Camping options near Walpole, New Hampshire range from rustic state parks to full-service private campgrounds across the Connecticut River Valley region. This area sits at elevations between 200-1,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Fall foliage typically begins in late September with campgrounds experiencing frost by mid-October, significantly affecting seasonal availability.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Jamaica State Park offers access to Hamilton Falls via the West River Trail. "I love the area around Jamaica State Park and have stayed a few times! There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," notes one camper at Jamaica State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Pillsbury State Park, water activities dominate recreational options. "Kayaking on May Pond and discovering little islands and coves was a highlight. Super quiet, considerate campers," shares a visitor to Pillsbury State Park Campground. The park offers boat rentals during summer months.
Mountain climbing: Mount Monadnock provides challenging hiking with substantial elevation gain. A reviewer reports, "Monadnock State Park is a beautiful hiking adventure for families, beginners, and anyone looking for a fun weekend trip with amazing views. There are several lookouts on the journey to the summit, and the view from the top is amazing."
What campers like
Swimming spots: The region features several natural swimming areas. A camper at Tree Farm Campground notes, "Despite the highest temps VT had seen in a long time, it had well-maintained grounds and some cute activities for the younger kids. Even blueberry picking on site. The owners Ben and Elizabeth were super." Tree Farm Campground visitors often mention nearby Buttermere Falls as a swimming highlight.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Kampfires, a reviewer mentioned, "Campground is clean and has many extras - mini golf...pool...food truck...store...also has a large area where they have festivals. We were here when they had a food festival with live music. It was fun. They also have the cleanest and nicest shower you will find in a campground."
Private wooded sites: Separation between campsites creates a more secluded experience. "Small but well organized campground. The campsites are large and wooded; I had a better view of the campsite across the road than the ones next door," explains a visitor to Gilson Pond Area Campground.
What you should know
Limited cellular service: Communication can be spotty throughout the region. One camper at Woodmore Family Campground mentioned, "It's great, although I was leery because of the rules they are not strict at all, you have to follow the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly."
Primitive facilities at state parks: Several parks offer minimal amenities. A visitor to Pillsbury State Park explains, "This state park is a small and primitive one. It has less sites than a lot of the other ones. The sites on the water are really nice. Everything is cash here, no cards accepted except when reserving a site online."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for natural inhabitants. A camper at Kampfires observed, "What a wonderful campground. Even though it is off season, there are several units throughout but dispersed so no one was right next to us. The site was somewhat level with a gravel base. SURPRISE- when I went to hook up the water, a pile of fresh bear scat was right there! They did say there was wildlife in the area!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Sandy Beach Campground, a visitor commented, "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."
Educational wildlife opportunities: Chapman Acres provides unique wildlife viewing. "Two well stocked campsites. One is setup for tenting or an RV/Camper. Clean portable toilet for use, plenty of parking, hose for water and 2 kayaks at site one. A hidden path nearby brings you to a canopy covered swing that overlooks the pond," notes a visitor to Chapman Acres.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Several rv parks near Walpole, New Hampshire cultivate welcoming environments. "We tent camped here with 2 other families in the summer of 2019. Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park. We just bought a new RV and will be back," explains a visitor to Woodmore Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many Walpole area RV campgrounds have specific site challenges. At Dorset RV Park, one visitor noted, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop."
Seasonal site availability: Local RV parks near Walpole have various operating windows. At Sandy Beach Campground, a reviewer shared, "Small but well organized campground. TT members will find all the comforts of home. Staff is pleasant and helpful. Quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing."
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly at regional camping facilities. "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," mentioned a visitor to Dorset RV Park.
