Northeast Mass/Southwest NH Campgrounds

[Greg]

Every Labor Day weekend, we get together with our college friends and go cooler camping. The past few years we've been going to White Lake State Park in New Hampshire. We used to camp along the Kanc and do various dayhikes, but now that we all have little kids, we usually just hang around the site and let the kids play. The nice thing about White Lake is they have a few playgrounds, a ball field, and most importantly the beach and lake which is great for the kids. The problem is that most of the group is coming up from CT, while one family live in SE New Hampshire. We'd like to find something geographically equidistant. The prerequisites:

• Geographically equidistant from CT and Southern NH - perhaps Worcester hills in Mass, or somewhere in Southwest NH?
• Somewhat private, wooded campsites; large enough for two couples and 2-4 small children each.
• Some sort of lake/beach, or swimming hole appropriate for small kids is preferred.
• A small basic playground is definitely desired, but certainly no big entertainment center/arcade type places are desired.
• We currently camp in tents, but renting a pop-up or two has always been on the table so hook-ups might be useful, but not currently needed.
• Need a campground where reservations are required so we are assured the site we want.
• Something family-friendly. The adults usually like to hang by the fire and sling a few back after the kids are sleeping, but once 11 pm or so rolls around, quiet is preferred, i.e. no campgrounds that are known for late night partying.

Any recommendations?

 

[ChileMass]

Greg - the Sunapee area is beautiful and although I don't have personal experience with the state park or the campground, it looks perfectly nice. There's the beach on the lake and Monadnock and Sunapee are right there for hiking. Worth investigating.

 

[Greg]

Greg - the Sunapee area is beautiful and although I don't have personal experience with the state park or the campground, it looks perfectly nice. There's the beach on the lake and Monadnock and Sunapee are right there for hiking. Worth investigating.

The ski area is 3:15 for me so that's only a bit better than the 4:15 we're now doing. I'd like to find something in the 2:00 - 2:30 range tops.

 

[nelsapbm]

VT State Parks

The Vermont State Parks are nice. I know that there are a few in southern VT. Woodford State Park is very pretty. The only state parks I've camped at are on Champlain and would highly recommend them to anyone (Button Bay & Grand Isle).
Jamaica State Park might be a good bet: http://www.vtstateparks.com/img/jamaica.gif

 

[Greg]

The Vermont State Parks are nice. I know that there are a few in southern VT. Woodford State Park is very pretty. The only state parks I've camped at are on Champlain and would highly recommend them to anyone (Button Bay & Grand Isle).
Jamaica State Park might be a good bet: http://www.vtstateparks.com/img/jamaica.gif

Thanks nelsapbm. Yeah - I guess Southern VT is on the table too...

 

[ski_resort_observer]

We have camped several times at Emerald Lake State Park in Vermont. It's just north of Manchester, right off Rt 7. Nice campsites and the beach and lake are really nice. They rent canoe's and the lake is good for little kids.

 

[riverc0il]

mount monadnock has a campground, iirc. not sure if that will meet your needs, i know little about it, but it seems geographically in the area you are looking for.

 

[smitty77]

In my neck of the woods in North Central MA:
For a more rustic feel you could try Tully Lake Campground. Walk-in sites only, right on the lake (though unsure of a formal beach), canoe/kayak rentals, play area at the other end of the lake by the flood control dam (also a boat ramp there), 5 minute drive tops, or a mile walk on trails. 4-mile loop trail around the lake, and the 18-mile Tully Trail pass alongside the campground. There's a bath house with hot showers as well. About 20 min east of Greenfield, 30 min west of Leominster/Fitchburg.

Also in the area is Lake Dennison State Park in Winchendon. Nice sites, lake with a beach, plenty of walking trails nearby, Mt. Monadnock (and the Pack Monadnocks), Mount Watatic, and Mount Wachusett are about a half hour drive. I believe they have hookups.

A private CG in the area that is fairly nice is Lamb City in Royalston. They have a pond along with a nice in-ground pool. Both tent-only and trailer sites available. Apple picking nearby (though may be early) at Red Apple Farm and Pease Orchards.

There are probably more, but these are your "Best Bets" in this area, IMHO.