Wilton, New Hampshire sits in southern New Hampshire's Hillsborough County at an elevation of approximately 900 feet. This area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with several offering glamping options as alternatives to traditional tent and RV camping.
What to do
Swimming in ponds and pools: Autumn Hills Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "They have 3 separate ponds-one for fishing, one for boating & the larger one is for swimming," notes one visitor. The campground also features "a playground, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times."
Boating and fishing: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides excellent water access with rentals available. "There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent," reports a camper. The park's layout makes it ideal for water activities as "it's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water."
Mountain biking: Bear Brook State Park offers extensive trail networks for cycling enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count." The trails connect directly to the campground, making it convenient to "ride right off the campground and onto the trails."
Free paddle boats: Oxbow Campground provides complimentary paddle boats for guests. "Free paddle boats :), a recreational hall with a pool table & video games," writes one reviewer. The campground features three separate ponds that serve different purposes, offering variety for water activities.
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: Cold Springs Camp Resort stands out for its numerous pools. "Very family centric, 7 pools which (include 2 hot tubs, a small 2x2 pool for kiddos, 1 adult only pool and 3 family pools)," says one reviewer. Another notes the "4 outdoor pools & pretty big campground that has a gated entry/exit that needs a key card pass you get upon registering."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness at several campgrounds. At Oxbow, "The bathrooms are the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever been to." Similarly, a visitor to The Pine Campground stated, "Bathrooms kept up with regularly. Staff is very nice."
Secluded sites: Campers appreciate privacy at select locations. At Calef Lake Camping Area, visitors enjoy "riverfront secluded areas" and note it's "perfect for a quick escape from southern NH without going too far north!" The campground offers "lake access 24/7 and secluded campsites, perfect for everyone!"
Family activities: Organized events enhance camping experiences. Autumn Hills Campground schedules regular activities: "They do community fires and dances." Similarly, Calef Lake offers special themed weekends; one camper mentioned "kids and adult paint the weekend we were there."
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Many campgrounds feature dramatically different site dimensions. At The Pine Campground, "Most of the daily/weekly sites back up to a stream, which is nice. You can hear the water running, especially at night." However, at Friendly Beaver Campground, a visitor noted "The campsite itself was squished in between two other sites so closely that we could hear others in their tent whispering during quiet hours."
Reservation timing: The most desirable sites book quickly. For Pawtuckaway State Park, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating." Similarly, at Willard Brook State Forest Campground, one camper recommends "downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area."
Pet policies vary: Some campgrounds charge additional fees for pets or restrict them entirely. Calef Lake is described as "pet friendly" while Pawtuckaway State Park has seasonal restrictions: "They don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Noise levels: Several campgrounds experience varying noise levels. A camper at Autumn Hills noted "loud cars going all night, some lights in your face. Some people tend to fly down the road on golf carts." This factor may influence site selection, especially for light sleepers.
Tips for camping with families
Look for multiple recreation options: Friendly Beaver Campground offers diverse activities for children. "They have 3 outdoor pools(sports,toddler,regular) plus an indoor pool for rainy or chilly days. They have a few animals the kids can feed. They also have crafts, hayrides and games,playground and other events," writes one parent.
Consider bathhouse proximity: When camping with children, bathroom location matters. At Calef Lake, one camper mentioned, "The only bad part is we were very far from the bathrooms." For convenience with young children, request sites closer to facilities.
Scout for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Oxbow, there's "a pond for swimming, playground, free paddle boats" while Cold Springs provides "organized bingo, hayrides, large pools."
Check cancellation policies: Weather can affect family trips. One camper at Friendly Beaver appreciated flexibility during inclement conditions: "This campground was amazing. We went for a weekend and they let us stay later on sunday since it rained all weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that complicate RV navigation. At Cold Springs, a reviewer noted the grounds are "nicely landscaped although the roads are very narrow. Made it hard to back in our spot." Consider requesting pull-through sites when available.
Hook-up placement: At Autumn Hills, a camper staying at "site 14 needed a very long sewer hose." Pack extension hoses and electrical cords to accommodate varied utility placements.
Entry assistance: First-time RVers should request help. One visitor at Calef Lake Camping Area observed that "Staff was friendly, helpful" making it easier for newcomers. Some campgrounds like Oxbow provide guidance to your site: "Staff assisted to guide us into our space. 25' travel trailer, full hookups."
Site levelness: RVers should inquire about terrain. At The Pine Campground, "Sites are nice and the campground is nice and clean," while at Oxbow, sites are described as "spacious" with "flat sites" that make setup easier for larger rigs.
