The best camping near Manchester with horseback riding

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Lying on the Merrimack River in southern New Hampshire, Manchester promises year-round fun, from hiking and boating on lakes and rivers in summer to skiing and tubing at the city’s McIntyre Ski Area in winter. The city is also an arts and cultural destination that is home to the historic Palace Theatre and Currier Museum. In the heart of New England, Manchester also has a convenient location that’s within an hour’s drive of Boston and the Atlantic Ocean and less than two hours from the White Mountains, Lakes Region, and many other top destinations in Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

98% (1.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Manchester

1. Salamander Hollow Healing Habitat

100%
(537)
48mi from Manchester · 5 sites · Lodging
Best HipCamp Massachusetts 2023 Best HipCamp USA Finalist 2023 Best HipCamp Massachusetts Finalist 2022 THERE IS WIFI, PRIVATE HOT SHOWER and FLUSH TOILET. EXCEPT FOR THE RECENTLY ADDED TULLY 'THOREAU' ISLAND. Salamander Hollow is a private, evolving honeybee and human being sanctuary on 17 acres of land abutting Massachusetts State Forest. We currently have a one-room, wood stove warmed, cozy sleeping loft for one or two - with two benches below on either side of room - for two sleeping bags; plus, a separate 22 foot Sioux tipi with two cots. There are two chairs in the tipi, which if removed at night, make floor room for four other sleeping bags. 'Forest Bathing' for miles! If you're a larger group booking Salamander Hollow main camp with its Sleeping Library, Tipi & Slovenian Beehive House, you might consider renting this additional Tiny Cabin want to entertain all in glamping style, utilizing its amenities; as well, providing another bathroom/shower and guest bedroom for those who prefer being indoors while in the great outdoors. Note that Kula Bata Tiny Cabin abuts the wheelchair accessible larger bathroom/shower which is available to those at the Salamander Hollow main camp, yet you are secluded with your own private entry points and private bathroom. A ten minute drive takes you to the parking area to hike up Tully Mountain. There is a grill, wood fired pizza oven, two fire pits and a hygienic Incinolet electric toilet on the property for night convenience, with small camp sinks for washing & teeth brushing. Take a short hike off the property to organic Chase Hill Farm for milk, eggs, seasonal veggies, grass fed meat and other goodies. Say hello to their cows, chickens, pigs, goats, pups and kids. Nestled across the road from Salamander Hollow is Timber Haven Farm, where you can schedule your pickup of bacon and eggs, while loading up on delicious Owl Energy Bars for your adventurous excursions. For those interested in the glamping side of camping, you will enjoy a remote rustic experience with a few creature comforts to keep you well read, clean and fed. Please bring your own bedding - pillows, sleeping bags, comforter, teddy bears.There is a wall mounted blue tooth car radio/CD player in Sleeping Library, so bring your pre-digital favorites. Classical CDs to listen to. Lots of eclectic books to peruse.Walkie talkies, a set of 4, are available upon request. Chess & poker sets, too. Electric 2-burner stovetop and griddle upon request. Bring fire-starters/newspaper for tinder. We suggest if you are staying more than a night or two in winter, you bring supplemental wood or we can direct you to a nearby stand. Next season, our own cut and split wood will be seasoned and available on site. We ask that you carry out trash and recyclables. An established Western facing four point sacred Medicine Wheel site being established on Askari Ridge - our name for the slope starting with the two fire pits - 'Askari' being Swahili for night guard. Here is where we envision a great touch-point area for those leading groups to be for a base-camp by day or night, where eventually a multi-use tenting platform/performance stage will be constructed for outdoor entertainment, creating an authentic 'stadium style' seating on the hill. You will see on your way up to Salamander Hollow main clearing - the Kula Bata Tiny Kabin on the left of the dirt road- now available to rent with its small guest room for two, infrared sauna, hot shower, kitchenette, dishwasher and laundry.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$75
 / night

2. Hussey Mountain Tree Farm

100%
(435)
31mi from Manchester · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
ATFS Certified Tree Farm Est. 2004 Camp with your group at our private Tree Farm / Conservation / Recreation Area. Established in 2004, we are an 87 acre ATFS certified Tree Farm located in the Blue Hills Range in the Foothills to NH’s White Mountains. Choose from one of four unique sites / outdoor spaces to best fit your camping needs; book a combination to reserve a section of the mountain, or book all four sites for total privacy or for events. Our Farm spans the northerly side of Hussey Mountain from the base to the summit. Guests are provided with private access to several miles of multi-use nature trails, multiple scenic lookouts, a three acre PYO blueberry maze, and a dock on our private eight acre pond with available boat rentals. At the 2WD shared parking area guests are provided with a outdoor shower with hot and cold water, a portable toilet, garden hose for washing, a power strip for charging devices, and a spigot with potable water for filling containers. Over two decades ago we created our first campsite for the purpose of hosting family and friends. Folks enjoyed camping on the mountain so much they often would choose our farm over traditional campgrounds. Hosting campers became a regular weekend event, and to accommodate more people we created three more sites spread out across the property. In 2020, we came across the Hipcamp app and started offering private reservations to the public. Since, we have been hosting campers on a daily basis and continuously improving our sites / infrastructure / views. We’re excited to see what the next two decades hold; come join us on the mountain! Things to do on the mountain SPRING-FALL include… Hiking on several miles of maintained nature trails marked with clear signage for easy day/night navigation. Relaxing/taking in the scenery from several scenic lookouts located on and around the mountain’s summit; combined they provide a 360-degree view spanning from the NH/ME Seacoast to the White Mountains of NH, to the Green Mountains of VT. Fishing, paddling, swimming, or relaxing on our dock. Bird/wildlife watching, berry picking, stargazing and leaf peeping. This is a place you can easily spend a few days and keep busy!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$74
 / night

3. Owl's Nest

98%
(27)
28mi from Manchester · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
We are located on a private 36 acres of mostly woodland. We abut 100 acres of conservation land and another 100 acres of private woodlands. Park at the end of the dirt portion of Farley Rd and it is a short 5 minute hike to the campsites. There is a marsh and a creek on the property that support myriad wildlife. There are owls, loons, eagles, hawks, hermit thrushes, robins, turkeys, song birds and herons. There are deer, moose, bear(don't leave your food out!), chipmunks, squirrels, opossum, raccoons(don't leave your food out!), skunks, minks, otters and many other species in our neighborhood. We live at the end of a dead end road with very little traffic. No potable water provided, bring a filter and filter fresh water while you are here. Outhouse is completed and has a separate trail off of the white blaze trail. Just before the Quiet campsite there is a trail for the outhouse on the right. Thank you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

6. Peaceful Convenience

100%
(53)
40mi from Manchester · 2 sites · Lodging
Come experience New England, embrace the silence, enjoy this 2.5 Acres property Abutting over 100 acres of protected wetlands with access to a private Home; bathroom, screened in porch, use of kitchen for coffee etc. all to enjoy. A babbling brook, hammock trees, peaceful, and serene. The surrounding area is a right to farm community with local beautiful farms within five minutes in every direction property is on a known bike route (2 bikes available for use) The town host a wonderful winery local coffee shop and hiking trails (map book on site) multiple area conservation lands. Bolton is known for its apple farms in the fall for picking and spring time blossoms. August through September harvest (my favorite) plenty of pick your own everything! We have great historic towns surrounding us like concord, Harvard and Hudson voted best small town in America, so much history, dinning etc. cross country skiing. Convenient location to Boston. If looking for an stress free escape the home also offers 2 guest rooms available for rent within a meditative shared space. Fire pit outdoors, fireplace in doors.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$50
 / night

8. Pitch Perfect at Canterbrook

99%
(662)
26mi from Manchester · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Formerly a competitive equestrian event facility, Pitch Perfect at Canterbrook is situated on a 300+ acre property consisting of agricultural farm land of all types. We have hills, streams, ponds, wetlands, meadows, and heavily wooded areas available for your exploration. Situated only an hour from Boston off of I 93, and less than 30 miles away from the famous Lake Winnipesaukee, we are perched on a picturesque dirt road in the beautiful country town of Canterbury New Hampshire. Popular attractions within a stone’s throw from us include; a gorgeous walk back in time at Canterbury’s Shaker Village, Golfing at Canterbury Woods, a unique pint of ale at Canterbury Aleworks, fabulous pick-your-own fruits and vegetables at Hackleboro Orchard, OR if you find yourself running low on supplies, Canterbury Country Store boasts having at least one of everything and is situated only one mile away from your campsite! If you need more city life amenities like grocery stores or restaurants, the capitol city of Concord to the south, and the town of Tilton to the north, are a breeze to access and are less than 20 minutes away.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

13. Private site close to attractions

99%
(47)
41mi from Manchester · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Large camping spot on the edge of a 125-acre farm. Site has an open area with sunny or shaded place to set up camp. Guests are welcome to walk or hike around the property. There are open fields and some rough hiking trails (wear good shoes!) Small stream runs through the property and there are wild turkeys, deer and other wildlife about. This is a rustic site with picnic table, fire ring and chemical toilet. Pretty and peaceful. Plenty of room to pull in a motorhome, camper or pop up Convenient to most locations in Southern Maine and NH. Located near the center of town, there are stores and restaurants within a 5-minute drive. Excellent location to be away from tourist areas but close enough to visit -Beaches 20-30 minutes, RT 95-15 mins, Portland 45; Portsmouth-45 mins, Kittery Outlets -30 mins. White Mountains 1 hour 30 mins.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night

15. Private Forest with a View!

98%
(25)
48mi from Manchester · 1 site · Lodging
Learn more about this land: 🌿 Nature Lovers Only 🌿 We love welcoming guests from the city, but this is a peaceful nature escape, not a party spot. Come because you love the outdoors—quiet nights, starry skies, and forest trails. ⛺️ Glamp in a Lotus Belle Star Gazer tent at the top of New Morning North Farm in NH. Private drive, trails from your site, and a view in the woods. A friendly mule and horse live on the property. 🛏 Furnished Tent Includes: 2 twin & 2 queen futons (stackable) Shelf w/ books, light Extra blankets, chairs Bring your own bedding if possible—extras available on request. 🚽 Compostable toilet (clean, stocked). 🚫 No shower—swim in local lakes or use showers at nearby Colby-Sawyer gym. 🔥 Campfire pit (wood included), charcoal grill, table & chairs. Please bring newspaper and a lighter and there's plenty of sticks in the woods to get the fire going. 🧒 Kid-Friendly Fun: Treehouse and natural playground (zipline currently down) Multiple stick forts that you can add to! Help feed horses/chickens (per request) Frog pond, ducks, and our friendly (loud!) farm dog, Hector. No guest dogs without approval—please ask! 🌊 Nearby: Grafton Pond, Cole Pond, Pleasant Lake, Lake Sunapee, and Mascoma Lake. Mt Cardigan and My Kearsarge plus many smaller hikes. New London and Enfield(10 mins), Hanover, and Lebanon (~30 mins). Just over an hour from Boston. 📩 Questions or ready to book? Message us!
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$150
 / night

19. Country Camping

95%
(21)
10mi from Manchester · 1 site · RV
THIS CAN BE RENTED AS A CAMPSITE ONLY. Our 3-acre property is surrounded by beautiful countryside with lots country charm. At one point in the early 1900's it was home to itinerant farmers who farmed the nearby fields. Our property was the dumping grounds for the stones/rocks that were pulled from the fields. You will notice lots of them throughout the property! Our site is a well manicured area near our house on a 3-acre parcel. There is lots of sun and shade depending on when and where you happen to be on the site. There is plenty of space to pull out your favorite lawn game and a great firepit to keep warm at night. We are about 10 minutes from Clough State Park where there is plenty to do including swimming, paddling, biking, hiking, ATVing, etc. Our site has 50amp service and filtered well water (2 spigots). Depending on how long your RV is, you may not be able to put our your awning all the way.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$81
 / night

Lying on the Merrimack River in southern New Hampshire, Manchester promises year-round fun, from hiking and boating on lakes and rivers in summer to skiing and tubing at the city’s McIntyre Ski Area in winter. The city is also an arts and cultural destination that is home to the historic Palace Theatre and Currier Museum. In the heart of New England, Manchester also has a convenient location that’s within an hour’s drive of Boston and the Atlantic Ocean and less than two hours from the White Mountains, Lakes Region, and many other top destinations in Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

98% (1.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Manchester

1. Salamander Hollow Healing Habitat

100%
(537)
48mi from Manchester · 5 sites · Lodging
Best HipCamp Massachusetts 2023 Best HipCamp USA Finalist 2023 Best HipCamp Massachusetts Finalist 2022 THERE IS WIFI, PRIVATE HOT SHOWER and FLUSH TOILET. EXCEPT FOR THE RECENTLY ADDED TULLY 'THOREAU' ISLAND. Salamander Hollow is a private, evolving honeybee and human being sanctuary on 17 acres of land abutting Massachusetts State Forest. We currently have a one-room, wood stove warmed, cozy sleeping loft for one or two - with two benches below on either side of room - for two sleeping bags; plus, a separate 22 foot Sioux tipi with two cots. There are two chairs in the tipi, which if removed at night, make floor room for four other sleeping bags. 'Forest Bathing' for miles! If you're a larger group booking Salamander Hollow main camp with its Sleeping Library, Tipi & Slovenian Beehive House, you might consider renting this additional Tiny Cabin want to entertain all in glamping style, utilizing its amenities; as well, providing another bathroom/shower and guest bedroom for those who prefer being indoors while in the great outdoors. Note that Kula Bata Tiny Cabin abuts the wheelchair accessible larger bathroom/shower which is available to those at the Salamander Hollow main camp, yet you are secluded with your own private entry points and private bathroom. A ten minute drive takes you to the parking area to hike up Tully Mountain. There is a grill, wood fired pizza oven, two fire pits and a hygienic Incinolet electric toilet on the property for night convenience, with small camp sinks for washing & teeth brushing. Take a short hike off the property to organic Chase Hill Farm for milk, eggs, seasonal veggies, grass fed meat and other goodies. Say hello to their cows, chickens, pigs, goats, pups and kids. Nestled across the road from Salamander Hollow is Timber Haven Farm, where you can schedule your pickup of bacon and eggs, while loading up on delicious Owl Energy Bars for your adventurous excursions. For those interested in the glamping side of camping, you will enjoy a remote rustic experience with a few creature comforts to keep you well read, clean and fed. Please bring your own bedding - pillows, sleeping bags, comforter, teddy bears.There is a wall mounted blue tooth car radio/CD player in Sleeping Library, so bring your pre-digital favorites. Classical CDs to listen to. Lots of eclectic books to peruse.Walkie talkies, a set of 4, are available upon request. Chess & poker sets, too. Electric 2-burner stovetop and griddle upon request. Bring fire-starters/newspaper for tinder. We suggest if you are staying more than a night or two in winter, you bring supplemental wood or we can direct you to a nearby stand. Next season, our own cut and split wood will be seasoned and available on site. We ask that you carry out trash and recyclables. An established Western facing four point sacred Medicine Wheel site being established on Askari Ridge - our name for the slope starting with the two fire pits - 'Askari' being Swahili for night guard. Here is where we envision a great touch-point area for those leading groups to be for a base-camp by day or night, where eventually a multi-use tenting platform/performance stage will be constructed for outdoor entertainment, creating an authentic 'stadium style' seating on the hill. You will see on your way up to Salamander Hollow main clearing - the Kula Bata Tiny Kabin on the left of the dirt road- now available to rent with its small guest room for two, infrared sauna, hot shower, kitchenette, dishwasher and laundry.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$75
 / night

2. Hussey Mountain Tree Farm

100%
(435)
31mi from Manchester · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
ATFS Certified Tree Farm Est. 2004 Camp with your group at our private Tree Farm / Conservation / Recreation Area. Established in 2004, we are an 87 acre ATFS certified Tree Farm located in the Blue Hills Range in the Foothills to NH’s White Mountains. Choose from one of four unique sites / outdoor spaces to best fit your camping needs; book a combination to reserve a section of the mountain, or book all four sites for total privacy or for events. Our Farm spans the northerly side of Hussey Mountain from the base to the summit. Guests are provided with private access to several miles of multi-use nature trails, multiple scenic lookouts, a three acre PYO blueberry maze, and a dock on our private eight acre pond with available boat rentals. At the 2WD shared parking area guests are provided with a outdoor shower with hot and cold water, a portable toilet, garden hose for washing, a power strip for charging devices, and a spigot with potable water for filling containers. Over two decades ago we created our first campsite for the purpose of hosting family and friends. Folks enjoyed camping on the mountain so much they often would choose our farm over traditional campgrounds. Hosting campers became a regular weekend event, and to accommodate more people we created three more sites spread out across the property. In 2020, we came across the Hipcamp app and started offering private reservations to the public. Since, we have been hosting campers on a daily basis and continuously improving our sites / infrastructure / views. We’re excited to see what the next two decades hold; come join us on the mountain! Things to do on the mountain SPRING-FALL include… Hiking on several miles of maintained nature trails marked with clear signage for easy day/night navigation. Relaxing/taking in the scenery from several scenic lookouts located on and around the mountain’s summit; combined they provide a 360-degree view spanning from the NH/ME Seacoast to the White Mountains of NH, to the Green Mountains of VT. Fishing, paddling, swimming, or relaxing on our dock. Bird/wildlife watching, berry picking, stargazing and leaf peeping. This is a place you can easily spend a few days and keep busy!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$74
 / night

3. Owl's Nest

98%
(27)
28mi from Manchester · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
We are located on a private 36 acres of mostly woodland. We abut 100 acres of conservation land and another 100 acres of private woodlands. Park at the end of the dirt portion of Farley Rd and it is a short 5 minute hike to the campsites. There is a marsh and a creek on the property that support myriad wildlife. There are owls, loons, eagles, hawks, hermit thrushes, robins, turkeys, song birds and herons. There are deer, moose, bear(don't leave your food out!), chipmunks, squirrels, opossum, raccoons(don't leave your food out!), skunks, minks, otters and many other species in our neighborhood. We live at the end of a dead end road with very little traffic. No potable water provided, bring a filter and filter fresh water while you are here. Outhouse is completed and has a separate trail off of the white blaze trail. Just before the Quiet campsite there is a trail for the outhouse on the right. Thank you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

6. Peaceful Convenience

100%
(53)
40mi from Manchester · 2 sites · Lodging
Come experience New England, embrace the silence, enjoy this 2.5 Acres property Abutting over 100 acres of protected wetlands with access to a private Home; bathroom, screened in porch, use of kitchen for coffee etc. all to enjoy. A babbling brook, hammock trees, peaceful, and serene. The surrounding area is a right to farm community with local beautiful farms within five minutes in every direction property is on a known bike route (2 bikes available for use) The town host a wonderful winery local coffee shop and hiking trails (map book on site) multiple area conservation lands. Bolton is known for its apple farms in the fall for picking and spring time blossoms. August through September harvest (my favorite) plenty of pick your own everything! We have great historic towns surrounding us like concord, Harvard and Hudson voted best small town in America, so much history, dinning etc. cross country skiing. Convenient location to Boston. If looking for an stress free escape the home also offers 2 guest rooms available for rent within a meditative shared space. Fire pit outdoors, fireplace in doors.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$50
 / night

8. Pitch Perfect at Canterbrook

99%
(662)
26mi from Manchester · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Formerly a competitive equestrian event facility, Pitch Perfect at Canterbrook is situated on a 300+ acre property consisting of agricultural farm land of all types. We have hills, streams, ponds, wetlands, meadows, and heavily wooded areas available for your exploration. Situated only an hour from Boston off of I 93, and less than 30 miles away from the famous Lake Winnipesaukee, we are perched on a picturesque dirt road in the beautiful country town of Canterbury New Hampshire. Popular attractions within a stone’s throw from us include; a gorgeous walk back in time at Canterbury’s Shaker Village, Golfing at Canterbury Woods, a unique pint of ale at Canterbury Aleworks, fabulous pick-your-own fruits and vegetables at Hackleboro Orchard, OR if you find yourself running low on supplies, Canterbury Country Store boasts having at least one of everything and is situated only one mile away from your campsite! If you need more city life amenities like grocery stores or restaurants, the capitol city of Concord to the south, and the town of Tilton to the north, are a breeze to access and are less than 20 minutes away.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

13. Private site close to attractions

99%
(47)
41mi from Manchester · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Large camping spot on the edge of a 125-acre farm. Site has an open area with sunny or shaded place to set up camp. Guests are welcome to walk or hike around the property. There are open fields and some rough hiking trails (wear good shoes!) Small stream runs through the property and there are wild turkeys, deer and other wildlife about. This is a rustic site with picnic table, fire ring and chemical toilet. Pretty and peaceful. Plenty of room to pull in a motorhome, camper or pop up Convenient to most locations in Southern Maine and NH. Located near the center of town, there are stores and restaurants within a 5-minute drive. Excellent location to be away from tourist areas but close enough to visit -Beaches 20-30 minutes, RT 95-15 mins, Portland 45; Portsmouth-45 mins, Kittery Outlets -30 mins. White Mountains 1 hour 30 mins.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night

15. Private Forest with a View!

98%
(25)
48mi from Manchester · 1 site · Lodging
Learn more about this land: 🌿 Nature Lovers Only 🌿 We love welcoming guests from the city, but this is a peaceful nature escape, not a party spot. Come because you love the outdoors—quiet nights, starry skies, and forest trails. ⛺️ Glamp in a Lotus Belle Star Gazer tent at the top of New Morning North Farm in NH. Private drive, trails from your site, and a view in the woods. A friendly mule and horse live on the property. 🛏 Furnished Tent Includes: 2 twin & 2 queen futons (stackable) Shelf w/ books, light Extra blankets, chairs Bring your own bedding if possible—extras available on request. 🚽 Compostable toilet (clean, stocked). 🚫 No shower—swim in local lakes or use showers at nearby Colby-Sawyer gym. 🔥 Campfire pit (wood included), charcoal grill, table & chairs. Please bring newspaper and a lighter and there's plenty of sticks in the woods to get the fire going. 🧒 Kid-Friendly Fun: Treehouse and natural playground (zipline currently down) Multiple stick forts that you can add to! Help feed horses/chickens (per request) Frog pond, ducks, and our friendly (loud!) farm dog, Hector. No guest dogs without approval—please ask! 🌊 Nearby: Grafton Pond, Cole Pond, Pleasant Lake, Lake Sunapee, and Mascoma Lake. Mt Cardigan and My Kearsarge plus many smaller hikes. New London and Enfield(10 mins), Hanover, and Lebanon (~30 mins). Just over an hour from Boston. 📩 Questions or ready to book? Message us!
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$150
 / night

19. Country Camping

95%
(21)
10mi from Manchester · 1 site · RV
THIS CAN BE RENTED AS A CAMPSITE ONLY. Our 3-acre property is surrounded by beautiful countryside with lots country charm. At one point in the early 1900's it was home to itinerant farmers who farmed the nearby fields. Our property was the dumping grounds for the stones/rocks that were pulled from the fields. You will notice lots of them throughout the property! Our site is a well manicured area near our house on a 3-acre parcel. There is lots of sun and shade depending on when and where you happen to be on the site. There is plenty of space to pull out your favorite lawn game and a great firepit to keep warm at night. We are about 10 minutes from Clough State Park where there is plenty to do including swimming, paddling, biking, hiking, ATVing, etc. Our site has 50amp service and filtered well water (2 spigots). Depending on how long your RV is, you may not be able to put our your awning all the way.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$81
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best camping near Manchester with horseback riding guide

Where to go

Massabesic Lake

About a 10-minute drive west of downtown, Massabesic Lake covers 2,500 acres and is a popular spot for boating, sailing, and fishing. Around 50 miles of multi-use trails surround the lake for use by hikers and bikers.

Lakes Region

Home to the state’s largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as Squam Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, and Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire's Lakes Region offers an abundance of outdoor activities, from paddling and swimming in the summer to ice fishing and skating in the winter. On the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, camping is available at Ellacoya State Park Campground, an hour’s drive north of Manchester.

White Mountains

The hardwood forests, alpine peaks, and towering mountains of the White Mountains National Forest are less than two hours from Manchester. Within the area, Echo Lake State Park offers canoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking, while Crawford Notch State Park has waterfalls and camping at its Dry River Campground.

When to go

While spring and summer are the most popular times to visit, Manchester and its surrounding area are four-season destinations. Summer is perfect for getting out onto the water; fall offers the chance to enjoy the spectacle of the landscape blazing with rich hues as the leaves turn, while winter promises snowy adventures, from skiing to ice fishing.