Campsites near Wolfeboro, New Hampshire offer terrain ranging from pine-shaded forested sites to open lakefront locations within the Lakes Region. The area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 10:00-11:30 PM through 7:00-8:00 AM, with varying enforcement levels.
What to do
Hiking adventures: Gunstock Campground provides access to excellent trails including the mountain itself. "Just stayed this weekend and Oh. My. God. We will 100% be back!" notes Sarah B. about Gunstock's accessible hiking opportunities. Gunstock's ski area transforms into a hiking destination in summer months with varying difficulty levels.
Kayak rentals: Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort offers on-site kayak rentals for exploring the river. "I always appreciate the onsite kayak rentals for exploring the river that runs along the campground. Mary's mountain is a nice hike accessible from the RV/Boat storage area," mentions Jake C. The resort provides equipment without needing to transport your own.
Swimming access: Multiple swimming options exist from sandy beaches to roped-off lake areas. "The beach area is very nice and has lots of tables and grills. We were able to hear the loons calling on the lake at night too," shares Amanda about White Lake State Park Campground. The park maintains a shallow swimming area extending quite far from shore, making it suitable for families with children.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer larger sites than typical for New England camping. "Sites are very spacious and surrounded by trees. Very quiet campground. Definitely not a 'resort' type campground but this is exactly what we like about it," notes Michelle F. about Wolfeboro Campground, which provides more separation between campers than other area options.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower facilities receive regular attention at most campgrounds. "Very nice showers. Beautiful fall colors," reports Marc D. about Gunstock Campground. Most shower facilities operate either on quarters (typically $0.25 for 2-3 minutes) or are included in camping fees.
Lake views: Long Island Bridge Campground sits directly on Lake Winnipesaukee with premium waterfront sites. "Campground is right on the lake, very clean, pet friendly, employees are great, overall just a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! People are awesome here!" writes Austin M. The campground provides both water access and scenic mountain backdrop views across the lake.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill completely during summer weekends, requiring advance planning. "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni," notes Ryan P. about Gunstock Campground. Reservations for lakefront sites typically should be made 3-6 months in advance for peak season.
Campground security: Rules enforcement varies between locations. "The security people have been extremely aggressive to us. I could understand if they asked us respectfully not to add to it but the woman got right in our face yelling at us and telling us that she wasn't leaving until the fire is out including the coals," reports Jeremy P. about Danforth Bay regarding fire curfew enforcement.
Limited privacy: Many sites, particularly at state parks, offer limited separation. "The tent site has water, electric, and a fire pit. They brought us a picnic table to use for the night. The tent was on a nice smooth spot, which was comfortable. The camp sites were very close together, but there was enough space to fit everything," explains Jeremiah C. about Granite State Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. "Has restrooms and showers and lots of fun activities to do," reports Brad F. about Gunstock Campground, which maintains playground equipment suitable for various age groups.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events occur at many campgrounds, particularly on weekends. "If you have kids they apparently do a hay ride and a little barrel train ride every Saturday," notes Charlie & Danielle B. about Beaver Hollow Campground. Activity schedules typically post at camp stores or registration offices.
Beach features: Paugus Bay Campground offers direct lake access with swimming areas. "Nice size beach and pavilion, playground located at the top of the hill as well as shuffleboard. Bathrooms are very clean. Camp store reasonable and decently stocked," shares Michelle B. The beach includes shallow entry points for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many wooded campgrounds have slightly uneven sites. "The sites are small, stacked close together, and not level," warns J B. about Beaver Hollow Campground. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended even for sites advertised as level.
Water and electric placement: Hookup locations vary between sites and may require extra hose length. "Water hook up was on the opposite side of the site of where the camper needed to be, no sewer hook ups. The owners were very helpful by lending us a hose to help us reach the spigot," explains Zachary W. about Paugus Bay Campground. Standard 25-foot hoses may not reach all connections.
Access roads: Some campgrounds have narrow internal roads. "My biggest complaint is the narrow roads in the campground. The location is great, and the campground does seem to have quite a bit to offer," reports Kasey M. about Paugus Bay Campground. Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm access and turning radius capabilities.
