Tent camping near West Swanzey, New Hampshire offers diverse experiences across a varied landscape with elevations ranging from 400-1,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summer nights averaging 60°F and cooler spring/fall nights often dropping to 40°F. Many campgrounds in this area restrict alcohol consumption and have quiet hours starting at 10pm.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers swimming directly from waterfront campsites. "We really enjoyed our stay and look forward to booking again soon! This was the trifecta for us, where we could fish, kayak, and swim!" according to Stacey W., who appreciated the combination of water activities available.
Paddling on calm waters: Barton Cove Campground provides canoe and kayak rentals with unique water access points. "There is 1 or 2 places to grab water so make sure to bring refillable containers. You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water)," notes Brie B., highlighting the rules around water access.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Zoar Outdoor, campers can access riverside trails and jumping rocks. "It's close to where locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side," writes Seth K., sharing insider knowledge about popular swimming spots that locals frequent.
Disc golf opportunities: Tully Lake features a course near the dam that receives steady use throughout summer. According to Jean C., "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity. We hiked the 4-mile loop around Tully Lake."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Maple Ridge Farm offers well-spaced campsites with natural buffers. "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," explains Les R., describing the transportation assistance provided.
Car-free camping experience: Tully Lake Recreation Area creates a quieter atmosphere through its walk-in design. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," shares Megan G., noting the family-friendly aspect of the car-free environment.
Remote backcountry options: Stratton Pond Shelter provides a true wilderness experience for experienced hikers. "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter," recounts Miccal M., detailing the winter hiking conditions.
Staff helpfulness: Camp hosts at many locations provide valuable local information. Dominick V. notes about Zoar Outdoor, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting. Amenities are well maintained."
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April), so you have to be on your game," advises Kris M. about securing spots at Tully Lake.
Equipment hauling requirements: Many campgrounds require gear to be carried or carted from parking areas. At Barton Cove Campground, Brie B. explains, "Only real annoyance was dealing with set up and take down of the campsite- you check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key, drive back to campground, walk to your site."
Limited facilities at remote sites: Bring essential supplies when camping at more primitive locations. Jean C. notes about Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Bring your own water. There is a composting toilet located near the group site in the field... Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Varying quiet atmospheres: Some campgrounds struggle with noise management on busy weekends. Lauren A. reports about Tully Lake, "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from water with young children: Waterfront sites require constant supervision. Miguel B. from Tully Lake Recreation Area advises, "The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea."
Plan for bathroom distance: Central facilities can be far from some campsites. "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," shares Lauren A., highlighting considerations for families with young children.
Bring bug protection: Summer months can be especially buggy in low-lying areas. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that's all I got for now," notes Sa R. about essential supplies for comfort during early summer camping.
Look for ranger programs: Some campgrounds offer educational activities. Nancy R. explains, "There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground."
