The best camping near Otter River State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Otter River State Forest adventure.

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Discover the natural charm of Otter River State Forest.

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Stay at a public campground in Otter River State Forest

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Otter River Campground

75 sites · RVs, Tents In Otter River State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Otter River State Forest

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Souhegan Shores

2 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Merrimack, NH

Camp by the river bank of the Souhegan River under shade of oak, hickory, blue birch, hemlock and white pine. Let the song of the rapids sing you to sleep. Maybe the resident owls will join the serenade. This slice of heaven is only 5 minutes from the Everett Turnpike and within an hour from Boston. Weather concerns? The best forecast we've found for Merrimack is https://www.wmur.com/weather. Want to see what the river is doing? Check out https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/SOHN3. 500 CFS is a sporty run with canoe or kayak. SPECIAL NOTE: June 2nd Update River is at a nice level for boating for experienced boaters. A little pushy for swimmers. Roads dried out nicely and are passable. The wet and now June heat is bringing out the mosquitos. Bring your repellent and a Thermocell. Keeping the campfire burning helps as well. More description... Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to our 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp near the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade while listening to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the chest deep swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. Two horses graze on the other side of the privacy fence. If you don't like friendly dogs try site 2 where we have a better chance of keeping 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 at the farthest most downstream end of the property and from mid-May to mid-October it is totally screened by foliage. From your site you only see trees and the river. If you don't like other dogs, this is the site you want. Still no guarantee Wilson won't visit, but it's 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 kayaks or on paddleboards. In dry season, both sites are a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since rapids up stream become impassable wet rocks in July and August. You are only two traffic lights away from the Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall if you need something to do during inclement weather.

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Grateful Acres Vermont

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · West Dover, VT

Learn more about this land: Welcome to Grateful Acres Vermont, a 420 friendly, Grateful Dead inspired camping destination in the heart of the Green Mountains. We have space available for tents, campers, and trailers. Kayaks available to rent for use at the reservoir located just up the road. Just a family with some land in Vermont that we would like to share. PLEASE OBSERVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT

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Sunrise Farm

9 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · East Dover, VT

Voted 3rd in Vermont by Hip Camp 2022 6 Sites are on Sunrise Farms 75 acre Conservation land with 50 mile view for Sites 1 and 2. Very quiet area with lots of wildlife and ponds and disc golf. Very quiet with great swimming and lots of hikes right from your sites. 2 of the Brookside Sites (Wishbone Left and Right) are close by (2.7 miles) where we have another 1/2 mile of river frontage and can handle bigger groups as Conservation land on Sunrise Farm only allows 4 campers per site. Sunrise Farm Sites 1 and 2 have oodles of space and Spectacular 50 mile views of Mount Monadnock with no house lights out there in the evening except the party string lights we provide. Site 1 (with entrance 70 yards south of the farmhouse) is best for camping in with up to 20 foot trailers or multiple tents …on the large flat spaces in the 25 acre field to choose from. Great Well water available near farmhouse. Biodegradable soaps Only if used in the ponds. Double Olympic sized Swim Pond we stock with Rainbow Trout to keep clear. We have been advised Not to allow imported firewood (can import Wood Beetle dangerous for our forest). - PLEASE use the Firewood bundle tubs we provide ($12.50) - pick up at the farmhouse or pull wood from the woods (and make it safer for use). Beautiful and plenty of wildlife nearby... as well as Outhouses are marked on Map we provide with solar lights marking them at night. Do Not Leave food out when camping or away from site. Bears are rarely seen but it is wild country. Sites have locking garbage lids. Unique and lovely as well as being next to trails and roads to miles of remote spots with very few if any ... people. In Winter we request only AWD vehicles go down to this site or park up by farmhouse and hike in so you can easily get out. When wet park up by the road if you have 2 wheel drive. Always WISE to arrive When LIGHT out as we do not live at the site and are not able to show guests to their sites as a result.

Booked 1 time

River Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Newfane, VT

River side land off Route 100 in Wardsboro. Great private swimming area and small beach. Parking available as well as fire wood and a fire pit. Bring your tent and set up where ever you choose. Queer owned and operated

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Salamander Hollow Healing Habitat

5 sites · Lodging17 acres · Warwick, MA

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.

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Tripp Mine Gemstones & Camping

7 sites · Tents104 acres · Alstead, NH

Green Maple Farms and Tripp and Clark Mine. 104 acres, this unique property includes two mines with Aquamarine, Beryl, Feldspar, Mica, Pegmatite, Garnets, and more! Multiple creeks/brooks feeding the Island Mine and Cranberry Ponds. Minutes from Lake Warren, 15 minutes outside of Keene NH.

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Maple Ridge Farm

9 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Guilford, VT

Welcome 2025, this is our 6th season hosting campers! Enjoy all Summer has to offer in the Vermont Countryside yet closer than you think. Our farm is nestled along a country road between several other farms, mostly horses and a special needs/therapy farm, we are hobby farmers/homesteaders. We have three sites open anytime, during camping season (May thru October), they’re all three tent camping sites but after that closes down for the season (November 1st) we open up for camper vans and small trailers (also in early Spring). If there is any question please ask, we can modify the schedule but are only able to accommodate three sites at any given time. Thanks and PLEASE email if you have any questions! The Guilford Fairgrounds is less than 1/4 mile away and has many hiking and biking trails. The land was originally part of a colonial Glebe Trust with the Church of England and divided up, the original 100+ year farmhouse and barn can be seen from many of the campsites. Guilford, Vermont is located in the southeast of Windham County, resting along the Massachusetts border to the south and New Hampshire not far to the east. A community with a long and interesting history, Guilford was actually Vermont’s largest town as long ago as 1790. Now, with a population of about 2,100, Guilford is by no means considered a large community. Yet with its beautiful old covered bridges, churches, and one-room schoolhouse, Guilford maintains an unmistakable sense of history while at the same time having a reputation as one of the truly unique small communities in southern Vermont. Guilford has some of the most quintessential small town landmarks in all of Vermont. Sites like the Christ Church, Broad Brook House, and Guilford Center Meeting House were all built in the early 19th Century and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are found in what is considered the historic Guilford Center; shop for great local products at the Guilford Country Store, visit the charming Guilford Free Library, or even see some of the exhibits at the Guilford Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area and its history. Beyond the town center, venturing through the rest of Guilford will enable you to see the beautiful Vermont landscape of rolli

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Sweet Song Acres

4 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Charlestown, NH

Sweet Song Acres is 100+ acres of secluded forest nestled along the Little Sugar River, at the base of Perry Mountain. Located in rural Unity, NH and Charlestown, NH, just across the Vermont state line. Southernmost point, located in Charlestown is one of two campsites. The other is Shady Grove, located in Unity. The two sites, located in bordering towns share the same entrance and are connected by a 1/4 mile trail. Both are very large sites. Campers would drive to both sites down a trail so we highly recommend a vehicle with decent clearance and 4WD or AWD. Southernmost Point is a fully drive-in site. Shady Grove campers park above the site and the campsite is down a short path, just a few hundred feet or so. The property consists of varied terrain of rock ledges, lush moss, streams, and panoramic views at the summit. There are many options of local outdoor activities in the area or if you prefer, just sit and "listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul".

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Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground

100 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Littleton, MA

Escape the bustle without sacrificing convenience at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Nestled in historic Littleton’s pine forests, our campground offers a peaceful retreat steps away from iconic National Historic Parks and Walden Pond. Choose wooded or open sites for your RV or tent, enjoy modern amenities like our heated pool and rec hall, and let the kids and pups run free in the playground and dog runs. Need a break from cooking? Our camp store has you covered, plus local restaurants deliver! Cozy cabins are also available. Don’t miss out on this unique blend of nature and city access – book your stay today! Relax in the heart of history at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Our campground’s tranquil, wooded setting near legendary Walden Pond and National Historic Parks offers the perfect escape from everyday life. Whether you’re in an RV, tent, or one of our cozy cabins, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable adventure: picnic tables, fire rings, full hookups, plus a heated pool, playground, rec hall, and even dog runs for your furry companions. Need a break from camp cooking? Our well-stocked camp store has essentials, and nearby restaurants offer takeout and delivery options for those lazy campground evenings. Explore the rich history of the region, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility, or take a quick trip into Boston – the choice is yours! Spacious Skies Minute Man provides a unique blend of outdoor adventure and urban access. Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of both worlds! Our prime location and fantastic amenities mean sites fill up quickly. Book your getaway today and create memories that will last a lifetime at Spacious Skies Minute Man.

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Waterfront Woodsy Glamping

5 sites · Lodging27 acres · Bennington, NH

Find some info and links to a few of the unique accommodations on our property, in Southern NH, which is 27 acres on the Contoocook River and Powder Mill Pond. Be it swimming, kayaking, boating, sunning, hiking, biking, or fishing; spectacular fall foliage, and bird watching or winter sports like skiing, boarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing,....take time out to enjoy what nature has to offer to the fullest, right here in your new backyard. Explore nature’s wonderland; starting with 27 acres of woods and waterfront beauty on Powder Mill Pond and the Contoocook River. During the warmer weather, you can hop in one of the kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats, (on-site for a small rental fee), sunbathe on the refreshing 30 ft. lily pad, or simply relax in the swing or hammock looking out over Mount Monadnock. During the winter, cross country ski, ice skate or fish or strap-on a pair of the complimentary snowshoes, ...while year round, enjoy sharing s’mores and stories by the fire pit!

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Turtle Bend Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Russell, MA

30+ Acres of cozy south-facing slope nestled in the Berkshire foothills of Western MA. Right along the Westfield River, glorious views of rolling hills and cows and sheep frolicking in their pasture abound! This mid-century horse farm property is being transitioned into a perennial plant nursery with a focus on delicious fruits, pollinator flowers and medicinal herbs - with cows, sheep and more!

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The Moose Caboose Country Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Phillipston, MA

12.5 acres of beautiful fields, stonewalls with rolling hills and apple trees. privacy and with a peaceful country setting. Free raspberries from raspberry bushes when in season. Enjoy the multiple activities at near by Pristine Queen Lake with a sandy beach and swimming. Brooks woodland preserve Hiking Trails. Harvard Forest hiking trails. Nearby Red Apple Farm country store and Brew Barn. Nearby Petersham Country store is great store for coffee, breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and many other great items.

The best camping near Otter River State Forest guide

Overview

About

Explore the forested beauty of north central Massachusetts when you pitch your tent at Otter River State Forest. This place will have you singing sweet songs of freedom as you immerse yourself in the great outdoors. With prime spots right on the shore, you can wake up to the shimmering greatness that is Beaman Pond. Want to spice things up a bit? Snag one of the nomadic yurts of awesomeness to crash in. You get all the rugged escape you want with a zing of trendiness. Whether you're down for some fishing, buoy wading, or trail exploring, you’ll love your time at Otter River.

Notable campgrounds

Standard Campsites: Nestle into nature at one of the 76 campsites, perfect for tent and small RV camping.
Yurts: Experience a unique stay in one of the forest's yurts, blending rustic charm with a touch of comfort.
Group Sites: Gather your crew for a memorable group camping experience amid the forest's serene backdrop.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot, especially during peak summer months when the forest's allure is at its zenith.
Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter camping experience.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies; last-minute openings can be your ticket to an impromptu getaway.
Explore nearby camping options to maximize your chances of finding the perfect site.

When to go

The best time to visit Otter River State Forest is from late spring to early fall, when the park is fully accessible and activities like swimming and hiking can be enjoyed to the fullest. Winter brings a quiet beauty, though some facilities may be limited.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly, as conditions can change rapidly in the forest.
Remember that parking fees apply from May 14 to Labor Day, with different rates for MA residents and non-residents.
Accessibility is a priority, with options available for accessible camping to ensure everyone can enjoy the park.
Adhere to the park's restrictions, including no alcohol, on-leash dogs, and swimming only in designated areas.
Facilities such as restrooms, showers, and picnic areas enhance your visit, providing convenience amid the wilderness.

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4 ratings · 3 reviews

Recommends

· May 2019

Otter River Campground

This is a family favorite that my grandparents used to go to. Unfortuntetely due to run-off from a new construction site the swimming area was closed the last time we were there. Awesome Yurt Camping and Tent Camping. So peaceful and abundant wild blueberries to find and pick!

Carissa L.

4 reviews

July 2018

Otter River Campground

This is a nice family campground The sites are decent size..some are right next to each other...a few others are a bit more private. But it was clean...have access to Lake Dennison park too. If your looking for complete silence...book one of the farms on here close to you...super fun! But if you want bathrooms/shower...great area to walk around...easy pull up and camp....this is a good pick! And cheap to boot! $14 day Mass resident. .. $17 for out of staters. ...can't beat that! And close to the market for supplies and restaurants

Gary T.

11 reviews

Recommends

· August 2017

Otter River Campground

Very courteous staff - let us know when a big storm was headed our way, Small pond is good for little kids but for more swimming head to Lake Dennison either by trail from campground or short drive. GREAT SHOWERS!!!!! Nice place to camp when you want to get away but not too far away.