Camping in the Sanbornton area places visitors near New Hampshire's Lakes Region where White Mountain foothills meet Lake Winnipesaukee. Nestled at elevations ranging from 500-900 feet, this region experiences typical New England seasonal variations with warm summers and cold winters. Campsites around Sanbornton typically open from May through mid-October, with some locations offering extended seasons for cold-weather enthusiasts.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access multiple difficulty levels at Bear Brook State Park Campground where visitors can explore over 10,000 acres of forested land. "There are numerous trails calling out for exploration, around ponds and up and down hills, with geocaches to be found," notes Jean C. The park also offers "two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing."
Winter camping options: For cold-weather glamping close to Sanbornton, New Hampshire, Meredith Woods Four Season Camping provides year-round access. "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day," writes Mara S. The campground maintains heated facilities even during winter months, with "utility sink for dishes available in heated bathhouse."
Water activities: Float downstream at Plymouth Sands Camping Area. "My favorite activity was putting in a couple miles up river and floating back to camp over the course of a few hours, ultimate lazy river," reports Eddy B. The campground features "a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim" when water levels permit.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Visitors at Long Island Bridge Campground appreciate the lakeside setting. "Campground is right on the lake, very clean, pet friendly, employees are great," writes Austin M. Families particularly value "lots of space for my kids to run around" according to Aliceon W.
Family-friendly amenities: Families camping at White Lake State Park Campground enjoy accessible swimming areas. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids," explains Jean C. Additional features include "a nice beach and a trail that goes around the entire small lake" according to Carolyn M.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note well-maintained bathrooms at several locations. One visitor at White Lake State Park observed the "bathrooms were nice and clean" while Douglas L. found "bathrooms we're clean and we'll stocked. The beach was clean and had lots of ducks swimming near by."
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Many campgrounds in the region place sites close together. At White Lake State Park, "sites are close together. There are no hookups, but there is running water and a dump station is available," reports Jean C. Site selection matters as "most of the sites are reservable online, some of them are held back for walk-ins."
Seasonal population changes: Baker River Campground and others experience significant weekend population increases. A reviewer noted, "During the week, the campground was quiet, but it got crowded on the weekends with seasonal campers and tent setups closer to the river." Many locations also have permanent seasonal residents.
Water quality considerations: Lake water conditions can vary throughout the season. One camper reported, "The lake water was deemed too high in bacteria to swim in while we were there," though they noted many people still chose to swim. Check with campground offices for current water quality reports before planning water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Plan around bathroom locations: When selecting sites with children, consider proximity to facilities. At White Lake State Park, one parent shared, "I had a site next to the bathroom, which was very helpful and I felt confident letting my children go to the bathroom alone." Bathroom proximity can significantly improve the camping experience with young children.
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly play areas. At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, families enjoy "a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent." The convenience store at the campground has "essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip."
Check age restrictions: Some facilities limit access based on age. One camper at Meredith Woods noted, "the age limit for hot tub is 14 YO and strictly enforced," which can affect activity planning. Additionally, some campgrounds restrict pets during peak summer months, with one visitor mentioning they "don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. At Bear Brook State Park, "mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size." Some sites feature tight access roads where "the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit" even with smaller trailers.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites exist but aren't universal. At Ellacoya State Park Campground, campers appreciate "full hookups (W,E,S) at each site" and note that "sites are level and mostly grassy" making setup easier. Sites are often "more spacious than some RV campgrounds we've been at."
Generator restrictions: Check campground rules regarding generator use. One camper at Meredith Woods noted their neighbor "ran his generator ALL.NIGHT.LONG the first night, but a ranger spoke with him the next day and he shut it off." Most campgrounds have designated hours for generator operation, typically during early evening hours.
