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Best Tent Camping near Winchester, NH

674 Reviews

Winchester, New Hampshire offers backcountry tent camping options with several established tent campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston, Massachusetts provides walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Monadnock State Park Headquarters Campground offers tent sites with drinking water and toilets approximately 15 miles from Winchester. Stratton Pond Shelter in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest represents a more remote tent camping option for those seeking true backcountry experiences.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to park in designated areas and walk to their sites. At Tully Lake, campers use provided carts to transport gear from the parking area to tent sites that may be up to a mile away. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some sites offering flush toilets and showers while others provide only basic vault toilets or composting facilities. Fire regulations are strictly enforced at most locations, with Zoar Outdoor prohibiting fires at campsites entirely. Many primitive tent camping areas require visitors to pack in their own water and pack out all waste.

Tent camping areas near Winchester feature varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sites at Maple Ridge Farm provide substantial space between campsites, offering a more secluded experience for tent campers. The waterfront sites at Tully Lake give tent campers direct access to paddling and swimming opportunities. A visitor commented that "There is one central restroom with showers and a place to wash dishes" at Tully Lake, noting the campground's rustic but well-maintained facilities. Areas like Federated Women's Club State Forest offer more primitive backcountry tent camping with fewer amenities but greater solitude, appealing to experienced tent campers seeking to distance themselves from developed campgrounds.

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Best Tent Sites Near Winchester, New Hampshire (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Winchester, NH

37 Photos of 20 Winchester Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Winchester, NH

674 Reviews of 20 Winchester Campgrounds

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. 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.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Emma N.
    May. 24, 2018

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Secluded Sites

    The night before hiking Mount Monadnock, my husband and I camped here. Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike. The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring. We drove by a shower facility and a building with restrooms. The restrooms were still locked for the winter, so there were a few port-a-potties right outside- these were absolutely disgusting. It looked as though they had not been cleaned out all winter. Otherwise, the campground seemed nice! Just don’t forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • D
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Pillsbury State Park Campground

    Love this campground been going back almost every year for several years.

    Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. 

    Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. 

    There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. 

    There is at least one handicap accessible site, which I have used, near the toilet facilities. It provides a good sized very level area to set up a tent and park your car. There may be other handicap sites. I have only used this one and never checked for others. 

    Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning.

    This web page  says this about Pillsbury.

    Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north.

    Pillsbury State Park

    100 Pillsbury State Park Rd

    Washington, Nh 03280

    Phone: 603-863-2860

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

Guide to Winchester

Tent camping near Winchester, New Hampshire offers experiences in both densely forested areas and near water bodies throughout the Monadnock region. The area sits within the temperate hardwood forest zone with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates. Most primitive sites require campers to carry water filters or bring containers as natural water sources may require treatment.

What to do

Paddle the lake systems: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, visitors can explore multiple islands and secluded coves. "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 Ben P. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on-site.

Hike to waterfalls: Near the Winchester area, several campgrounds offer access to waterfall trails. Doane's Falls is accessible through a short walk from Tully Lake, with a path through dense forest leading to a series of cascades. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," writes Nancy R.

Disc golf: The Barton Cove Campground area features a disc golf course that receives regular use during summer months. "Near the dam is a larger boat launch with parking. I was there in July and wildflowers were blooming. A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," Jean C. reports.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Maple Ridge Farm stands out for its spacious layout. "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," notes Les R., highlighting the transport assistance offered.

Walk-in camping experience: Many campers appreciate the absence of vehicles near tent sites. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," Megan G. mentions about Tully Lake Recreation Area, emphasizing the family-friendly benefits of car-free camping.

Wilderness access: Experienced backpackers value Stratton Pond Shelter for its remote setting. "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter," shares Miccal M.

What you should know

Cart logistics: Most walk-in tent camping requires transporting gear from parking areas. "Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea. The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough," advises Miguel B. about Tully Lake.

Fire restrictions: Campfire policies vary significantly between locations. Zoar Outdoor prohibits fires at individual sites. "They don't allow fired at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive," Seth K. mentions about the facility's policies.

Cell service limitations: Most tent camping areas near Winchester have limited connectivity. Jean C. notes about 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."

Tips for camping with families

Select sites near facilities: Tent sites distant from bathrooms require planning. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night. Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site and neighboring campers," shares Lauren A. about Tully Lake Recreation Area.

Bring insect protection: Summer camping requires preparation for bugs. "Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that's all I got for now :)" advises Sa R., indicating both the pet-friendly policy and seasonal considerations at Tully Lake.

Consider site location carefully: At Lost Boys Hideout, site selection impacts the camping experience. "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" recommends Steve K., noting recent upgrades to specific sites.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodations: Most tent camping locations near Winchester don't accommodate large vehicles. The majority require walk-in access only and provide no hookups. "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," describes Brie B. about the process at Barton Cove, illustrating the lack of RV-friendly infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Winchester, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Winchester, NH is Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Winchester, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Winchester, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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