Camping near Rollinsford, New Hampshire offers year-round options with some locations providing winterized cabins despite the region's average January temperatures of 21°F. Most campgrounds within a 30-mile radius sit at elevations between 20-200 feet, offering relatively level terrain suitable for various camping setups. Cell service improves at higher elevation sites where Verizon typically provides the most consistent coverage throughout the camping season.
What to do
Kayaking on nearby ponds: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground features excellent water recreation options about 25 miles from Rollinsford. "This a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," notes Matt R.
Beach exploration within 30 minutes: Sun Outdoors Wells Beach provides convenient access to coastal activities. A camper mentioned, "Wells Beach is great and a bike ride away. Love this place," making it ideal for those seeking ocean access from their campsite near Rollinsford, New Hampshire.
Mini golf and go-karts: Family entertainment options abound near Thousand Trails Moody Beach, where "There are activities and food within walking distance. The mini golf and go cart place has bright lights in their parking area," according to Laura C., offering evening entertainment options after a day outdoors.
Wildlife observation: Early morning hours yield the best wildlife viewing opportunities. "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird," reports one visitor to Wakeda Campground, noting the diverse wildlife present in the wooded areas surrounding many local camping facilities.
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: Libbys Oceanside Camp offers premium oceanfront sites with remarkable views. "This campsite has a great view over the ocean towards the lighthouse. The site is very tidy and toilets clean! Everything you would need available," notes Olaf.
Island camping experiences: At Pawtuckaway State Park, campers particularly value the island sites. "In 2018 we stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake and are situated right across from the bath/shower," shares Ellen C.
Wooded privacy: Wakeda Campground receives praise for its natural setting and spacious sites. "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere," notes a camper, highlighting the privacy that many sites provide compared to more open camping areas.
Well-stocked camp stores: Convenience matters for many visitors to campgrounds near Rollinsford. "The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here," mentions Susan B. about Pawtuckaway State Park, appreciating not having to leave the grounds for basic supplies or recreation equipment.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the area operate between May and October, with peak season occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day. "We came in in October, the foliage is beautiful on the 'wooded' sites. There are new sites with gravel and no trees as well," reports Kasey M. about seasonal considerations at Moody Beach.
Advance reservations required: For waterfront sites specifically, planning ahead is essential. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" notes J L. about Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Pet policies vary significantly: Some state parks have seasonal restrictions on pets. "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess," mentions Erin W. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Shower facilities often require quarters: "Bathrooms are modern and spotless. Owners on site are wonderful," notes Pat about Beaver Dam Campground, while other reviews mention coin-operated showers at several facilities, typically costing $0.50 for a 5-minute shower at most campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access options: Beaver Dam Campground offers water recreation suited for families. "The beach and pool are small and quiet. Baths are new and clean," reports Constance S., mentioning facilities that work well for families with younger children.
Themed weekend activities: Special programming keeps children entertained at many campgrounds. "Have fun themed weekends that both the kids and adults participate in!! Nice pool area where the sun hits all day! Big field area for playing games!" explains a camper about Lazy Frog Campground.
Water recreation safety: When camping with children near water features, supervision remains important. "Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," notes Susan B. about Pawtuckaway State Park, indicating family-friendly water conditions without motorboat hazards at some locations.
Playground facilities: When selecting a family-friendly campsite, consider recreational amenities. "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," mentions Marianne O. about Wakeda Campground, which also offers miniature golf and other family activities.
Tips from RVers
Power reliability varies: Several campgrounds mention electrical capacity limitations. "We have a 50 amp unit but reduced down to 30 amp (30 was the only option). We always use a surge protector. Once the weekend campers arrived our surge protector kept tripping due to low voltage," shares J B. about Lazy Frog Campground.
Site sizing considerations: RV campers should verify site dimensions before booking. "The 30 amp sites are very close together. The campground layout is quite unusual, with campers parked lengthwise along the road," notes Arno W. about Thousand Trails Moody Beach, highlighting spatial constraints.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry points. "Driveway is hard to see and difficult to get in and out of," warns Constance S. about Beaver Dam Campground, suggesting caution for those with larger rigs navigating local roads.
Site surface variability: Understanding the ground conditions helps with leveling and setup. "The sites are level and roomy. The bathroom was clean," reports Susan B. about camping at Pawtuckaway, noting the terrain quality important for RV stability.
