66 | 2017 New Hampshire Camping Guide
Sonya Reed photographed her daughter and a friend beginning an ambitious MSG (Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway) trail.
points of interest:• Keene Swamp Bat Baseball Team
• Hillsborough Balloon Festival, Hillsborough (July)
• Monadnock Speedway (Winchester)
• Pisgah State Park, Winchester (hiking, biking)
• Winchester Pickle Festival, Winchester (Sept.)
• Pumpkin Festival, Cheshire Fair Grounds (Oct.)
• Miller State Park, Peterborough (hiking, auto road)
• Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge
• MacDowell Artist Colony, Peterborough (oldest in the nation)
For more info on MonadnockGreater Keene Chamber of Commerce603-352-1303 • www.keenechamber.comGreater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce603-924-7234 • www.greater-peterborough-chamber.comHillsborough Chamber of Commerce603-464-5858 • www.hillsboroughnhchamber.comJaffrey Chamber of Commerce603-532-4549 • www.jaffreychamber.comMonadnock Travel Councilwww.monadnocktravel.com
The Monadnock Region is symbolic of old New England charm. Small villages and traditional homes, churches, farms and rolling countryside are set to the backdrop of Mount Monadnock, one of the most frequently-climbed mountains on earth and the subject of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous poem, “Monadnoc.”The hub of the region is the attractive city of Keene, with a broad main street and lively downtown filled with shops, restaurants, and the Thorne Art Gallery.
Other area events include the Hillsborough Balloon Festival in July, the Cheshire Fair in Swanzey in August, the Winchester Pickle Festival in September, and the Pumpkin Festival at the Cheshire Fairgrounds (Swanzey) in October. Also the Festival of Fireworks by Atlas is back in Jaffrey the 3rd Saturday of August.
This region offers an all-season, slow-paced camping experience. Spring is the ideal time to visit Rhododendron State Park in Fitzwilliam. Enjoy the Apple Hill Center in Nelson for Chamber Music, and Friendly Farm in Dublin to picnic and pet the farm animals. MacDowell Artist Colony in Peterborough is the oldest of its kind in the nation, and the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge is an outdoor shrine that honors the men and women who have died in service to our nation. Go hiking or biking at Miller State
Park in Peterborough, or check out Pisgah State Park in the areas of Hinsdale, Winchester and Chesterfield, for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and boating.
Lastly Monadnock is home to seven Covered Bridges and Winchester Speedway is Southern New Hampshire’s #1 NASCAR premiere short track.
monadnock region
Ossipee L.
ProvinceL.
Umbagog L.
L. Francis
Baxter L.
Ayers L.
SquamL.
Swains L.
GreatBay
SwanzeyL
Contoocook L.
Mt. Monadnock
SurreyMtn. L
Sip Pond
L. Massasecum
L. Sunapee
Mascoma L.
Cannan L.
Pemige-wassett L.
LakeWinnipesaukee
Dan Hole P.
Newfound L.
Conway L.
FirstConn. L.
SecondConn. L.
Colebrook
Groveton
W. Milan
Pittsburg
Lancaster
GorhamJefferson
Twin Mountain
Whitefield
Conway
Tamworth
Moultonboro
Wolfeboro
WestOssipee
Lisbon
odsville
Littleton
North Conway
Franconia
Woodstock Lincoln
Wo
Meredith
Ashland
Plymouth
Tilton-Northfield
Bristol
Hanover
Wentworth
Enfield
New LondonSunapee
Newport
CharlestownContoocook
Hooksett
Suncook
Henniker
MilfordEastMerrimack
Antrim
Hillsborough
HinsdaleWinchester
Troy
MarlboroughWest Swanzey
Wilton
Greenville
Peterborough
Jaffrey
Rindge
Hudson
Raymond
Sandown
Derry
Epping
Durham
Exeter Hampton
SeabrookKingston
Newmarket
Rollinsford
MiltonFarmington
Pittsfield
FranklinAlton
Berlin
Concord
Laconia
Claremont
Dover
Keene
Lebanon
Manchester
Nashua
Portsmouth
RochesterSomersworth
3940
22
18
17 15
16
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1617
18
19
20
21
951A
202
18
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11 12
14
13
93
93
101101
108
125
114
130
121A
106
103
102
4
13
2877
13
3
1
12
3
4
5
6
7
89
10
11
202
202
10
10
31
31
119
912
63
3212
101 136137
123
101
149
13 4
56
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
1516
1718
19
26
2
20
24
21
2223
25
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
35
36 37
33
8
38
39
3A
3A
25
28
28
2525
11
11
9
16
153
113
109
104 93
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
8
10
11
10
1111
31
1210
25A
12A
118
120
103
4A
4
3
3
89
89
89
35
36
37
38
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19 20
21
22
2324
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
17
116
115
112118
175
112
1353
2
16
49
2516
10
302
302
302 93
2
1
3
5
6
4
9
8
7
16
26
145
110
135
3
3
l1 Ashuelot River l2 Forest Lake l3 Hinsdale l4 Laurel Lake l5 Mountainside
l6 Oxbow l7 Shir-Roy l8 Swanzey Lakel9 Woodmore
n10 Greenfieldn11 Monadnock
State Parks
Notes:• Pick your ideal
location on the Region Map and then check out the Campgrounds in that area using the number code.
• Locators are approximate. Refer to listings for more accurate locations.
monadnock region private & state park campgrounds
Dartmouth/ Lake Sunapee Region
South Central/ Merrimack Region
Lakes Region
monadnock region
Note: When making your camping reservation, be sure to mention that you found your campground in the 2017 NH Camping Guide!
www.nhlovescampers.com | 67
MO
NA
DN
OC
K
RE
GIO
N
68 | 2017 New Hampshire Camping Guide
Camping with something for everybody!• 30 and 50 amp W/S/E sites • Rustic cabins • Big rig friendly •• Seasonal sites available • Tent sites – riverfront or wooded •• Accessible RV sites available • Pet friendly • Free wi-fi available •• Camp store with wood, ice, snacks and more • Free hot showers •
• 3,600 ft. shorefront on the Ashuelot River •• Lots of open space to play and relax • Strictly enforced quiet hours •
AshuelotRiver_NeHaCa_QuarterPage_2014_Ashuelot River Ads 9/15/2014 1:24 PM Page 1
SEE OUR LISTING THIS PAGE
l1 Ashuelot River Campground 152 Pine Street, Swanzey , N.H. 03446 • (603) 357-5777 or 888-355-CAMP (2267)[email protected] • www.ashuelotrivercampground.comAshuelot River Campground is a family campground located on 22 acres along the Ashuelot River in the heart of the Monadnock Region just 5 miles south of Keene, NH. We offer plenty of space, surrounded by woods and the Ashuelot River. Spend the day fishing, hiking the local trails, biking the covered bridges, playing horse shoes, volleyball, shopping or just sitting by the camp fire reading a book.Directions From Rt. 10 in Swanzey NH, take S. Winchester St. and follow our signs.GPS Directions Please call or consult the website for directions.Amenities Grassy, full hook-up (W/E/S) sites and W/E sites with 30 and 50 amp service; big rig friendly; two dump stations; free wi-fi; laundry and game room; pull-through sites and handicapped accessible sites available. Wooded, grassy and riverside tent sites and rustic cabins. Fire ring and picnic table at every site. Clean, accessible rest rooms with free hot showers. Camp store with firewood, ice and incidentals. Bike and boat rentals with shuttle service to put-ins and rail trails. 3600 feet of riverfront. River swimming, tubing, fishing, canoe/kayak launch. Adjacent to the Ashuelot River Rail Trail and a long menu of hiking opportunities, easy to challenging. Volleyball, badminton, tetherball, horseshoes, playground, acres of open field for kites and games.SEE AD THIS PAGE
l2 Forest Lake Camping Ground, Inc. 331 Keene Road, Winchester, NH 03470 • (603) [email protected] • www.forestlakecampgrounds.com Beautiful lakeside camping with many amenities to choose from. Family camping at its best.Directions From south, I-91 N, take exit 28A. From north, Route 10 SGPS Directions N 42 47.622 W 072 22.248Amenities 150 large wooded tent & trailer sites, 115 electric/water, some w/sewer, LP gas metered, cable, tables & fireplaces, fishing, boating, swimming, tennis, sports court, volleyball, playground, weekend activities, pitch and putt golf. SEE AD ON PAGE 70
l3 Hinsdale Campground29 Pine Street, Hinsdale, NH 03451 • (603) [email protected] • www.campingnow.comDirections At Thicket Hill Village on Route 119 GPS Directions N 42 47.876 W 072 30.799
Amenities 86 sites w/electric and water/electric/septic, secluded tent sites, 20/30/50 amp service, LP gas (metered), Wi-Fi, tables & fireplaces, pool, children’s pool, modern facilities, recreation hall, store (limited), ATVing available, laundry. SEE AD ON PAGE 69
monadnock region private & state park campgrounds
Tota
l No.
of S
ites
Wi-F
i (W
) Cab
le (C
)
LP G
as/ M
eter
ed (M
)
Tent
ing
Max
RV
Leng
thHo
okup
s W/E
/SM
ax A
mps
Dum
ping
Sta
tion
Pets
Allo
wed
[lea
shed
]
Rent
al U
nits
Grou
p Ar
ea
Stor
e
Rec H
all/G
ame
Room
Swim
min
g
Play
grou
nd
Boat
ing
/Can
oein
gFi
shin
g
Laun
dry
SEASONDATES
1 Ashuelot River 70 45 • 50 • W • • • • • • C • N • • 5/1-10/312 Forest Lake 150 39 • • • C <10 • • N • • 5/1-10/13 Hinsdale 98 45 • 50 • • W • <10 • • • • P <10 <10 4/15-10/314 Laurel Lake 65 32 • • <10 • • • • N • • 5/15-10/155 Mountainside 18 35 W • • • C <10 <10 5/27-9/5 Wknds* 6 Oxbow 118 44 • • W/C • • • • • C • N • • 5/1-10/157 Shir-Roy 122 40 • • <10 • • • • • • T/C • N • • 5/25-10/188 Swanzey Lake 108 35 • • • W/C • • • • • C • N • • 4/15-11/19 Woodmore 125 45 • 50 • • W/C • • • • • • • P/N • • May-Oct.
STATE PARKS10 Greenfield • <10 • • • N • • 5/15-10/1511 Monadnock 30 <10 <10 • • • <10 <10 4 Seasons
• = Service or Facility located in campground <10 = Service or Facility located within 10 miles of campground P=Pool, N=Natural = Swimming T=Trailer, C=Cabin, M=Motel = Rental Units S = Sani Station Only
Seasonal rental only* Weekends Only
For Rates & Reservations, please call the campground or visit the campground’s website.
things to do… Climb the Twins There are two “Monadnocks” in the region. Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, one of the most-climbed mountains in the world and lesser known “Pack Monadnock,” located in Peterborough’s Miller State Park. The bigger Monadnock at 3,165' offers 40 mi. of well-maintained trails. Although 2,290' Pack Monadnock is the smaller of the two, it’s also a bit more steep in places. Tackle them both! Feeling lazy, take the auto road at Pack Monadnock to the summit. Mt. Monadnock does not allow dogs, but Miller State Park does.
Accessible Trails The longest accessible trail system in a mountainside setting in the country, the Gregg and Dutton Brook trails at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield provide easy access for people of all abilities, including people who use wheelchairs or other devices for mobility, seniors and families with children. See page 35 for more information.
Stonewall-ing in Keene The Stonewall Farm in Keene is an agricultural gem. It’s a working farm using both historic and modern farming techniques that includes an animal feeding program, farmstand, a learning center, a discovery room and more. Visit Belgian draft horses, a dairy barn where you can observe a daily milking, and a sugar house. Set in a scenic valley, the Farm is open 365 days a year.
Gorgeous Gorge The Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area is a 13-acre hiker’s paradise. Cross bridges, listen to running water, stand beside cascading waterfalls stemming from Wilde Brook, and make your way across small streams and scenic paths. Well-maintained bridges will help you view the steep gorge and beautiful cascades and waterfalls. Enjoy this recreational area that is more reminiscent of the White Mountains.
Rhododendron Reverie Located on Rt. 119W, the best time to visit the 16-acre grove at Rhododendron State Park in Fitzwilliam is mid-July, when the fragrant clusters of flowers burst into bloom. A wildflower trail within the 2,723-acre park is in perpetual bloom from early spring through fall. The trail runs adjacent to the Rhododendron grove, which is the largest in New England. Bird lovers will appreciate hearing the songbirds that make their home here.
Rail Trailing The 42-mile long Cheshire Rail Trail is thought to be the second longest rail trail in New Hampshire. It runs from Keene to Winchester. Mostly a dirt trail for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking, the trail offers a variety of settings including the Stone Arch Bridge that crosses the Ashuelot River. In winter, cross-country skiers, mushers and snowmobilers also enjoy this old railroad bed for recreation.
www.nhlovescampers.com | 69
SEE OUR LISTING ON PAGE 68
• Located on the NH/VT border.• Enjoy fishing in the CT River. • Swim in our 30x60 pool.• Full Service, Water & Electric and Tent Sites• Hot Showers • Direct TV • Tables/Fireplaces
Hinsdale Campground
20 Pine Street, Hinsdale NH 603-336-8906 | www.campingnow.com
CAMPGROUND 603-585-3304
65 Tent & Trailer Sites • Water & ElectricTables • Fireplaces • Flush Toilets
Hot Showers • Dump Station
Box 114, Fitzwilliam, NH 0344711⁄2 Miles South of
Rte. 119 at Fitzwilliam Depot on“East Lake Road”
BEACHSWIMMINGFISHING
LAUREL LAKE LAUREL LAKE
CAMPGROUND
SEE OUR LISTING ABOVE
l4 Laurel Lake Campground 340 East Lake Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03477 • (603) 585-3304 Directions Off Rte. 119 at Fitzwilliam Depot Fire Station, 1 1⁄2 miles south on East Lake Rd.GPS Directions N 42 47.614 W 072 22.330Amenities 65 tent & trailer sites, tables & fireplaces, modern facilities, camp store, beach, swimming, fishing, playground, 47th yearSEE AD BELOW
l5 MountainsideHinsdale, New Hampshire • (603) [email protected] • www.mountainsidenh.comMountainSide offers Men’s camping in Southern New Hampshire, Weekends only; Memorial Day- Labor Day Weekend. Local Hiking in Pisgah Park and Mount Wantastiquet. Annual Mountain Bike Rally. Stag Horn Table Tennis Club. MountainSide Bocce Ball Tournaments.Directions CallGPS Directions NAAmenities Private Bathrooms with Shower. Canteen Kitchen, features Sink, Wood and Gas Grills, stove top range and oven. Cabins & Campers available for rent.Seasons of Operation Open Memorial Day – Labor Day weekends only, by appointment. Check-in before dusk. For Reservations Weekend Camping. Reservations Required. Call, Email or visit web site
l6 Oxbow Campground8 Oxbow Road, Deering, NH 03244 • (603) [email protected] • www.oxbowcampground.netGreat Family campground with spacious/clean and quiet sites. Also we recycle and wireless internet is available. Directions From Routes 9 & 202 in Hillsboro Square, go 3/4 mile south on Rt. 149, entrance on leftGPS Directions N 43 06.408 W 071 53.248Amenities Private, wooded, & open sites, including some waterfront, 103 full hookup sites w/optional cable TV, phone & free Wi-Fi, 11 electric only, 4 non-hookup sites, Rec room, play areas, fishing pond, swimming pond & pedal/paddle boating pond, pets on leash, 40th yearSEE AD ON PAGE 70 M
ON
AD
NO
CK
R
EG
ION
SEE OUR LISTING ON PAGE 71
Lakeside Camping
• BOATING• SWIMMING• RECREATION LODGE• SAFARI FIELD• CLEAN RESTROOMS• FREE SHOWERS• LAUNDRY• CANTEEN
TENTERS WELCOME . EXCELLENT FISHINGTent Cottage and Tent Trailer Rentals
Conveniently located at 136 Athol Road near Rte. 119 on Rte. 32, Richmond, NH.Visit us at www.shir-roy.comWrite or Call for Brochure.Mailing Address: Shir-Roy Camping, 100 Athol Rd., Richmond, NH 03470
(603) 239-4768Camping Area • Celebrating 60+ Years
APPROVED
70 | 2017 New Hampshire Camping Guide
LAKESIDE CAMPING• Boat Launch • Boat Rentals• Fishing • Tennis Court• Swimming • Shuffleboard• LP Gas (Metered) • Sport Court• 20/30 Amp Service • Cable
Mailing: 331 Keene Rd., Rte. 10 Winchester, NH 03470
E-mail:[email protected]
WOODALL’SINSPECTED & RATED
FOREST LAKECAMPING GROUND
SEE OUR LISTING ON PAGE 68
Phone: (603) 464-59528 Oxbow Road, Deering, NH 03244
Web: www.oxbowcampground.netE-mail: [email protected]
Ask For Our Complete
Brochure
GREAT CAMPING IN A SPACIOUS, PEACEFUL SETTING
GREAT CAMPING IN A SPACIOUS, PEACEFUL SETTING
Center Base For Touring & AttractionsSwim, Fish & Boat Ponds • Tent To Full Hookup Sites • Pull Thru Sites • Open,
Shaded & Waterfront Sites
Center Base For Touring & AttractionsSwim, Fish & Boat Ponds • Tent To Full Hookup Sites • Pull Thru Sites • Open,
Shaded & Waterfront Sites
Wi-FiAvailable
SEE OUR LISTING ON PAGE 69
www.nhlovescampers.com | 71
1833 The year the first free public library in the United States was opened in Peterborough.
This camping and hunting season, get your firewood from a vendor close to your destination. Don’t pack your own! Invasive insects and
diseases in dead and dying wood threaten our native trees and forests. If you move firewood, you could be giving these pests a free ride to new territory.
Every camper, cabin owner, and recreationist should leave their firewood at home and obtain it near their destination… that could make a long-term difference in the health of our forests and the quality of our recreational experiences.
21 Woodmore Dr., PO Box 830, Rindge, NH 03461-0830 • (603) 899-3362 [email protected] • www.woodmorecampground.com Woodmore is located in Southern New Hampshire on Lake Contoocook. Our region offers you New England charm, covered bridges, State Parks, tax-free shopping, golf, fishing and more.Directions Located off Rt 202 between Junctions 202/124 & 202/119 take South Woodbound Road, take left Woodbound Road & Left into driveway, 21 Woodmore Drive. GPS; use Woodbound Road as Woodmore Drive not recognized. Just 8 miles from MA border.GPS Directions N 42 46.726 W 72 1.005Amenities Row boats, kayaks, canoes, firewood, propane, grocery, RV & camp supplies in our store. Enjoy our many amenities boat dock, lake fishing, horseshoes, bocci, sand volleyball, pool, playground, arcade, wiffle ball field, basketball court, wi-fi hot spot etc. or join us for planned events. Site amenities: water, 50 amp, 30 amp, cable, sewer, pull-thru, picnic table, fire ring w/grill top.SEE AD ON PAGE 72
136 Athol Road, Richmond, NH 03470Mailing Address:100 Athol Road, Richmond, NH 03470(603) 239-4768 • [email protected] • www.shir-roy.com60 years of experience providing great family camping in a relaxed natural environment.Directions 14 miles South of Keene on Route 32. 20 miles from I-91 via Northfield, exit Route 10 to Winchester then E Route 119 to Route 32 S 1/2 mile. 7 miles from Route 12 via 119. GPS Directions N 42 44.669 W 72 16.177Amenities 122 RV & tent sites, in pines on the water, large group area, modern facilities, laundry, camp store, rec hall, swimming, fishing, boating with paddle boat, kayak, canoe and row boat rentals, 2 playgrounds, tent cottage and tent trailer rentals. Seasons of Operation Memorial Day-Columbus Day & The Keene Pumpkin FestivalSEE AD ON PAGE 70
l 9 Woodmore Family Campgroundl 7 Shir-Roy Camping Area
Play ball!Enjoy swimming and boating in a relaxed natural environment!
STATE PARKSn10 GREENFIELD Greenfield, NHn11 MONADNOCK Jaffrey, NHSee back cover fold-out for more information.
Amanda Walker photographed her son, Evan, catching this beauty at Woodmore Campground on Lake Contoocook.
l8 Swanzey Lake Camping Area88 East Shore Road, Swanzey, NH 03446 • (603) [email protected] • www.swanzeylake.com“Family camping at it’s best.” Located on the shore of Swanzey Lake in Southwestern NH. Come experience old fashioned lake side country camping in a very wooded campsite area.Directions From Keene Junctions Route 101, 9, & 12 go 1 mile South on Route 12, then 5 miles South on Route 32, turn right onto Swanzey Lake Road, go 2 miles, turn right onto East Shore Road, Entrance 1/2 mile on left. From I-91 exit 28 via Route 10, 16 miles right onto Westport Road, 2 1⁄2 miles to Swanzey Lake Rd, turn right, 1 mile turn left onto East Shore Road, Entrance 1/2 mile on left.GPS Directions N 42 50.544 W 072 18.033 Amenities 108 sites, dump station, metered showers, LP gas, laundry, camp store, playground, cable tv, sandy beach, dock, boat rentals, RV supplies.
MO
NA
DN
OC
K
RE
GIO
N
No campfire out time, if you comply with our quiet hours.
Adult swim daily.
Secluded wooded sites.
Family & Pet Friendlyjust 7 miles from NH/MA state line on Route 202
WOODMORE CAMPGROUND
Located on beautiful 320 acre Lake Contoocook
603.899.3362 | www.woodmorecampground.com
• Boat Rentals• Swimming Pool• Playground • Rec Room with Arcade & Billiards• Basketball Court & Volleyball• Horseshoe Pits & Bocce• Planned Activities• Store, Laundry, Firewood & LP Gas• Modern Facilities
21 Woodmore Drive, Rindge, NH 03461
72 | 2017 New Hampshire Camping Guide
SEE OUR LISTING ON PAGE 71
www.nhlovescampers.com | 73
The longest accessible trail system in a mountainside setting in the country, the Gregg and Dutton Brook trails at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield provide easy access for people of all abilities, including people who use wheelchairs or other devices for mobility, seniors and families with children.
The trails combine hardpack surfaces, boardwalks, moderate grades, switchbacks, and rest stops to create a natural, yet accessible, hiking experience for everyone. Each trail provides a different outdoor experience and meets the Federal accessibility standards released by the U.S. Forest Service in 2013.
The Dutton Brook trail winds through the woods and around a beaver-built wetland. The Gregg trail meanders up through a meadow, forest and blueberry fields to a scenic vista. The 2 ½ miles of trails provide opportunities for hikers to see wildflowers, mountain views, and wildlife. Interpretive signs inform hikers about the outdoor environment. For more information, visit crotchedmountain.org.
Some accessible trails of the White Mountain National Forest include Forest Discovery Trail and Lincoln Woods Trail, both located along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. For more information on these and other accessible trails, contact the White Mountain Visitor Center at (603) 745-3816.
Accessible Trails in NH
Photo provided by Crotched Mountain
MO
NA
DN
OC
K
RE
GIO
N
Buy firewood where you burn it!Please help protect New Hampshire’s campgrounds, forests and trees.
Pests move in wood! Outdoor enthusiasts can unknowingly transport forest-destroying insects in firewood. Leave your firewood at home and protect scenic New Hampshire by buying or gathering firewood at your destination. With more than 500 NH firewood vendors from across the state, Firewood Scout makes it easy to buy it where you burn it!
Visit firewoodscout.org for a list of over 500 NH firewood vendors!