Best Campgrounds near West Nottingham, NH

Camping near West Nottingham, New Hampshire encompasses a mix of wooded state parks and family-friendly campgrounds set among the region's lakes and forests. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, located in Nottingham, serves as the area's primary camping destination with 192 wooded sites along Pawtuckaway Lake. Bear Brook State Park Campground in nearby Deerfield offers another significant option as New Hampshire's largest state park, featuring multiple ponds, extensive trail systems, and diverse camping opportunities. Both parks accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabin rentals, with varying levels of amenities and access to water recreation.

Most campgrounds in the West Nottingham area operate seasonally from May through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when facilities often reach capacity. Pawtuckaway State Park is open May 1 through October 31, while Bear Brook operates from early May through late October. Cell service can be limited in these wooded areas, with Verizon users reporting 1-2 bars in most locations. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms and moderate humidity. Bug spray is essential, particularly for mosquitoes in early summer.

State park campgrounds in the region provide varying levels of amenities, from basic sites with picnic tables and fire rings to those with access to bathhouses with showers. According to reviews, Bear Brook State Park offers "mostly level sites under towering pines" with facilities for families including playgrounds, beaches, and hiking trails. Pawtuckaway State Park features waterfront sites where campers can "easily slip boats into the lake," though these premium locations cost slightly more. Both parks have restrictions on pets during peak season, with most prohibiting dogs between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Private campgrounds in the area, such as Wellington Camping Park and Barrington Shores Campground, typically offer more amenities including full hookups for RVs, Wi-Fi access, and extended seasonal availability.

Best Camping Sites Near West Nottingham, New Hampshire (200)

    1. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Raymond, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 895-3031

    $35 - $140 / night

    "Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."

    "My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone."

    2. Bear Brook State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Candia, NH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 485-9869

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."

    "Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."

    3. Old Stage Campground

    9 Reviews
    Madbury, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 742-4050

    $43 - $47 / night

    "Walking distance to rest rooms and showers. Great owners. 1st trip in a hurricane."

    "Learning to get away from the bad campers."

    4. Wellington Camping Park

    5 Reviews
    Lee, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 659-5051

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Had to walk around to find signal for phone call."

    "Sites are wide I parked my truck next to camper and still had enough space for a safe fire in the pit."

    5. Epsom Valley Campground

    7 Reviews
    Epsom, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 736-9758

    $35 - $165 / night

    "I enjoyed the hiking trails in the back and a pretty good amount of things to do near by. Being able to walk to a store and restaurant is great."

    "We only wanted to stay for one and when we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing!"

    6. Barrington Shores Campground

    4 Reviews
    Barrington, NH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 664-9333

    "Lots of things to do in surrounding towns and easy access to the river."

    7. Wakeda Campground, LLC

    16 Reviews
    Exeter, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 772-5274

    $48 - $97 / night

    "We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."

    "Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."

    8. Lazy River Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Epsom, NH
    13 miles
    +1 (603) 798-5900

    $26 - $30 / night

    "Saturday rolled around and some noisier guests came in for the night, they were several sites away and sounded like they were having a great time, didn't bother us."

    "The family will definitely be making a few return trips, especially with the reasonable drive from the boston area to the grounds."

    9. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages

    2 Reviews
    Barrington, NH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 332-5940

    "Ayers lake campground in New Hampshire is a well kept secret. Small and family owned and operated, this campground offers some of the greatest vistas of a small New Hampshire pond we have seen."

    "On lake site. Great management and owner."

    10. Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA

    7 Reviews
    Rochester, NH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 339-9465

    "We were able to book last minute and got a great tenting site, next to a running river that was great to sleep to. Very buggy, but it's outside, what do you expect?"

    "Staff was very friendly and extremely cautious about their surroundings. Plenty of things to do to stay busy during the rainy days."

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Recent Reviews near West Nottingham, NH

929 Reviews of 200 West Nottingham Campgrounds


  • Julie A.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp Resort, Lakes Region

    Downhill since new management

    Yogi’s Jellystone Park– Milton, New Hampshire: Seasonal Camper Review I have been camping at Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton for five years, including the last two as a seasonal camper. Unfortunately, my recent experiences under new management have been disappointing and frustrating. Pet Fence Policy and Safety Concerns
At the start of this season, the new general manager, Amanda, instructed me to remove my pet fence, citing liability issues. Despite my having signed a waiver absolving the park of responsibility for my dog’s actions, she insisted on its removal without providing a clear explanation. I complied reluctantly, only to observe many other campsites retaining similar pet fences throughout the season, including one seasonal camper who kept theirs up all season and transient sites with fences as well. This inconsistent enforcement of rules is unfair and undermines trust. After seeing others with pet fences, I reinstated mine to protect my dog, especially after two incidents where loose dogs entered my site and charged at my dog. Amanda then threatened me with non-renewal of my seasonal contract if I did not remove the fence again, forcing me to comply once more. I wrote to corporate regarding this issue since Amanda was of no help but never heard back from corporate. Loss of Seasonal Site and Corporate Decisions
Yogi’s removed nine seasonal sites this year, including mine, with little warning. This decision affects long-term campers, some with over 20 years of history at the park. It appears motivated by corporate interests, favoring transient sites or cabins, which generate more revenue. The loss of a seasonal site after investing time, effort, and money into making it beautiful is deeply disheartening and reflects poor management priorities. Entertainment and Atmosphere
Adult entertainment offerings have drastically declined. This year’s highlight was a 30-minute Saturday night hayride, with no live bands in the pavilion throughout the entire season. Under previous management, live music was a regular and enjoyable feature. The lack of engaging activities diminishes the overall campground experience. Myself and other campers offered suggestions to management regarding entertainment for adults but they didn't take any of our suggestions. Bear Interaction
Despite the park’s theme, sightings of Yogi Bear are rare. On one occasion, a golf cart carrying excited children stopped to see Yogi Bear, but the character ignored them and drove past without interaction, which was very disappointing. Management and Staff Attitude
Amanda, the general manager, presents as unapproachable and aloof. She did not introduce herself to seasonal campers at the beginning of the season, many of whom do not even know what she looks like and the camping season ends in just a couple of weeks. Most staff members also exhibit a snobbish attitude, often failing to acknowledge campers, which creates an unwelcoming environment. Cost and Recommendation
The campground is overpriced relative to the quality of experience and level of service provided. Given the inconsistent rule enforcement, loss of seasonal sites, diminished entertainment, and poor management attitude, I cannot recommend Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton NH Those interested in a Yogis campground should consider other locations.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Only a 4 because of out of stater price

    Campsites are close together, but the beach is amazing. Especially in the off season.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    Great stop

    Lovely campground. Clean, good WiFi. Kind campers. Will be back

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Meredith Woods Four Season Camping

    Now called HUNTERS RUN Rv Park

    Good spot, lots of seasonal campers, new corporate owners and it’s named Hunter’s Run RV Park. Combined with another campground across the street. Called for reservations and staff helpful once they answered. Store and office hours are erratic. FireWood supply “iffy” so brought some locally sourced food. Camped at Lakeside area.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Clearwater Campground

    Now Hunter’s Run RV Park

    This is now called Hunter’s Run. Many seasonal campsites more than half the campground. Good site spacing. Store only open limited hours and staff on site only limited hours. Probably due to new corporate owners. Very quiet off season and during the week. No wood available during our visit, 2 bundles locked in cage area but nobody around to purchase from. Bathhouses and showers very clean at lakeside section of campground. Nice clean beach area at the lake. Looks like kayak and canoe rentals. This is on south side of NH route 104 which is a busy road. Some road noise noticed from our location near the lake. Gravel/dirt sites with fire pits ( rocks ) and picnic table. Called office to arrange for site and they called back. Staff very helpful to find a good site and making reservations.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    York Beach Camper Park

    Hideaway

    Don’t let the entrance turn you off. Once you get back into the campgrounds, it’s so cute. You are nestled in the woods. You feel like you are in the Forest but so close to the ocean. It’s calm and peaceful. The owners are so friendly and kind.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Beach Rose RV Park

    Nice park

    Owners were helpful on arrival, level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet.


Guide to West Nottingham

The camping areas near West Nottingham, New Hampshire benefit from the region's diverse terrain, with elevations ranging from 250 to 550 feet above sea level across the area's rolling hills and waterways. Most campsites near West Nottingham sit on sandy, well-draining soil, which provides comfortable tent platforms during summer months when temperatures typically range between 55-80°F with occasional evening temperature drops into the 40s during late spring and early fall.

What to do

Floating and canoeing: Lazy River Family Campground lives up to its name with tubing opportunities on the Suncook River. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind," notes a visitor at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, where many sites sit directly on the water.

Mountain biking: The extensive trail system at Bear Brook State Park Campground offers exceptional riding options. One camper reports, "We camped here to check out the mountain biking trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count... The biking trails were a blast." Some riders start directly from their campsites, accessing miles of varied terrain.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple water bodies provide fishing options throughout the area. At Wellington Camping Park, "The sites are wide I parked my truck next to camper and still had enough space for a safe fire in the pit," giving anglers plenty of room for gear. Sites along Pawtuckaway Lake are especially popular, with one visitor noting they're "perfect for fishing and boating."

What campers like

Waterfront sites: Campers consistently rate lakefront locations highest. A visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park mentioned, "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... but all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!" These premium sites book quickly due to their direct water access and views.

Smaller, quiet campgrounds: Epsom Valley Campground provides a more intimate experience compared to larger state parks. "The owners were so relaxed and friendly, the spots were pretty spacious and the rules were very relaxed," reports one camper who appreciated "our campsite was nice and level, right next to a river (with free canoe use!) and even had hammock trees."

Forested privacy: Many campsites feature natural separation from neighbors. At Bear Brook State Park, "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees." This natural privacy creates a more secluded camping experience even when the campground is busy.

What you should know

Pet restrictions vary seasonally: While the existing description mentions some restrictions, specific policies differ by campground. At Pawtuckaway, one visitor noted, "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months." Always check current pet policies before booking.

Bathroom quality differences: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Lazy River Family Campground, a camper reported, "The bathrooms hurt. One of the 3 bathhouses was out of order with a sign directing you to the one in the playground field. That one was clean, but there were no latches on any of the doors on the women's side."

Road noise at some locations: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. At Lazy River, one visitor mentioned, "Be aware that the sites along the river, while waterfront and nice, do suffer from road noise coming from NH28." Similarly, some Wakeda Campground sites experience occasional road noise from nearby Route 95.

Tips for camping with families

Best playground options: Wakeda Campground offers kid-friendly amenities beyond what state parks provide. "Nice wooded lots, small store, miniature golf(fee)" are available, with multiple play areas throughout the grounds. The campground also maintains family-friendly quiet hours strictly enforced.

Beach access considerations: Families with small children should know about swimming options. At Salmon Falls/Lebanon KOA, "There's a water slide, mini golf, ropes course, river access, and much more," making it particularly suitable for families with varied age children who need multiple activity options.

Site selection for families: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities. At Bear Brook State Park, "Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It's across the street from the playground. 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."

Tips from RVers

Arrival planning: RV campers should know about road conditions leading to sites. At Ayers Lake Farm Campground, "Amenities such as camp fire wood are available but if you really need anything, you can hop over to Rochester, NH in a heartbeat." Having supplies handy helps since some access roads can be challenging.

Electrical service reliability: Power consistency matters for RVers with sensitive equipment. Wellington Camping Park receives high marks, with one camper noting, "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites." This becomes especially important during summer heat when air conditioning may be necessary.

Loop navigation: Some campgrounds have tight turns challenging for larger rigs. At Bear Brook, one camper mentioned, "I found that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner." Larger RVs should inquire about specific site access before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near West Nottingham, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near West Nottingham, NH is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 44 reviews.

What parks are near West Nottingham, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near West Nottingham, NH that allow camping, notably Hopkinton-Everett Lake and Edward MacDowell Lake.