Nottingham, New Hampshire offers diverse camping options at elevations between 200-500 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping options are limited with most campgrounds closing after October's first frost.
What to Do
Hiking Fire Tower Trails: Access excellent hiking at Bear Brook State Park Campground. "There are numerous trails call out for exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found," notes Jean C., who recommends downloading maps beforehand.
Kayaking and Canoeing: Wellington Camping Park provides river access for water activities. "The tent sites are set up right on the water. They also have a special beach for your dog if you're a puppy owner," according to Alley H., highlighting one of the dog-friendly campgrounds near Nottingham.
Mountain Biking: Explore extensive trail systems at Bear Brook State Park Campground. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and weren't disappointed. The biking trails were a blast," shares Eammon C., noting you can ride directly from campground to trails.
Beach Activities: Hampton Beach is accessible within 30 minutes of several campgrounds. "Sea Coast is very clean and well kept. Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants," explains Deb G., describing easy beach access options.
What Campers Like
Waterfront Access: Lakefront sites at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground are highly sought after. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" reports J L., emphasizing the popularity of these premium spots.
Spacious Campsites: Sites vary in size and privacy across the region. At Exeter Elms, Sara D. found "some big sites, family activities, playground, swimming pond that you can canoe in that looked fairly clean. Campsite was on a little creek."
Wildlife Viewing: Expect to encounter local fauna during your stay. Ellen C. from Pawtuckaway State Park recalls, "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub."
Camp Stores: Several campgrounds maintain well-stocked stores. "The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here," observed Susan B. about Pawtuckaway, while Anna C. noted their store carries "essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip."
What You Should Know
Variable Cell Coverage: Reception differs significantly between campgrounds. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, Ana reports "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," while Jean C. found "cell phone coverage varies from 1-2 bars, not always 4G, on Verizon" at Bear Brook.
Seasonal Restrictions: Campground facilities and rules change throughout the season. Randy R. notes pandemic-related changes at Bear Brook: "The bathrooms are family style. One family at a time. Check in is at the beginning of the 3-mile road to the campground and the camp store is a walk-up window only."
GPS Challenges: Navigation systems sometimes misdirect travelers. At Tuxbury Pond, Sara D. warns "if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions."
Site Selection Importance: Significant variation exists between sites at the same campground. Anna C. advises "Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground Access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Calef Lake Camping Area, Alyse-Beast F. describes "the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike. This is a yearly spot I take my family, and we're never disappointed!"
Entertainment Options: Many campgrounds schedule family activities. At Wellington, Alley H. mentions "They also have free DVD rentals for those rainy days and some games up by the office if you have kids."
Swimming Areas: Kid-friendly water access varies by location. Camie S. appreciates that Calef Lake has "a dog pond and the fishing was good there too," providing options for both children and pets.
Movie Nights: Some campgrounds offer evening entertainment. Sara D. found at Tuxbury Pond that when adult comedy shows were scheduled, "there was a children's movie being played on a big screen on the other side of the campground" as a family-friendly alternative.
Tips from RVers
Hookup Variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. At Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, Nancy W. reports "The park recently added new 50-amp full hook-up sites (some of which are pull-thrus) so there are plenty of options for big-rigs."
Water Quality: Water systems vary considerably. Chuck H. found "Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across" at Sea Coast Camping.
Site Leveling: Ground conditions affect setup ease. Jean C. observed at Bear Brook that "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size" and notes "If you are towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer... the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit."
Interior Roads: Campground navigation presents challenges. Harold C. found at Wellington that "sites are gravel and sand," while others noted tight turns and narrow passageways requiring careful maneuvering for larger rigs.
Guide
