Cabins and camping facilities near Westmoreland provide access to both the Connecticut River valley and the southwestern New Hampshire highlands. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, with weather that's typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby urban centers. Campers staying in the region during September can expect nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s while daytime highs reach the mid-70s.
What to do
Hiking on Mt. Olga: The 1.7-mile round trip trail at Molly Stark State Park Campground leads to a fire tower with views of the Green Mountains. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort. They are rested remnants of the ski lifts and warming huts," notes one visitor.
River activities: Bring water equipment to Ashuelot River Campground for river recreation. "Great riverfront location. Huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want?" writes one camper. Another mentions, "Great place to camp on the ashuelot river. Make sure to bring tubes for relaxing on the river. We brought our kayaks and had no problem kayaking on the flat surface river."
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail systems. A camper at Ashuelot River Campground notes, "You can pick up the Ashuelot Rail Trail at the campground. They have canoes and kayaks on site, plus a shuttle service for water sports or biking."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive high marks for bathrooms and maintenance. At Jamaica State Park Campground, a reviewer reports, "The sites are great and well cared for with friendly staff and clean amenities. Book your site early to get a lean-to or a site near the river...it's stunning in the morning with the mountain mist rolling through!!"
Privacy and site layout: Many of the best places to camp near Westmoreland offer well-designed camping areas. "The sites are large and well maintained. Plenty of space between sites. It is a state park so there are not many services, but there is a great hike to a swimming hole and it is very close to Brattleboro," mentions a visitor at Fort Dummer State Park Campground.
Proximity to towns: Campers appreciate access to nearby communities. One reviewer at Kampfires says, "This place is pretty awesome. They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. It's close to Brattleboro and Putney and just across the border to New Hampshire."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have specific route restrictions. At Ashuelot River Campground, a camper advises, "Highly suggest reading the directions on the campground's website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross - we discovered this the hard way." Another notes, "Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are occasionally spotted in the region. A camper at Kampfires reported, "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!"
Highway noise considerations: Proximity to roadways affects some camping experiences. At Fort Dummer State Park, one visitor mentions, "Only downfall is since it's so close to the highway, you can hear traffic all night."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Gilson Pond Area Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There's a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games," shares one camper.
Swimming options: Multiple parks provide water recreation for children. A visitor at Jamaica State Park notes, "For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak. The bugs were not fun in the summer. At night, we all had a great sleeping night with no crazy neighbors or dogs."
Festival planning: Some campgrounds host special events. A camper at Kampfires mentions, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for size: Choose sites based on your RV dimensions. An RVer at Swanzey Lake Camping Area notes, "Site 12 a little tight for 21 ft travel trailer. Large tree canopy. Lots of seasonal sites make up a majority of sites."
Hookup availability: Service options vary significantly between campgrounds. At Ashuelot River Campground, a camper reports, "Sites in the woods have water and 50 amp service, no sewer. Most of the open sites have 30/50 amp service with full hook-ups. River view sites available."
Digital connectivity: Cell service can be limited. A camper at Swanzey Lake Camping Area reports, "No WiFi, AT&T is 2 bars without booster. Spectrum cable available at the site, but TV service is very poor."
