Tent camping options near Wilton, New Hampshire range from primitive sites to established campgrounds with some amenities. Located in Hillsborough County at approximately 900 feet elevation, the area experiences typical New England seasonal weather patterns with warm summers and cold winters. Most tent camping facilities operate between May and October, with limited options available during colder months.
What to do
Paddle on Tully Lake: Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the lake. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes camper Ben P.
Hike at Soapstone Hill: Near Federated Womens Club State Forest, the trails lead to panoramic views. "If you continue past site 15, you'll head through Gate 36 out toward Soapstone Hill which offers a great view of Quabbin Reservoir and sunsets," explains Jean C. The area contains remnants of towns submerged during the 1930s reservoir creation.
Swimming access: While not all campgrounds permit swimming, some sites provide water access. At Barton Cove, a camper notes: "You can't swim (unless you rent a canoe/kayak and swim while you're out on the water) and sites are fenced in due to how steep it is to the water."
What campers like
Cart-based camping: The best tent camping near Wilton, New Hampshire often includes car-free experiences. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, "Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites)," explains Nancy R.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between camping areas. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private," notes Megan G. about Tully Lake, adding that even waterfront sites maintain good spacing.
Rustic amenities: Camp Nihan Education Center balances basic camping with necessary facilities. "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods. A recently renovated bathroom and shower facility makes clean ups easy," says Michael V.
What you should know
Campsite access varies: Most tent sites require walking from central parking areas. At Barton Cove Campground, one camper describes the process: "You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key."
Limited cell coverage: Many camping areas have poor or nonexistent service. At Federated Women's Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here," advises one camper.
Booking timeline: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Tully Lake, one camper notes that sites "fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April)."
Tips for camping with families
Look for car-free sites: Parents appreciate campgrounds that limit vehicle access. At Tully Lake, one parent noted, "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around."
Check bathroom proximity: Consider distance to facilities when camping with children. At Tully Lake, one camper mentioned, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night."
Explore local attractions: Lost Boys Hideout provides access to nearby activities. "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" reports Steve K.
Tips from RVers
Focus on tent camping: Most sites around Wilton are designed primarily for tent campers, with limited RV infrastructure. New Boston Recreation Area provides basic tent camping without typical RV amenities like hookups or dump stations.
Consider prepared sites: For those seeking comfort without an RV, several campgrounds offer prepared sites. One camper at Lost Boys Hideout appreciated the "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site," noting this eliminates the need to bring bulky equipment.
Weather considerations: New England weather can change quickly. One camper at Tully Lake mentioned being thankful for sites "located on a small rise," noting that was "appreciated the night 4 inches of rain fell recently."
