The Westmoreland region sits between the Connecticut River Valley and rolling hills of southwest New Hampshire at approximately 700 feet elevation. Seasonal camping options extend beyond the standard glamping accommodations, with campsites often nestled in dense hardwood forests characteristic of the northern New England landscape. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer days average in the mid-80s.
What to do
River activities: Float or paddle the Ashuelot River at Ashuelot River Campground, where water-based recreation offers a different perspective of the surrounding landscape. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other... able to enjoy a nice, slow drift around the campground," reports camper Rae-Ann W. The campground provides canoe and kayak rentals directly on-site.
Trail exploration: Hike Mount Olga's 1.7-mile trail at Molly Stark State Park for panoramic mountain views. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes Tara S. The trails connect to Hogback Mountain Conservation area, creating several miles of connected pathways.
Water recreation: Swim or fish at multiple locations across the region's ponds and reservoirs. At Woodford State Park, "Our dog loved getting a little swim! The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," says Melissa S. Most parks maintain designated swimming areas with gradually sloping beaches suitable for children.
What campers like
Large, private campsites: Spacious areas for setup at Woodford State Park Campground provide room to spread out. "The sites are nice and private. The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful," explains Sandy M. Many sites include fire rings with excellent airflow for efficient burning.
Diverse accommodation options: Lean-tos and yurt camping near Westmoreland provide alternatives to traditional tenting. "We stayed in one of the lean-tos because it was threatening rain... The only thing we didn't like is that it was facing the neighbor's campsite," shares one camper at Molly Stark. Several parks offer these semi-permanent structures as weather-resistant camping options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Chance to see native species in their natural habitat. "Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground," reports Michael M. about his experience at Ashuelot River Campground. Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing times, with campers reporting hearing coyotes at night and loons in the morning at Woodford State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most parks close during winter months. Emerald Lake State Park operates "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend," with similar schedules at most regional campgrounds. Ashuelot River runs "May 1 to October 31," making advance planning essential for fall camping.
Pay shower facilities: Bring quarters for hot water. "Don't forget to bring quarters for the shower," advises Cynthia K. about Emerald Lake. Most state parks in the region operate token or quarter-fed shower systems, typically charging $0.25-0.50 for approximately 5 minutes of hot water.
Cell service limitations: Expect reduced connectivity. "There is also zero cell service which is fine... but wished we knew ahead of time," notes Tim S. about camping in the region. Some campgrounds maintain pay phones or emergency communication systems, but digital detox is often unavoidable.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple beach areas for swimming and playing. "The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other," explains Jean C. about Erving State Forest Campground. Most beaches have gradually sloping sandy bottoms ideal for younger swimmers.
Playground facilities: Updated play equipment at several campgrounds. "The new playground is awesome according to my little experts," reports a camper at Country Aire Campgrounds. Many parks include modern playground areas constructed within the past five years.
Family-oriented events: Seasonal activities for all ages. "They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor," explains Jason A. about Country Aire Campgrounds. Weekend programming often includes ranger-led nature walks, fishing derbies, and evening campfire programs during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility considerations: Research entry routes carefully. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low Clearance and low weight limits," advises John L. about Ashuelot River Campground. Many regional roads include historic covered bridges with 11'6" height restrictions and weight limits under 10 tons.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for varied terrain. "The sites were very spacious, level and included nicely placed hookups for water and electric, with easy access to trails along the river," notes one camper. While many sites offer natural leveling, bringing leveling blocks remains advisable for most RV camping in the region.
Hookup availability: Varies significantly between parks. State parks typically offer fewer hookup options than private campgrounds. Woodford State Park does not provide water or electric hookups, while Ashuelot River Campground offers full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer connections at most locations.
