Best Campgrounds near New Durham, NH
Camping areas around New Durham, New Hampshire span several developed campgrounds and natural settings within the Lakes Region. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in nearby Nottingham offers tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options with lake access. Gunstock Campground in Gilford provides 250 sites with various accommodation types including cabins. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities like electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables, while others maintain a more rustic atmosphere. The region includes both family-oriented resorts such as Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Milton and adult-focused campgrounds, creating a diverse mix of camping experiences within a 30-minute drive of New Durham.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the New Hampshire Lakes Region, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Summer months bring warm days ideal for swimming and water activities, while fall offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays and waterfront locations. Campgrounds like Sun River in Center Barnstead operate from mid-May to mid-October, while others like Pawtuckaway State Park remain open until October 31st. Cell service varies throughout the region, with several visitors noting spotty coverage in more remote areas. A visitor commented that "phone coverage is poor (Verizon); can usually get texts out. If you want to geocache, download the info for offline use!"
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the New Durham area, with lakes and rivers serving as focal points for many campgrounds. Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Pawtuckaway State Park earns praise for its lake setting, with one camper noting that "the park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities are common at larger campgrounds, while smaller sites offer more seclusion and natural surroundings. Several visitors mentioned the region's proximity to hiking trails in the White Mountains as an added benefit, allowing campers to enjoy both water recreation and mountain exploration during their stay.