Family-friendly beach camping near Milton

This town puts you within reach of New Hampshire’s greatest sights.

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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 Milton guide

Overview

The little southeastern New Hampshire town of Milton is located within easy reach of some of the state’s best attractions. The town is close to the Lakes Region, one of the greatest jewels of the northeast, as well as the White Mountains and charming towns such as Hanover. If your travel plans take you to Millton, you’ll find plenty of nearby outdoor adventures, from swimming and paddling to hiking and climbing.

Where to go

Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is home to such gems as Lake Winnipesaukee (the state’s largest lake), Squam Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, and Lake Sunapee, all of which offer activities from boating and waterskiing in the summer to ice fishing in the winter. Ellacoya State Park on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee has a campground for RVs and trailers.

Pawtuckaway Lake

Under an hour south of Milton, the 803-acre Lake Pawtuckaway is a magnet for visitors who can swim and paddle in the lake and hike and bike in the surrounding Pawtuckaway State Park. Campers can stay overnight at the seasonal Pawtuckaway Campground.

White Mountains

The towering peaks, hiking trails, and waterfalls of the White Mountains are a haven for outdoor adventurers. Less than two hours north of Milton, Franconia Notch State Park is home to the Flume, a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty, and has two campgrounds.

Hanover

Home of the Ivy League Dartmouth College, Hanover also appeals to outdoor adventurers who will find many trails to choose from, including Moose Mountain and the Appalachian Trail, which runs down Main Street.

When to go

Spring and summer are the ideal times to visit to enjoy activities on the lakes and hiking on the trails—though summer visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for crowds. September and October are also appealing, with the landscape busting into rich hues of reds and oranges as the leaves turn. Winters are relatively crowd-free and offer winter sports activities.