The Sunapee, New Hampshire region features rolling hills and numerous lakes at elevations ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with average summer temperatures between 65-80°F. Many campgrounds in this central New Hampshire region close after Columbus Day weekend due to colder temperatures and decreased tourism.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Jamaica State Park Campground offers access to the West River Trail, which follows a gravel closed road along the river. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," notes Chris D.
Swimming in natural waterways: Natural swimming spots are available at several campgrounds. At Crow's Nest Campground, "There's nice little swimming area on the river for kids. Close to the Sugar River Rail trail for biking," according to Michele S.
Family recreation areas: Campgrounds often include facilities for family activities. "Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park. We just bought a new RV and will be back," says Salvatore P. about Woodmore Family Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a priority. A visitor to Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park noted, "Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park."
Quiet atmosphere: Many visitors appreciate campgrounds that maintain peaceful environments. At Tree Farm Campground, one guest commented, "This campground is my new favorite. The owners, Liz and Ben, are super friendly, easy-going, and welcoming. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private."
Natural surroundings: Campers value sites that offer natural experiences. "Spacious, wooded sites, super clean...friendly, helpful owners and gorgeous setting! Lots to do too," says Amanda M. about Tree Farm Campground.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy: Site conditions vary significantly between campgrounds and even within the same property. At Crow's Nest Campground, "The river sites are pretty close together with little privacy," according to Brandon C., while Michele S. notes that "Sites 66 & 55 seemed to be the most private."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Sandy Beach Campground operates from "May 5 - Oct 10" according to their listing information.
Pet policies: Pet rules differ between facilities. Silver Lakes Park Campground does not permit pets, while Turtle Kraal RV Park is described as "pet friendly and well maintained" by Kirsten J.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water access: Sandy Beach Campground offers swimming areas appropriate for different ages. "We enjoyed our stay. The first site we got was way too small for our tent and they accommodated us and gave us a choice of two others to pick from. A lot of seasonal people but friendly. Playground is on the beach," reports Nicole.
Consider campgrounds with organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events for families. At Tree Farm Campground, a visitor mentioned they had "cute activities for the younger kids. Even blueberry picking on site."
Check recreation options: Facilities like pools and playgrounds can keep children entertained. "This is a very family friendly campground about an hour and a half north of Boston and about the same from the Whites. Kids can ride their bikes around both loops, walk the dogs, play cornhole or horseshoes," notes a Turtle Kraal reviewer.
Tips from RVers
RV site dimensions: Consider your vehicle size when selecting sites. At Newfound RV Park, a camper noted, "Our compacted ground site was level and had a dedicated patch of grass with a small tree. We personally felt that the sites were all well-spaced, we've been in campgrounds much, much closer."
Hookup availability: Most RV parks near Sunapee, NH offer full hookups, but amperage can vary. Riverbrook RV & Camping Resort provides "big-rig friendly sites with 50-amp electrical service and full hookups," according to their listing.
Internet access: For those needing connectivity while camping, consider options with reliable service. "I work remotely, so having internet access is mandatory, we were able to use our AT&T hotspot with decent service. That worked well enough for my needs, so I didn't test the onsite WiFi," shared a visitor to Newfound RV Park.
