Best Campgrounds near New Ipswich, NH

Camping near New Ipswich, New Hampshire encompasses a mix of wooded state parks and family-oriented private campgrounds in the Monadnock region of southern New Hampshire. The area is anchored by Monadnock State Park's Gilson Pond Campground, located at the base of Mount Monadnock, a prominent 3,165-foot peak made famous in writings by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nearby Greenfield State Park Campground offers lakeside camping opportunities, while Woodmore Family Campground in Rindge provides amenities for both tent and RV campers. The Massachusetts border is just minutes away, giving campers access to additional options like Willard Brook State Forest and Pearl Hill State Park.

Most campgrounds in the New Ipswich area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in the more remote campgrounds and hiking areas. Mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months, so insect repellent is essential. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with warm summers (70-85°F), colorful falls, and cold winters that typically close most camping facilities. Fire regulations are strictly enforced, with firewood often available for purchase at campground offices.

State park campgrounds in the region typically offer more natural settings with varying levels of privacy between sites. According to reviews, Gilson Pond Campground features "super private sites" with "friendly rangers" and "incredible hiking" opportunities. The campground is not suitable for large RVs, and dogs are not permitted anywhere in Monadnock State Park. Private campgrounds like Woodmore Family provide more amenities, including full hookups for RVs, camp stores, and organized activities. Many campgrounds in the area feature access to ponds or lakes for swimming and paddling, with boat rentals available at some locations. Hiking trails are abundant throughout the region, with Mount Monadnock offering challenging terrain and spectacular views from its summit.

Best Camping Sites Near New Ipswich, New Hampshire (127)

    1. Gilson Pond Area Campground — Monadnock State Park

    19 Reviews
    Jaffrey, NH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 532-2416

    $29 - $35 / night

    "Gilson Pond Campground is small— just 37 sites nestled into the woods near a swampy, but beautiful pond in Jaffrey, New Hampshire."

    "This was my first time to New Hampshire so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the state parks there. I was not disappointed."

    2. Greenfield State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Bennington, NH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 547-3497

    $29 - $87 / night

    "Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud."

    "Nice views of the lake, swimming, wide open sites, not too over crowded! I'd definitely go back!"

    3. Lake Dennison Recreation Area Campground

    14 Reviews
    Foster Lake, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 297-1609

    $17 - $35 / night

    "The loop closer to the entrance has a lot of private sites. Although if you have one closer to the main road, it is quite noisy with road sounds. But many of the sites in the middle are more quiet."

    "As a caveat, waterfront in this instance was more of a water view as the lake was on the other side of the campground road and a large open area with trees."

    4. The Pine Campground

    7 Reviews
    Ashby, MA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 386-7702

    "Small river/ brook rind behind the campground.   Some shots have nice sound of river right behind the sites.  No pond or pool for swimming."

    5. Otter River State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Baldwinville, MA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 939-8962

    $17 - $55 / night

    "The camp ground is clean nice with lots of trails for hiking and biking.  The bathrooms were clean and water was easy close to the camp ground.  "

    "Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both). One of my favorites. It's kind of a hidden gem in north central Massachusetts."

    6. Pearl Hill State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    West Townsend, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 597-2850

    $17 - $35 / night

    "We really lucked out with getting one of a few sites left on Memorial Day weekend - after walking the campground, I think we would have chosen the same one again! "

    "It was like walking with fur on the bottom of our shoes. The dog also got needles stuck all over and we had to use our COVID alcohol gel to get the glue off. "

    7. Spacious Skies Minute Man

    28 Reviews
    Ayer, MA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 772-0042

    $39 - $999 / night

    "The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."

    "Easily accessible by car to shopping, groceries, etc. but no hiking or good walking paths from the campground."

    8. Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Rindge, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 899-3362

    $42 - $65 / night

    "the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake"

    "Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart."

    9. Willard Brook State Forest Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ashby, MA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (978) 597-8802

    $14 - $55 / night

    "Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. "

    "This campground is small - but its conveniently located near a larger city if you decide you want to venture back to civilization. The trails in the park are nice and well maintained."

    10. Friendly Beaver Campground

    13 Reviews
    New Boston, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 487-5570

    $60 - $130 / night

    "The views outside our camper window is amazing. We’re surrounding be trees and it’s breathtaking when surrounded by freshly fallen snow."

    "I prefer trees, but this wont keep us away from trying out RV sites this year."

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Recent Reviews near New Ipswich, NH

600 Reviews of 127 New Ipswich Campgrounds


  • Lin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Spacious Skies French Pond

    Best Camp in the area

    I am enjoying this camp still, even after 6 months. Management is wonderful and attentive. They take great care of the whole camp and us campers. Fun events are scheduled on the regular!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Nice ‘n Easy campground

    We stayed for 3 days off season so not busy. Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night. Sites have fire rings with excellent airflow for good burning with low smoke. Hook ups are in great condition for power, water, sewer. Showers and bath house on site. Laundry and game room at office area. Office staff was very helpful and they’re open later into the day til 7 PM. Good firewood and large bundle delivered for $15 to your site. We passed over this site on our first trip to the area but are glad we came here and we’re planning to return. Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits.

  • Rae-Ann W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Another great trip to Ashuelot River Campground

    We spent another great weekend at the Ashuelot River Campground. We recently purchased a new-to-us camper and wanted to get in a trip or two before putting it away for the winter. This was our 2nd visit to Ashuelot.

    We were in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park. We were in a fully wooded area on the left side of the campground, which we prefer. They have sites located in fully open areas, as well as some that are partially wooded and have river access. There is a nice mix.

    Having good weather, we took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit. We were able to enjoy a nice, slow drift around the campground.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our time again and will definitely be back.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    Great stop

    Lovely campground. Clean, good WiFi. Kind campers. Will be back

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park

    Good Campground

    Stayed for over a week off season , mid September. Very quiet during the week , weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night. Very loud until after 10:00 on Friday / Saturday. 50 percent or more is seasonal camp sites. Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy. Owners are exceptionally helpful and work hard to keep the site functioning and clean. Coin operated showers with hot water, mostly nice and clean except after a crowd gets packed and checks out Sunday AM. Laundry room takes quarters for machines. Small store at office which was open every day. Game room with wi fi. Pool , playground , volleyball area. Good size wood bundle for $10 , delivered directly to your site. Lake access with kayaks , some local hiking. Major grocery store nearby along with Walmart.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    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. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.


Guide to New Ipswich

Camping sites near New Ipswich, New Hampshire range from state forests to family-oriented private facilities set against the backdrop of the Wapack Range, with elevations reaching approximately 2,300 feet at nearby Pack Monadnock. The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations between seasons, with summer highs averaging 70-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Tent campers will find pine-dominated campsites throughout the region, creating natural shade but sometimes requiring site preparation due to sticky pine needles.

What to do

Swimming in natural settings: Greenfield State Park Campground offers a swimming pond with a clean beach area, though it can get crowded on busy weekends. The park also features a frog pond that's fun to explore. As one camper notes, "Swimming pond and beach is clean but can get crowded on a busy weekend."

Hiking local trails: Lake Dennison Recreation Area provides excellent hiking opportunities directly from the campsites. According to a reviewer, "Great hiking right from the campsites" and another mentions that "There are ample trails for hiking and kids can ride their bikes."

Water sports: Lake Dennison is described as "perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing" by a visitor. The lake offers a small but serviceable beach area for campers. Another camper points out, "The lake is clean and the beach is clean and soft(ish)."

Mountain biking: Willard Brook State Forest provides mountain biking trails throughout its wooded terrain. A visitor mentioned, "The trails in the park are nice and well maintained," making it suitable for both beginner and intermediate riders.

Wildlife observation: Pearl Hill State Park offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. The campground includes a "nice big open field too with a few lawn games set up" according to one reviewer, providing spaces to watch for birds and other animals in their natural habitat.

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Monadnock State Park receives high marks for its secluded campsites. One camper reports, "This is one of the quietest and most peaceful campgrounds I've ever stayed at. The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly." Another visitor notes, "The campsites are large and wooded; I had a better view of the campsite across the road than the ones next door."

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities at campgrounds in the area. A visitor to Willard Brook State Forest commented, "This small state forest campground in north/central Massachusetts is just up the hill from Damon Pond...sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines."

Natural water features: Otter River State Forest has a small pond that draws positive reviews. A camper shared, "This campground is clean and well kept. Lots of families here. Swimming in a pond or a short drive to a bigger lake (camping pass covers both)."

Accessible hiking: The proximity to Mount Monadnock is a major draw. One reviewer wrote about Monadnock State Park, "Just a 2 mile drive to the Mt. Monadnock HQ & visitor center, and the $25 per night campsite fee includes a parking place to hike Monadnock."

What you should know

Site types and sizes: At Pearl Hill State Park, "There are some wonderful sites in this campground, but not all of them have privacy." For RVs, options are limited at many state parks: "You can get in here with a smaller RV, but the campground isn't built for larger units with the turns and curves."

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly during peak season. At Greenfield State Park, even during off-peak times, "We arrived after dark and our friends were able to pick up a parking pass for us ahead of time."

Water quality concerns: Water access can be affected by seasonal conditions. One camper noted, "When we went (July) the water was closed due to Cyanobacteria Blooms...it is disappointing to not be able to swim at the campers beach."

Insect preparation: Beyond mosquitoes, other insects can be an issue. A visitor to Pearl Hill warned, "Bring sandals for the shower as you may get tetanus," while another mentioned "deer flies are killer but a little smokey fire takes care of them."

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Friendly Beaver Campground offers extensive amenities for children. A family camper shared, "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."

Swimming alternatives: Lake Dennison Recreation Area provides family-friendly swimming. A visitor observed, "This is a gorgeous campground with clean facilities and responsive rangers...The lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing."

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas. At Monadnock State Park, a camper noted, "There is 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."

Site selection for families: Choose sites away from main roads for safety. At Greenfield State Park, a visitor recommended, "Sites are nice and the campground is nice and clean," but cautioned that some sites have better privacy than others.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: The Pine Campground accommodates smaller RVs but has limitations. A camper with a 25' travel trailer noted, "Staff assisted to guide us into our space. 25' travel trailer, full hookups. Lot 6, backs onto a little creek."

Hookup availability: Most state parks offer limited hookups. At Monadnock State Park, "Only 7 sites are suitable for a trailer/RV, 4 of them with electric hookups (add $10 to the site rate), but none with water."

Site leveling: State park campgrounds typically require some site preparation. An RVer at Lake Dennison mentioned, "Sites are wooded and shady and not RIGHT on top of each other, but pretty close together. The fire ring grill is NOT adjustable."

Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly. At Pearl Hill, a camper reported, "I lost cell coverage (Verizon) as I approached the campground, so you may want to ensure you have maps downloaded for offline use if you'll be out exploring. Once I got up the hill to the campground, however, I had decent coverage."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free or dispersed camping areas near New Ipswich?

While New Ipswich itself has limited free camping options, nearby areas offer some alternatives. Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston, MA is just across the Massachusetts border and provides affordable camping with some primitive sites. For those willing to venture a bit farther, Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire offers more remote camping experiences at reasonable rates. True dispersed camping is limited in this region due to land regulations, but budget-conscious campers can find walk-in tent sites at several state parks that offer more seclusion and lower fees than developed campgrounds. Always check with the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands for current regulations before attempting dispersed camping.

What are the best hiking trails near camping areas in New Ipswich?

The New Ipswich area offers excellent hiking opportunities near several campgrounds. Monadnock State Park with the Gilson Pond Campground provides access to Mount Monadnock's network of trails, including the popular White Dot and White Cross trails that lead to spectacular summit views. The 3,165-foot mountain is one of the most climbed in the world. Another great option is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, featuring diverse trails that wind through forests, around ponds, and up to a fire tower with panoramic views. The Boulder Field Trail is popular for rock scrambling enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of trail difficulties suitable for families, casual hikers, and experienced trekkers alike.

What camping options are available in New Ipswich, NH?

New Ipswich and the surrounding area offer several camping options. Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park is a family-friendly option with amenities and activities for all ages. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and has friendly staff. For those seeking a state park experience, Pillsbury State Park Campground is within driving distance, offering primitive camping without electric hookups. Most sites are accessible by car with lakefront options available. Other nearby options include Greenfield State Park and several private campgrounds that accommodate both tent campers and RVs. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer seasons.