Camping spots near Sandown, New Hampshire range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV accommodations within a 15-mile radius. Situated in Rockingham County, Sandown sits at an elevation of approximately 250 feet with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping options remain limited with most facilities closing between late October and early May due to freezing temperatures and snow accumulation.
What to do
Hiking at Bear Brook State Park: The largest developed state park in New Hampshire offers over 40 miles of trails through 10,000 acres of forest preserve. Bear Brook State Park Campground maintains well-marked paths suitable for all skill levels. "The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites," notes one visitor.
Kayaking on Pawtuckaway Lake: Paddle through scenic waterways with rental equipment available on-site. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides easy water access from waterfront sites. A camper reports, "This a 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."
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and lakes in the region support diverse fish populations. Tuxbury Pond offers seasonal fishing access, though water conditions vary. "The pond unusable, loud, dusty, golf cart speedway for seasonal campers, smelly (sewer)," warns one visitor about conditions to check before planning a fishing trip.
Beach swimming: Sandy beaches provide summer swimming options at multiple locations. "The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," shares a Pawtuckaway visitor about the swimming facilities.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Prime lakeside locations offer immediate water access and views. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" explains a Pawtuckaway State Park camper. Reservations for waterfront sites typically require booking 6+ months in advance for summer weekends.
Campground activities: Many facilities offer organized recreation options. Exeter Elms Campground provides structured entertainment for families. "Adult bingo every Friday, DJ for kids every Saturday," notes one camper about the regular schedule.
Forest privacy: Wooded sites with natural separation appeal to many campers seeking seclusion. "Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, the campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization. We stayed on site 22, which was spacious and private from the other sites on either side," reports a Bear Brook visitor.
Seasonal atmosphere: Many campgrounds maintain a community feel with returning campers. "We have been camping here for many years. The staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The campground and bathrooms are kept very clean," explains a visitor to Wakeda Campground.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Significant variation exists between sites at the same campground. "They originally booked us on a site so small, our tent wouldn't even fit so we weren't going to be able to have a fire because our tent was so close to it. Went to the desk and they switched us to a different site a couple sites down that was much larger," recounts a camper at Calef Lake Camping Area.
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and cleanliness of facilities fluctuate by location and season. "The bath and shower house was well maintained and a short walk from 22," notes one Bear Brook visitor, while another campground reviewer mentions, "It was the final weekend of the season, so that may explain the lack of attention to cleaning and upkeep of the restrooms."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. "Chosen because I travel with dogs. Didn't check out facilities other than bathrooms (clean and convenient). Like it very much for the kind of use I need," explains a Bear Brook camper who used the campground as a convenient stopover location.
Seasonal restrictions: Several facilities limit certain activities during specific times. "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," notes a Pawtuckaway visitor about pet policies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Wakeda Campground provides family-friendly recreation options. "Cute little campground about a mile from the beach. Clean and friendly staff. Kid friendly," mentions a visitor about the overall atmosphere.
Swimming options: Several locations feature swimming areas with varying amenities. "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," cautions a Pawtuckaway visitor about peak season conditions.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer ranger-led programs about local wildlife and ecology. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," shares a visitor about Harold Parker State Forest's educational offerings.
Entertainment schedule: Check campground activity calendars when planning stays with children. "The kids were given a lot of grace and hung out in the grill/game room area for hours on end to use the wi-fi," reports a visitor to Hidden Valley RV Park about amenities available for teenagers.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Site layouts may present connection challenges. Beach Rose RV Park offers concrete pad sites with full hookups. "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric," explains one RVer about accommodating connection issues.
Site dimensions: RV sites vary significantly in size between campgrounds. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," notes a Wakeda Campground visitor, while another camper at Beach Rose RV Park mentions, "It's a 50 site campground and built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots."
Dump station access: Not all facilities offer on-site waste disposal. "Good sites, with water and 30 amp electric. Easy walk to the beach. Dog friendly, big dump site, and good prices," notes a visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation about available RV services.
Reservation restrictions: Some campgrounds limit certain RV types or sizes. "The camping pads and roads in the park are paved. We camped at a non-peak time so the park was not very crowded but we can image it being quite different in the summer," reports a Salisbury Beach visitor about seasonal crowding conditions.
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