Pawtuckaway State Park and Bear Brook State Park campgrounds provide tent camping, RV sites, and wilderness-adjacent cabin options within 20 miles of Raymond, New Hampshire. The region sits in the Merrimack Valley watershed with elevations ranging from 200-350 feet, creating terrain that alternates between small hills and wetland areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during peak camping season while spring and fall bring wider temperature swings between 45-70°F with increased precipitation.
What to do
Mountain biking on extensive trail networks: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers over 40 miles of biking trails. One visitor noted, "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast."
Fishing in multiple ponds and lakes: Fish for bass and panfish at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, where waterfront sites provide direct lake access. A camper mentioned, "The sites are level and roomy. The bathroom was clean. The walk to the beach was along a public parking lot. The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake."
Hiking to scenic fire towers: The hiking trails at Pawtuckaway lead to multiple geological features and viewpoints. According to a visitor, "Excellent hiking, beach, wildlife-filled wetlands, girding, geology, forests, and water to enjoy. Pretty serious trail up and around some mountains, to a fire tower, ponds."
Swimming at developed beach areas: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas with sand beaches. At Bear Brook State Park Campground, "The swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers. I also liked the sites across from ours near the ball field and thought they would make a nice place for a large group of friends to pitch their tents."
What campers like
Waterfront sites with direct lake access: Many campers praise the waterfront camping spots at Pawtuckaway State Park. A camper shared, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!"
Private wooded sites with natural separation: Wakeda Campground offers tree-lined sites with natural screening. A camper observed, "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere. They offered electric, water, and sewer hook up, trading post that had camping goods and snacks, WiFi hotspot, pool table, and lounging area."
Well-maintained bathrooms and facilities: Cleanliness stands out as a priority at Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort. One visitor stated, "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. Wifi service was excellent."
Proximity to beaches and coastal areas: Locations within driving distance to New Hampshire's coastline offer additional recreation options. A reviewer at Sea Coast noted, "Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."
What you should know
Reservation requirements and timing: Reserve waterfront sites months in advance. One Pawtuckaway visitor advised, "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... but all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!"
Weekend crowds and noise levels: Some campgrounds experience high traffic during peak season. A camper at Pawtuckaway observed, "This campground is beautiful and in a nice location in the state park but is really crowded in the summer months with large groups of loud children."
Seasonal pet restrictions: Check pet policies before booking as they vary significantly. According to one camper at Calef Lake Camping Area: "We had such a fun time and our dog loves it! The only bad part is we were very far from the bathrooms and tons of mosquitoes."
Weather considerations: New Hampshire's summer weather can be unpredictable. A Pawtuckaway visitor recounted, "In 2013 site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with an unexpected 36 hour downpour and there was only one suitable spot for our tent since the terrain is very rocky."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Winding River Campground, a visitor noted, "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great and there were great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music."
Beach areas with swimming access: Family-friendly swimming spots provide entertainment for children. A visitor to Calef Lake Camping Area shared, "Small campground but we had fun here. Small lake to swim in and a small playground. They had a beach dance which was really fun."
Spacious sites for family setup: Look for sites with enough room for multiple tents. At Bear Brook, one camper explained, "I also liked the sites across from ours near the ball field and thought they would make a nice place for a large group of friends to pitch their tents (Sites 31, 32, 33, 34)."
Weekend activities and events: Many campgrounds schedule family programs on weekends. A Winding River camper mentioned, "There were great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music to name a few. Staff were friendly and helpful."
Tips for RVers
Site access considerations: Pay attention to site dimensions and access roads. At Bear Brook, a visitor cautioned, "I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner."
Hookup placement variations: Be prepared for different hookup configurations. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, a camper shared, "We stayed here for a week, our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together."
Seasonal sites vs. transient areas: Many campgrounds have separate sections. A camper at Sea Coast noted, "Half of the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients. The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. One Bear Brook visitor mentioned, "There are no hookups, but there is running water and a dump station is available. Bathhouses offer coin-operated showers."
