Camping options near Westmoreland, New Hampshire include several pet-friendly facilities within a 30-minute drive radius. The Ashuelot River flows through the region, creating riverside camping opportunities with water activities during warmer months. Elevations range from 400 to 800 feet throughout the area, with campgrounds operating primarily between April and October due to the region's cold winters.
What to do
Hiking Mount Olga trail: Molly Stark State Park Campground offers a 1.7-mile round trip hike leading to panoramic 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.
River activities: At Ashuelot River Campground, visitors can enjoy water recreation directly from camp. "Awesome campground with two of the greatest host/owners Chuck and Laura. Beautiful river to float down or paddle up. Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground," shares Michael M.
Mini golf and recreation: Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres) offers on-site entertainment beyond standard camping. "They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer," reports Sammii D.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Fort Dummer State Park receives consistent praise for bathroom maintenance. "The bathrooms/showers are centrally located, but there are pit toilets distributed throughout the campground. The pit toilets are clean and, this early in the season at least, odorless," writes Jean C.
Quiet atmosphere: Jamaica State Park Campground maintains a tranquil environment despite popularity. "This is one of our favorite campgrounds. Small and quiet. The pool was sparkling clean and the best part, not a bunch of screaming kids running around," mentions Rebecca S. about the general atmosphere in the area.
Spacious sites: Site dimensions allow comfortable setup at most campgrounds. "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, VT," explains Jessica S. about Fort Dummer State Park Campground.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears have been spotted near certain campgrounds. "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!" reports Ralph L. about his experience at Kampfires campground.
Water level variations: River activities depend on seasonal conditions. "We were able to enjoy a nice, slow drift around the campground. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit," notes Rae-Ann W. about Ashuelot River.
Road accessibility: Some campgrounds have restrictions on approaching routes. "Highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross- we discovered this the hard way," warns Mallory P. about Gilson Pond Area Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple facilities offer children's play areas. "They have 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," describes Jean C. about recreation options.
Swimming access: Several campgrounds provide water recreation for all ages. "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," shares Meike W. about Jamaica State Park.
Off-season benefits: Visiting outside peak times reduces crowds. "We stayed for 3 days off season so not busy. Sites located along the river are wooded, field sites are very open great for seeing the stars at night," explains John L. about timing considerations.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electrical connections vary by campground. "We were in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park. We were in a fully wooded area on the left side of the campground," reports Rae-Ann W.
Site navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. "Site 12 a little tight for 21 ft travel trailer. Large tree canopy. Lots of seasonal sites make up a majority of sites," mentions Mike B. about Swanzey Lake Camping Area.
Direction considerations: Getting to dog friendly campgrounds near Westmoreland requires attention to routing details. "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., highlighting an important consideration for RV travelers approaching Ashuelot River Campground.
Ranger
