Family-friendly beach camping near Concord

The Granite State’s capital offers easy access to all-season adventure.

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Souhegan Shores

2 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Merrimack, NH

21Apr'24 Update: The road in to the sites is drying out and the soft spots are firming up. All the same, if we get a lot of rain this May, please don't drive to Merrimack and book the site 10 minutes before your expected arrival? (I think somebody must have booked it from my driveway) Best to check first with your host to ensure the access road is passable to your type of vehicle. (back to our regularly scheduled camp description...) Camp alongside the tree lined bank of the Souhegan River. Fall to sleep to the sound of river flowing over the rocks up stream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to a 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp above the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of white pine and shag bark hickory and listen to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. On the other side of the fence is a pasture where two horses graze. If you don't like friendly dogs then you'll be better off on site 2 where we can better keep our dog Wilson from dropping in to visit. He loves people too much not to want to greet folks on Site 1. Site-2 is located at the downstream end of the property and is completely private. You'll see nothing from your site but trees and the river. If you or your dog don't like dogs, this is the site you want. It's far easier to keep Wilson away from this corner of the property. The other side of the river is town conservation land so the only people you're likely to see will be passing by in canoes or kayaks. In the dry season, this is a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since the rapids upstream become unpassable in late July and August. Now that TENTRR has gone bankrupt, Site 2 is available year round. If planning a winter trip, just check ahead to ensure your host has finished plowing the access road. If southern NH gets really clobbered with snow, check with your host about the possibility of constructing snow caves.

Family-friendly beach camping near Concord guide

Overview

Many travelers whiz through New Hampshire’s state capital on their way to the White Mountains or Lakes Region. But there’s plenty that makes Concord a destination in its own right. The city is a cultural center, home to a charming, historic Main Street, great restaurants, cultural venues and stores. There’s also the gold-domed State House; McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center where you can learn about the history of space exploration and see NASA artifacts, and, within just a few miles of downtown, trails, rivers, and lakes to explore.

Where to go

In Town

Meandering through the city center, the Merrimack River provides ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, offering an outdoors experience within city limits. Outfitters in town rent paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks. On the western side of town, 85-acre Winant Park is laced with short but steep trails.

Lakes Region

An hour’s drive gets you to Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake, which together with Squam, Winnisquam, Newfound, and Ossipee lakes forms the Lakes Region. It’s an all-season destination where activities on offer range from hiking and boating in summer to skiing on Gunstock Mountain in winter. On the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, Ellacoya State Park has a campground for RVs and trailers.

White Mountains

An hour and a half from Concord, the White Mountains are an all-season haven for outdoor adventurers. You can drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest; go skiing in Bretton Woods, and hike or ride the cog railway to the summit of Mount Washington. Overnight options range from RV parks to dispersed camping.

When to Go

Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the trails and river activities, making these the most popular seasons to visit Concord and the surrounding area. September and October have a different appeal, with cooler temperatures and the landscape busting into rich fall colors: driving the Kancamagus Highway is a great way to view foliage. Winter offers an entirely different experience and opportunities for activities including skiing and dog sledding.