RV camping around Nelson, New Hampshire offers options for motorhome travelers wanting to explore the southern part of the state. Located in the Monadnock Region at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, Nelson's surrounding campgrounds provide access to forests, lakes, and small-town New England charm. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through April, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails and waterfalls: Jamaica State Park Campground offers several scenic trails including a path to Hamilton Falls. "Find something that you dont like about this park... go ahead, ill wait. Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," writes one camper at Jamaica State Park Campground.
Swimming and beach activities: Sandy Beach Campground provides a sandy beach with lake access. "The sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site," notes a visitor. The campground also features a playground located directly on the beach.
Golf and camping combination: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park spans 1,300 acres with a 9 or 18-hole golf course. According to one reviewer at Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park, "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc." The park also includes two swimming beaches and a bar and grill.
What campers like
Peaceful wooded settings: Tree Farm Campground provides campsites with natural spacing and trees. "The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private," notes one camper at Tree Farm Campground. The campground also features hiking trails, a pond, waterfalls, and streams.
Family-friendly activities: Woodmore Family Campground offers recreational options for children. "They have a great wiffleball park," mentions one camper. Another notes: "It's great, although I was leery because of the rules they are not strict at all, you have to follow the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience."
Clean facilities and amenities: Field and Stream RV Park maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "Best bathrooms," states one concise review at Field and Stream RV Park. The park offers year-round camping with "sites right next to the water" and coin-operated laundry facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks near Nelson close for winter. Woodmore Family Campground operates from Mother's Day to mid-October, while Tree Farm Campground runs from May 10th to October 19th. Some exceptions exist, like Field and Stream RV Park which offers "all year round camping" with "higher rates Oct 15-May 1."
Pet policies vary significantly: While many campgrounds welcome pets, some have strict restrictions. Silver Lakes Park Campground notably prohibits pets entirely. A reviewer describes it as "a very clean, quiet, gated campground" where "pets are asked to stay home."
Site conditions and spacing: Site quality varies widely between campgrounds. At Tree Farm Campground, one visitor noted "sites that are spacious and private," while at other campgrounds, reviews mention crowded conditions. One reviewer at Hidden Valley RV observed: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water features: Sandy Beach Campground offers a beach with playground directly on the water. "We enjoyed our stay. The first site we got was way too small for our tent and they accommodated us and gave us a choice of two others to pick from. A lot of seasonal people but friendly. Playground is on the beach," reports one family camper at Sandy Beach Campground.
Choose campgrounds with recreation rooms: Newfound RV Park provides indoor facilities for rainy days. A camper mentions appreciating "their laundry facilities, rec room, and quirky owner" during their stay. These indoor spaces can be valuable during New Hampshire's unpredictable weather patterns.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds host evening activities that may not suit early sleepers. One visitor to Pine Acres Resort reported: "Stopped for the night on our way to Maine. Site was across from the pavilion. Arrived at 6:30 pm and there had to be about 30 or more golf carts parked in front of our site. Large crowd of people gathered yelling and karaoke started until 11:20."
Tips from RVers
Check access roads before booking: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. In the area, RVers report difficulty with steep roads and tight turns. One campground in neighboring Vermont had an RVer warning about road conditions that damaged their fifth wheel.
Consider wifi needs: Internet access varies widely between rv parks near Nelson, New Hampshire. At Newfound RV Park, a remote worker noted: "I work remotely, so having internet access is mandatory, 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."
Electrical system reliability: Some campgrounds have reported electrical issues. Camp Coldbrook in nearby Massachusetts had one reviewer warn: "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years. If you go take every precaution from the electrical. Its dangerous."
