The North Sutton camping area sits within central New Hampshire's rolling hills and woodlands, about 1,200 feet above sea level. This region experiences dramatic seasonal transitions, with spring camping often requiring thermal sleeping bags for overnight temperatures that can dip below 40°F even in May. Many campsites near North Sutton remain operational from late May through early October, though specific facilities and water access points may close earlier depending on seasonal conditions.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At Pillsbury State Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple interconnected ponds. A camper noted, "The park has great little ponds for exploring by kayak or canoe" with options for boat rentals available directly at the park office. Many paddlers report quiet mornings as the best wildlife viewing time.
Hiking connections: Pillsbury State Park Campground serves as an access point to the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. "There are great hikes that you can get to right from your campsite, connecting to the Monadnock-Sunapee greenway (a 48 mile trail connecting two of NHs beautiful mountains)," explains one visitor. The main trail is well-marked with white blazes.
Fishing spots: Sandy Beach Campground provides access to stocked fishing waters. According to a camper, "Playground is on the beach. They don't allow sparklers so that was a bummer on the 4th, but still got to see fireworks." Local waters typically contain bass and trout, with fishing licenses required for anyone 16 and older.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Sites along rivers and ponds rank consistently high in reviews. At Crow's Nest Campground, visitors appreciate "nice, quiet, shaded riverside sites." Another reviewer mentions, "The sites near the river were nice and quiet." These waterfront locations typically book first, often 3-4 months in advance.
Clean facilities: While amenities vary widely across camping options near North Sutton, cleanliness receives frequent mention. At Keyser Pond Campground, a visitor reports, "The bathroom was clean, but pretty cramped." Some campgrounds charge for showers ($0.25 for 5-8 minutes is standard).
Activity options: Family-friendly recreation opportunities exist at several locations. One camper at Loon Lake Campground noted, "Between the beach, the mini golf, playground, and an entire shed of recreation items available to use this place is amazing!" Most organized activities run on weekends, with fewer scheduled events midweek.
What you should know
Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds in the region feature closely spaced sites. At Northstar Campground, a reviewer mentioned they "think we should have been shifted over 1-2 sites to achieve what we asked for, but it was still a fun time down on the river." Sites along water features typically have less screening vegetation.
Toilet facilities vary: Bathroom quality differs significantly across campgrounds. One camper at Crow's Nest reported, "The biggest reason for 3 stars not 5 the outhouse was awful and non functional. If they do nothing else they need to address this." Several locations use pit toilets or portable facilities rather than flush toilets.
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds have a high percentage of seasonal residents. At Keyser Pond Campground, a visitor observed, "It seems like the majority of the sites are seasonals. The tent sites are wicked small, packed together and so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet." Weekend noise levels typically exceed midweek periods.
Tips for camping with families
Pond swimming considerations: When camping with children, check water conditions beforehand. At Spacious Skies French Pond, one camper noted, "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy." Another mentioned, "Swimming is available at sunapee unless you like leaches." Water temperatures typically remain cool until late June.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas, but quality varies. "The campground has a gravel area at the sites where the fire ring and picnic tables are. Where we parked our trailer was some gravel sand and dirt," reported a visitor at French Pond, adding that there was "a beach, playground, pool" available.
Noise considerations: Family-friendly campgrounds may have unexpected noise issues. A visitor to Keyser Pond Campground warned, "The tent sites are wicked small, packed together and so close to the highway you don't get an ounce of quiet." Sites further from main roads or recreation areas typically offer quieter environments.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should bring leveling blocks to most camping sites near North Sutton. A visitor at Sandy Beach Campground noted, "Small but well organized campground. TT members will find all the comforts of home." Some campgrounds offer gravel pads while others have mixed surfaces of "gravel, sand and dirt."
Dump station access: Facilities vary widely across campgrounds. One RVer commented about Northstar Campground, "Dump stations not in great locations though." Some locations charge fees for non-campers using dump facilities, with costs up to $40 at certain campgrounds.
Hookup reliability: Electrical service quality varies by location. At French Pond, a camper mentioned being "disappointed" when "asked about receiving compensation for services that we are paying for but aren't being provided" including cable and WiFi that weren't operational. Most sites offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability.
