The camping options surrounding Rindge, New Hampshire span across densely wooded terrain at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,300 feet. Winter temperatures typically dip below freezing from December through March, with summer highs averaging 70-85°F. Most camping areas near Rindge sit within the Monadnock Highlands region, characterized by abundant hardwood forests, granite outcroppings, and spring-fed ponds that create diverse microclimates for camping.
What to do
Hiking Mount Monadnock from multiple trailheads: Gilson Pond Area Campground at Monadnock State Park provides direct access to mountain trails. According to one visitor, "There's a long approach to Mt. Monadnock that leaves from the campground (Birchtoff), with shorter trails leaving from the State Park headquarters 2 miles down the road." Another camper adds, "The hiking is incredible, both from the site and by driving to the headquarters to park."
Paddling on local waterways: Lake Dennison Recreation Area offers excellent water sports options just 20 miles from Rindge. As one camper notes, "It is so convenient to camp right on the lake. We can drop our paddle boards in any time and explore the lake." Another visitor mentioned, "The lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. There are ample trails for hiking and kids can ride their bikes."
Tubing down the Ashuelot River: Ashuelot River Campground provides a unique river experience 25 miles northwest of Rindge. One visitor shared, "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other," while another mentioned, "Beautiful river to float down or paddle up. Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Gilson Pond Area Campground offers secluded camping surrounded by forest. One camper remarked, "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 noted, "The campsites are accessible by car but nice and secluded. You can hike the path to the mountain trailhead or drive over and park for the day."
Clean facilities throughout the area: Pearl Hill State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite its rustic setting. A camper observed, "This campground provides some great wooded camp sites. Some are larger than others and some are more private than others. There are two bathrooms centrally located - nice and clean." Another mentioned, "Bathrooms were clean and well stocked."
Waterfront camping options: Tully Lake Recreation Area features lakeside sites with immediate water access. According to one review, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out." Another camper added, "You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax. It's a beautiful area right in your own back yard."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most of the best places to camp near Rindge, New Hampshire operate within specific timeframes. The Pines Campground is one of the few year-round options, while places like Woodmore Family Campground run "Mother's Day through mid-October." Sites fill quickly during peak summer weekends.
Cell service variability: Coverage can be spotty across the region. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, "Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again." Verizon users report better coverage than other carriers.
Site accessibility differences: Many campgrounds have varied site access. At Tully Lake, "There's a canoe/kayak launch near the campground, so if you have a waterfront site you may choose to paddle your gear over. Some of the sites do not have waterfront access, however, and you'll definitely want to take advantage of the carts provided."
Insect preparedness essential: Bugs can be intense in summer months, particularly at water sites. One camper at Lake Dennison Recreation Area warned, "We camped here one night on a pit stop and it exceeded our expectations! We camped on the north shore; sites were big and offered immediate access to and view of the lake. However, there is limited privacy between sites."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities for hot days: Spacious Skies Seven Maples features excellent water facilities for children. A visitor shared, "The pool is amazing for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area. There's no life guard or staff monitoring the pool area so it did get a little too crazy at times for my little ones."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas, with Spacious Skies Seven Maples standing out. One family noted, "We loved being next to the large field and basketball court where we watched the kids play without having to worry where they disappeared to. The Grove and Hemlock Heights are particularly nice areas with more spacious, wooded and quiet sites."
Consider carry-in sites with young children: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, accessibility requires planning. A visitor cautioned, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night. Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site and neighboring campers."
Family-friendly programming: Some campgrounds offer specific activities. One camper at Otter River State Forest mentioned, "I stayed here in the summer of 2020. 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."
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: Most of the best places to camp near Rindge have size restrictions. Pearl Hill State Park Campground notes, "You can get in here with a smaller RV, but the campground isn't built for larger units with the turns and curves. They've only designated 3 sites for 35' rigs; everything else is 15-20'."
Power limitations at some sites: Electrical service varies across campgrounds. At Spacious Skies Seven Maples, one RVer reported, "Had issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities While my 20 amp designated outlet at home runs my entire camper with no issue."
Route planning essential: Covered bridges and narrow roads can create challenges. An RVer at Ashuelot River Campground advised, "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits."
