The camping landscape around Windham, New Hampshire includes diverse options within a 40-mile radius, ranging from heavily wooded state parks to family-friendly private campgrounds with amenities. Most sites in this region sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, creating moderate temperatures that average 5-10 degrees cooler than coastal areas during summer months. The region experiences typical New England humidity levels that peak in July and August, when nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 60°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on extensive trail networks: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers over 40 miles of mountain biking trails suitable for various skill levels. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," notes one visitor who specifically came to check out the trails. Bear Brook's network connects directly to the campground, allowing campers to access trails without driving.
Golfing at Hidden Valley: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with a golf course spanning 1300 acres. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," explains one camper. Golf packages are available for overnight guests.
Explore historic sites: Spacious Skies Minute Man provides access to Revolutionary War historic sites. "There are so many cool things to do just a short drive away... Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott," reports one visitor. The campground serves as a strategic base for exploring regional historical attractions within 30-45 minutes.
What campers like
Waterfront sites for boating access: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground features lakefront sites popular among paddlers. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," notes a camper. Sites directly on the water book up quickest, particularly during summer weekends.
Clean, modern facilities: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "Friendly staff, clean bathrooms, clean grounds, gated campground with card key access in/out of the grounds, 2 pools, pavilion, activities/entertainment, fairly quiet during quiet hours, laundromat, playground, dog park, boating pond, Horse shoe & Basketball court," reports one visitor who appreciated the security features.
Natural site separations: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers campsites separated by natural features. "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees," explains a reviewer. This natural spacing provides privacy even in areas where sites are relatively close together.
What you should know
Variable site privacy: Campgrounds near Windham vary significantly in site spacing. At Tuxbury Pond, "No separation between some tent sites" is reported by one camper, while at Wakeda Campground, visitors note "nice wooded lots" with more separation. Research specific site numbers before booking.
Roads can be challenging: Several campgrounds feature narrow access roads. One visitor at Bear Brook noted, "I found that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner." Larger RVs may need to request specific sites with easier access.
Site reservations: Reservations are essential, especially for waterfront sites. At Pawtuckaway, one camper advises, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating." Most campgrounds open their reservation systems 6 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling within days of availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity considerations: Some campgrounds offer playgrounds, but consider site location carefully. At Tuxbury Pond, a visitor advises, "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Campground entertainment: Calef Lake Camping Area schedules regular family activities. "They had a beach dance which was really fun. We met some really nice people," reports one visitor who appreciated the organized social events. Check event calendars when booking during summer months.
Water features: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas specifically designed for children. At Calef Lake, one visitor noted, "swimming pond that you can canoe in that looked fairly clean. Campsite was on a little creek." Bear Brook also features kid-friendly swimming areas with gradual entry points.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup locations: Position can be challenging at some campgrounds. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric."
Site dimensions: Many sites accommodate smaller rigs better than large ones. At Hidden Valley, a reviewer noted, "Unfortunately, I can't give high marks to our campsite. The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
Seasonal camper presence: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground has many seasonal residents. "There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you," advises one RVer who visited the campground. This affects the overall atmosphere and availability of prime sites.
