson Pond area.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Friendly Beaver Campground offers extensive water features for children. "We've been back her 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," shares a parent who found the facilities ideal for kids.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas. "There's a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games," notes a visitor to Monadnock State Park.
Animal attractions: Some campgrounds offer animal encounters. "They have a few animals the kids can feed," mentions a Friendly Beaver visitor, while another camper at Spacious Skies Seven Maples appreciated seeing "the chain saw carved bears that greeted me."
Organized activities: Weekend programming at certain campgrounds provides structured entertainment. "They also have crafts, hayrides and games, playground and other events," shares a Friendly Beaver visitor who found the scheduled activities beneficial for keeping children occupied.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. "My 28 foot travel trailer barely fit into the site," warns a visitor to Autumn Hills Campground who found the spaces restrictive.
Hookup considerations: Electric service can vary between campgrounds. "Had issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities While my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue," reports a camper at Spacious Skies Seven Maples.
Campground navigation: Road design affects RV maneuverability within campgrounds. "Roads are a little interesting to navigate, and definitely aren't the straight lines on their map!" observes a visitor to Spacious Skies Minute Man who successfully navigated the layout despite its challenges.
Arrival coordination: New RVers should consider timing and potential assistance needs. "When We checked in they acknowledged the note. The gentleman at the counter said we would be fine after the woman at the register asked if he was going to take us," shares a first-time RVer at Autumn Hills who had requested setup help.
