Camping sites near Warner, New Hampshire offer a mix of state park and private facilities within New Hampshire's southern woods. The region sits at elevations between 300-800 feet with campgrounds nestled among rolling hills and small ponds. Most campgrounds in the area report heavy tick activity during spring and early summer months, requiring regular checks and preventative measures.
What to do
Water activities on smaller ponds: Pillsbury State Park Campground features multiple small ponds for paddling. "Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake," explains a visitor at Pillsbury State Park Campground. The park offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring.
Mountain biking access: Bear Brook State Park contains extensive trail networks. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast," notes one reviewer at Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Pond fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer pond fishing with various catch rates. "Fishing friendly and quiet campground," reports a camper about Pillsbury State Park. French Pond at Spacious Skies offers another option where "I had a view of the beautiful pond, which is really a lake, and wished I had more time to rent a kayak."
Archery practice: Bear Brook State Park provides specialized facilities not commonly found elsewhere. "There are two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing," explains a camper. These ranges offer a unique activity for campers seeking alternatives to hiking and water sports.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Greenfield State Park offers secluded camping spots. "Very large campground with lots of woods to block you from other campers. Dog friendly," writes one visitor to Greenfield State Park Campground. Many sites feature natural barriers between neighbors.
Multiple swimming options: Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out with numerous water features. "Very family centric, 7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)," notes a camper at Cold Springs Camp Resort.
Remote experience without long travel: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel while staying relatively close to towns. "Pillsbury State Park is a great place to get away from it all. There are great hikes that you can get to right from your campsite, connecting to the Monadnock-Sunapee greenway(a 48 mile trail connecting two of NHs beautiful mountains)," shares a visitor.
Clean facilities: Oxbow Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Tom takes great care to keep the grounds and the bathrooms/showers very clean. It is obvious he takes pride in ownership," notes a visitor to Oxbow Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds report spotty service. "Cell phone coverage varies from 1-2 bars, not always 4G, on Verizon," reports a camper at Bear Brook State Park. Another camper at Pillsbury notes: "Be prepared to not have much cell phone service either if you need thing while you're camping. If you have Verizon and you're at campsite 34 you can get a little service."
Variable shower facilities: Campgrounds offer different shower setups. "Showers are free" at Sandy Beach Campground according to one reviewer, while Bear Brook offers "coin-operated showers." Some report price differences between bathhouses within the same campground.
Ticks and insects: Many campgrounds report significant tick issues. At Autumn Hills Campground, a camper warns: "We have only one con about the grounds, there were a ton of ticks on the edge of the site." Another camper at Pillsbury warns about water conditions: "Swimming in the stream is safe but the lake is loaded with leeches!"
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds fill quickly in peak season while others remain available. "The sites are super private, the rangers are friendly, and the mosquitoes are ferocious," reported one camper about a nearby state park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity considerations: Choose sites based on noise preferences. At Bear Brook, one camper advises: "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Swimming options for different ages: Sandy Beach Campground offers designated areas. "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," notes one visitor. Others mention that "Playground is on the beach" which can be convenient for families.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events. "We enjoyed our stay... A lot of seasonal people but friendly. Playground is on the beach. They don't allow sparklers so that was a bummer ok the 4th, but still got to see fireworks," shares a family camper.
Advance planning for holiday weekends: Holiday weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. Cold Springs reports that "We went for halloween weekend in August and their haunted house was incredible for a campground!" These themed weekends require advance booking.
Tips from RVers
Site entry challenges: Several campgrounds have tight access roads. At Autumn Hills, one RVer reports: "Sites are very small, and extremely close together. My 28 foot travel trailer barely fit into the site."
Limited full-hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer complete RV services. "There are spots for campers but smaller ones, and there are a few outhouses but no bathhouse," notes a camper at Pillsbury State Park.
Seasonal options: Many RVers opt for seasonal arrangements. At Keyser Pond, a visitor observed: "The campground is a little run down and disheveled looking, with a lot of long-termers, some with hard PVC sewer piping from their RVs." Another visitor noted: "It seems like the majority of the sites are seasonals."
