Camping options near Walpole, New Hampshire range from riverside sites to mountain forest settings. Located at approximately 850 feet elevation, the region experiences warm summer days with cooler nights, making it an ideal place for outdoor recreation from late spring through early fall. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing, limiting most campgrounds to seasonal operation from May through October.
What to do
River activities: Float the Ashuelot River for a relaxing outdoor experience. At Ashuelot River Campground, you can enjoy multiple water activities. "We brought our kayaks and had no problem kayaking on the flat surface river," notes Karen O., while another visitor mentions seeing "a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground."
Hiking trails: Access rail trails and nature paths directly from campgrounds. At Molly Stark State Park Campground, the trails connect to additional outdoor options. "The trails from the park connect to the Hogback Mountain Conservation area trails, so there are actually many miles of trails you can explore without having to drive anywhere," reports one camper. Another mentions that "you can continue on the hiking trail to a cute brewery/pizza place or even a distillery."
Swimming: Cool off in natural swimming areas during summer months. Emerald Lake State Park offers unique water recreation with "turquoise water" that's "a dream to cool off in." A visitor noted, "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing."
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots along waterways. At Quechee State Park Campground, "many sites are large and private" according to campers. "We recommend site 11 or the BIRCH lean to as the 2 most spacious and/or secluded sites," advises Chris A., who appreciated that "everyone respects the quietness."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the well-maintained bathrooms at many campgrounds. Woodford State Park stands out with "the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen" according to Jenny A. Another visitor noted that "bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price" and mentioned "a beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it."
Variety of accommodation types: Beyond glamping near Walpole, New Hampshire, options include tent sites, RV hookups, cabins and lean-tos. Emerald Lake State Park Campground offers "three camping loops" with diverse sites. One visitor reported: "Leantos at this state park give you protection from the elements - mind you not all sites have a leanto." Another camper shared: "Larchmont is our favorite camp site. It is much larger than most sites, a short walk to the showers and a bit tucked away for privacy."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October. Crows Nest Campground runs from "Mid May to Mid Oct" while others typically open "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant differences between sites. At Emerald Lake, "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids. If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge."
Road noise: Several campgrounds are located near highways. At Quechee State Park, "the campground is not too far off route 4 and you may hear cars/trucks." Another camper mentioned that Woodford is "on Route 9 so not the quietest campground, but there are back sites that offer some more privacy if wanted."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific features for children. Oxbow Campground has "a pond for swimming, playground, free paddle boats, a recreational hall with a pool table & video games." One visitor reported, "The fishing pond was perfect" and another mentioned, "Plenty of bathrooms throughout campground and sites are not expensive to reserve."
Consider ranger programs: State parks often provide activities for children. At Quechee State Park, "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)."
Select sites carefully: Some campgrounds are more family-friendly than others. Woodford State Park Campground is described as "perfect for families!" with "tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins." One visitor noted it offers "a nice grassy area on the water that's dog-friendly, and a separate little no-dog swimming and paddle boat area."
Tips from RVers
Check access routes: Several campgrounds have access challenges for larger rigs. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," warns John L. about Ashuelot River Campground. Another visitor mentioned, "Shortly after arrival, Chuck stopped by to ensure we were settling in and if we needed anything. Highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross - we discovered this the hard way."
Site leveling considerations: Not all sites accommodate large RVs equally. One camper at Crow's Nest reported, "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift)." Meanwhile, at Quechee State Park, a visitor noted the sites "seem to accommodate big rigs rather well. We have seen all shapes and sizes come and go."
Hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services. Many state parks have no hookups but provide dump stations. At Ashuelot River Campground, sites offer "water and 30amp" while private campgrounds typically provide more services.
