Camping sites near Plainfield, New Hampshire sit along the Connecticut River Valley, with many locations positioned at elevations between 400-1,500 feet above sea level. The camping season runs shorter than southern New England regions, typically opening in early May and closing by mid-October due to earlier frost conditions. The area experiences temperature ranges of 75-85°F during summer days with nighttime temperatures often dropping to 50-60°F.
What to do
Kayak the Connecticut River: Wilgus State Park Campground offers direct river access with kayak and canoe rentals available. "Nice group camping area on Connecticut River with tent and lean to options. Ranger Eric and staff were awesome," notes one camper.
Explore mountain biking trails: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains dedicated trails for cyclists of varying skill levels. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," explains a visitor.
Visit historic sites: The President Calvin Coolidge Homestead is located near Coolidge State Park. "Make sure you visit Calvin Coolidge's historic home not far from the park," advises a regular camper who appreciates the area's historical significance.
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming areas provide relief during summer months. One camper at Crown Point Camping Area highlights, "They have a lagoon for swimming and a children's playground. Hiking trails nearby. Canoes for rent."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Coolidge State Park Campground receives praise for its site spacing. "It was a very quiet location. There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained," reports a recent visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is consistently mentioned across multiple campgrounds. A Quechee State Park visitor noted, "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping."
Mountain vistas: Several campgrounds offer exceptional views, particularly from strategic locations. "The prime lean tos have great views. Sites for tents offer some set away but further from water and toilet," explains a Coolidge State Park camper.
Access to water activities: Wilgus State Park Campground provides direct access to water recreation. "The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream," a regular visitor mentions.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. "Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year," notes one experienced camper.
Reservation requirements: Advance planning is essential, particularly for premium sites. "The sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters. There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV," explains a Quechee State Park Campground visitor.
Road noise concerns: Highway proximity affects some locations. "The road nearby is noisy. Because of its location, you can hear both the local highway and I91. If being in the quiet wilderness is important to you, than this campground might not work out," cautions a Mount Ascutney camper.
Weather variability: Conditions can change rapidly, even in summer. "Our trip was a bit 'dampened' by an extremely rainy Memorial Day weekend, but what we did see was beautiful," shares one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Quechee-Pine Valley KOA offers organized programming for children. "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," reports a satisfied parent.
Swimming locations: Designated swimming areas provide safe recreation options. "We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids, rented kayaks and fished from the boat launch. There is a great local pond for swimming that had dive docks, diving boards and lifeguards on duty that was less than 10 minutes away," notes a Wilgus State Park visitor.
Recreation fields: Some campgrounds feature open play areas. One visitor to Tree Farm Campground reports, "As a bonus, it even had direct access down a path to a large recreation field that included a volleyball net. Our children and their friends loved biking around the field and exploring it while waiting for meals."
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfortable options. "The lean to was very clean, and recently painted. It had ample room for 6, and could fit 8 as well. The lean tos come with a bench that can be used inside, or out by the fire which was a nice touch," explains a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have uneven terrain. "It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into," cautions a Quechee State Park RVer.
Limited hookups: Most state parks offer minimal RV services. "There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV. They also have several lean tos that you can rent," explains a regular camper.
Access considerations: Good Night Moon Vintage offers vintage trailers as an alternative to bringing your own RV. "The trailer is very clean and the communal kitchen area is well appointed. Juli and Jim go out of their way to make everything awesome," reports a recent visitor.
Road navigation: Some roads to campgrounds can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The campground has two distinct loops. Our site was situated under large pine and hemlock trees, with some small deciduous trees mixed in," notes one camper, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites for larger rigs.
