The New Boston area sits at elevations ranging from 400-500 feet with a humid continental climate that brings warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Nearby campgrounds typically open from May through October, with some offering extended seasonal availability. Water access is common at many sites, with several featuring multiple ponds or lakes for recreation.
What to do
Fishing access: Bear Brook State Park offers wheelchair accessible docks specifically designed for fishing, plus two separate archery ranges for those interested in target practice. As one visitor notes, "The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites."
Kayaking and canoeing: At Autumn Hills Campground, the lake provides excellent paddling opportunities with boat rentals available on-site. "They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Store on site and they do activities during the week," reports a camper who visited with family.
Mountain biking: The extensive trail network at Bear Brook State Park Campground draws cyclists even in late fall. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," shares one reviewer who specifically visited for the mountain biking opportunities.
Swimming options: Pawtuckaway State Park features multiple swimming areas, including lakefront sites for direct water access. A visitor mentioned, "If possible, reserve those to ensure the best spots (the sunrise!), but all of the campground sites are nice."
What campers like
Multiple swimming areas: Cold Springs Camp Resort offers seven pools catering to different preferences. "Great campground. The pools are amazing. Kid pools. Adult pools! Adult hot tub," explains one camper, highlighting the varied swimming options available.
Petting zoo experiences: Small animal interactions at Friendly Beaver Campground provide entertainment for younger campers. One visitor shared, "We enjoyed their small but nice petting zoo of a few goats and a horse. Their general store was adequate."
Clean facilities: Oxbow Campground maintains excellent bathrooms and grounds. "Tom takes great care to keep the grounds and the bathrooms/showers very clean. It is obvious he takes pride in ownership," notes a recent visitor, highlighting the maintenance standards.
Lake and pond access: Many campsites at Calef Lake Camping Area back up to water features. A reviewer observed, "Campsite was on a little creek. Friendly, helpful staff. Quiet nights, easy check-in. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times."
What you should know
Site privacy varies: At Autumn Hills Campground, some sites offer more seclusion than others. "Situated primarily on a hillside, some of the sites are tricky to navigate with a camper, but it also minimizes the amount of neighbors you have if you are looking to have some quiet time," explains one visitor.
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds near New Boston have numerous long-term seasonal residents. At Friendly Beaver, a reviewer observed, "Mostly seasonal sites. Lots of golf carts and drunks (if that's your thing, cool). Facilities were nice and clean."
Weekend activity levels: Campgrounds often become busier on weekends with more organized activities. At Sandy Beach Campground, a visitor noted, "Quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing."
Reservation timing: For premium sites, especially waterfront locations, early booking is essential. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" advises a Pawtuckaway State Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking at The Pine Campground, consider how close you want to be to play areas. "We picked a site down the road from the playground, if you have kids you may want to be closer," suggests one family who camped there.
Specialized pool areas: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers both beach swimming and designated swimming zones. "There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent," notes a visitor, highlighting options for water play.
Free paddle boats: Oxbow Campground includes complimentary paddle boat use with your stay. A family camper shared, "They have 3 separate ponds-one for fishing, one for boating & the larger one is for swimming. Free paddle boats :), a recreational hall with a pool table & video games."
Halloween events: Several campgrounds run Halloween-themed weekends during summer months. Cold Springs Camp Resort features what one camper called "halloween weekend in August and their haunted house was incredible for a campground!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Keyser Pond Campground, full hookup sites vary in privacy and location. "We poked around the whole campground and found a couple other sites that were a little more spaced out. We will definitely give it another shot next summer," advises an RV camper who initially had site spacing concerns.
Rental options: For those wanting glamping in New Boston, New Hampshire without bringing an RV, several parks offer cabin rentals. At Oxbow Campground, "They have 2 cabins to rent. And the rest is RVs," reports a visitor who explored various accommodation options.
Hookup configurations: Some sites require extended hose connections. A first-time RVer at Autumn Hills noted, "We stayed at site 14 needed a very long sewer hose. The staff was very nice. When I made the reservation, I informed that it was the first time for us in an RV."
Navigation challenges: Narrow campground roads can make maneuvering large rigs difficult. A camper at Cold Springs observed, "Nicely landscaped although the roads are very narrow. Made it hard to back in our spot."
