New Hampshire
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
New Hampshire landed in US history books for being the first American state to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Later, its abundant water supply helped New Hampshire evolve into a highly-industrialized state. Yet, the land named after Hampshire in England is not lacking in natural beauty. RVers will find its many ocean beaches and striking peaks a joy to watch and explore.New Hampshire in Regions
Referred to by two other names, including "Granite State" and "Mother of Rivers", New Hampshire is composed of seven distinct regions, each one boasting of open spaces where outdoor interests can be pursued with great zeal. The regions include the Great North Woods, the White Mountains Area, the Lakes Region, the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Area, the Monadnock Region, the Merrimack Valley Area, and the Seacoast Area.
The Great North Woods Region
The region situated in northern New Hampshire is a heavily-forested area and although many of the lands are owned by private individuals, RVers will be pleasantly surprised to find out that they can actually use the lands to pursue outdoor interests like hiking, fishing, and snowmobiling.
There are three regional towns here which include Errol, Milan, and Pittsburg, the latter being the biggest as per area coverage. Set in the midst of a dense forest, Pittsburg boasts of several lakes teeming with salmon and trout, including the upper end of the Connecticut River. RVers/anglers will find themselves at home here. Otherwise, they can try unraveling the mystery of the nearby forest where hiking trails stretch for miles and where hunters find game animals.
Additionally, Pittsburg holds three RV parks under its fold but Spruce Cone Cabins and Campground should be a good place to settle in the RV as it welcomes trailers regardless of the length thereof. Its RV sites have a 500-inch frontage area where Lake Francis provides a scenic view.
The White Mountains Region
This region was so named due to the White Mountains National Forest, which is its most dominant feature. It goes without saying then that many outdoor activities regularly engaged in these parts have to do with White Mountain and these typically include alpine hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing.
Of course, for RV-boarded trippers who prefer a more laid-back type of recreation, they can always sit at the foot of the mountains, taking a good look at its impressive geological formations. Otherwise, they could hie off to Goose Hollow and RV Park, situated right in the midst of the White Mountains National Forest, and park the RV at one of its many pull-through areas. Alternatively, RVers can tour the many attractions being offered by Goose Hollow like Santa's Village, Story Land, and Waterville Valley.
The Lakes Region
The regional name speaks for itself, that is, this area has been blessed with a diverse set of lakes approximately totaling 273, including small ponds. The biggest, Lake Winnipesaukee, rests at the foot of Mount Washington where RV riders can ride on a cruise ship if they do not own a personal boat.
Getting to choose an RV park here may be a little hard to do since practically every regional lake has a corresponding RV park with access to the lake as its most attractive feature. Bearcamp River Campground in West Ossipee, though, may have a slight advantage as it offers the most number of attractions that RV-boarded tourists can access in as little as 35 minutes and engage in various outdoor pursuits like fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The attractions include Lake Winnipesaukee, the White Mountain National Forest, the White Lake State Park, Lake Ossipee, Weir's Beach, and many others.
The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region
The region may well be the educational and cultural center of New Hampshire owing to the number of museums, schools, galleries, historic sites, and opera houses that it hosts. Topping these is Dartmouth, the Ivy League College of New Hampshire station in Hanover town. Lending perfect contrast to these are the comforts provided by shopping centers and entertainment plazas.
Yet, the region is not without its share of natural attractions and RVers will find this in such wonders as Lake Sunapee for which the region was named along with Dartmouth College. The lake boasts of hilly shores where walk paths beckon interested hikers while the waters below offer regular boat tours. Other water attractions here that RVers should try exploring as well are Sugar River in Newport, Mascoma River in Lebanon, and Jacobs Brook in Orford.
Of course, for RV-boarded trippers wishing to see Lake Sunapee, one RV park should be able to help them immensely. Based in Newport, Northstar Campground boasts of just being 15 minutes away from beautiful Lake Sunapee, housed under the Mount Sunapee State Park, among the largest in New Hampshire, where they can go swimming and fishing during summer and cross-country skiing come winter time.
The Monadnock Region
Another culturally rich New Hampshire area is how one can describe the Monadnock Region. Boasting of vast farmlands, the area serves as the perfect picture of simple small-town living complete with green hills, swaying trees, and a small church, things that the Monadnock Region has successfully kept alive through the years. RVers who have a preference for these joys will have a grand time here, and to spice up things, they can explore the many regional attractions, of which Mount Monadnock is the towering feature. The mountain welcomes visitors from extremes, the anglers and boaters of summer and the skiers of winter.
In settling in the RV, RVers can head off to Seven Maples Campground in Hancock village that has its own private pond stocked with trout fishes. Its other significant feature is its proximity to Mount Monadnock and to Moose Brook which serves as the park border.
The Merrimack Valley Region
The region features a quiet mix of the old and simple life as seen through its many museums and historical landmarks like the Museum of New Hampshire History, and the new and exciting life as evinced by regional shopping complexes and amusement parks like those found at Canobie Lake Park. In between are attractions that nature has richly blessed the region with, like the Merrimack River whose lovely waters have long enchanted boaters, swimmers, and anglers.
Whether it be natural or man-made, RVers will find it hard to resist the charm of this region, and for that, they need to find a good RV park to stay in. Weare, a city near Concord, has the answer to that in Autumn Hills Campground, a privately-owned RV park set upon a wood-covered hill with RV sites founded under trees of pines and tall oaks. It is situated near several regional attractions, the most notable of which are the Canobie Lake Amusement Park and the Merrimack River with its abundant salmon supply.
The Seacoast Region
The biggest attraction of this region is, quite obviously, its coastline, and although its covers a mere 18 miles, the accompanying beaches makes up for it with its spaciousness and all-around natural beauty. Complementing this is the mighty Atlantic Ocean situated nearby.
The sandy regional shores open up a wealth of outdoor opportunities for most RV-boarded visitors as they become scenic roads where biking and beach volleyball games can be enjoyed. From this vantage point, they may even get to view the outline of a golf course or an extended hiking trail lying from afar.
Portsmouth and Hampton are two popular regional seaport towns with the latter serving as the host of Hampton Beach, the place for swimmers and sunbathers. In recent years, the beach has also become famous for its specialty stores and fun rides and RVers who want to experience more than just its waters can reach Hampton Beach within minutes by checking in at Tidewater Campground found along Lafayette Road. An RV park that operates only during peak camping seasons, Tidewater Campground nevertheless offers numerous RV-friendly sites that come in either open or shady type.
New Hampshire Cities
With seven diverse regions, the "Granite State" obviously features quite a lot of cities that carry their own respective set of attractions. For RVers, finding out what these cities are is quite significant as it will enable them to identify the cities that are worth exploring, with outdoor opportunities and RV friendliness being crucial points of consideration.
Kingston
A comparatively little-known town set in the Seacoast Region, Kingston nonetheless has a rich history as a prominent New Hampshire government official once lived here. Josiah Bartlett, who was the first governor of New Hampshire, also wrote state history when he became a signee to the Declaration of Independence.
Formerly known as King's Town after its early settlers who hailed from Kingston, Massachusetts, this New Hampshire town is not without its own set of natural attractions. Its major water supplier, the Powwow River, is actually a Merrimack River arm where various outdoor activities are commonly engaged in like fishing and canoeing. Meanwhile, its highest peak, the 350-feet tall Rock Rimmon Hill is a good starting point for novice hikers.
RVers who find this little town quite intriguing will find it a good exploration piece especially since it boasts of an RV park set along Route 125 of Kingston town. Mill Brook RV Park features fully hooked-up RV sites with the major beaches of the Seacoast Region easily accessible within half an hour.
Rochester
The fourth biggest New Hampshire city can likewise be considered as among the more favorable towns in the Granite State that RVers can get to see. This is because it features more than 46 miles of open spaces occupied by gently flowing rivers, pristine lakes, and low, rolling hills.
By far, the single biggest attraction in Rochester is Baxter Lake, nestled on the eastern end of New Hampshire. The lake, covering about 295 acres, is famous for its fishing activities as most anglers usually catch numerous trophy bass during their many ventures.
For a more detailed feature on Rochester, RVers can check in at nearby Grand View Campground set along the Baxter Lake banks. The RV park can be reached in 90 minutes if one is coming from Boston and has a relaxed and welcoming environment made evident by their courteous and friendly staff.
Monadnock State Park
Surrounded by about 5,000 acres of totally wooded area, the Monadnock State Park is a somewhat dangerous spot in the Great North Woods Region because of its many open ridges and jutting headlands. Yet, its most prominent resident, Mount Monadnock, is a virtual activity center among mountain climbers such that it has been ranked second among the most visited mountains worldwide, behind the famous Mount Fuji of Japan.
The rocks and ridges that form the cliffs of Mount Monadnock range from easy to average, easily attracting the typical mountain climber. For hikers, trails are also found in various points, but for visitors who are afraid of heights, the foot of Mount Monadnock are common picnic sites and camping grounds.
White Lake State Park
Covering approximately 140 acres, White Lake State Park in Tamworth City is actually among the many attractions that RVers can find along the shorelines of White Lake, the famed water attraction of New Hampshire that is a genuine glacial lake having evolved from melted glacial ice.
Swimming across its waters may be quite a challenge for many White Lake visitors as these are actually quite freezing. Yet, this is actually one great water adventure for a typical RV rider. Of course, for a safer and yet exciting tour, one can opt for a leisurely stroll either along the lake shores or across a well-placed foot trail. Equally good alternatives are loon-watching and trout fishing.
In Tamworth City, RVers can try settling in at Tamworth Camping Area, which provides direct access to White Lake and to various other regional attractions. Alternatively, the campground offers outdoor activities along the Swift River where it holds its base of operations, enabling many visitors to stay within the park premises and not wander off unnecessarily.
Visiting the Granite State
Weather in New Hampshire is generally mild with extreme weather conditions hardly taking place. Winter, for instance, only averages around 25 degrees covering the months of December up to February.
Thus far, tourists usually come in during the summer, since by this time, most mountain roads have been opened. The mud covering these roads resulting from the water-filled snow that fell upon the land during the preceding season have all dried up, making a trip to New Hampshire relatively easy. Meanwhile, the crisp weather that often signals the start of autumn is likewise a good visiting period as the changing hues of various leaves provide color to the surrounding.
Mountain View Family Campground
In a little-known New Hampshire town called Ashland lies this little-known campground that features various attractions that suit the preferences of RV-boarded travelers. On the contrary, Mountain View Family Campground boasts of having access to various selections of New Hampshire attractions owing to its strategic location of being placed in between two major state regions namely the White Mountain Area and the Lakes Region. Capping this is its wide area devoted to outdoor games like volleyball, tennis, and basketball alongside pathways specifically intended for hiking.
Additionally, the RV campground is nestled atop the mountains of the Scribner-Fellows State Forest, providing visitors the opportunity to explore its unspoiled wonders. The RVs, meanwhile can rest among the open campsites covering over five acres of the 63-acre wide Mountain View Family Campground.
Mountain Lake Campground
If one were to decide on a family-centered RV campground in New Hampshire, the definite choice has to be Mountain Lake Campground in Jefferson City. A newly-opened RV park, Mountain Lake Campground sits on a 30-acre land surrounded by ancient pine trees and has an ongoing promotion of offering a free second night stay for all RVers visiting the campground anytime from May to June and from September to October.
To further entice RVers, the RV park has taken a location near several family-centered attractions including Santa's Village, which is just ten minutes away if one is traversing New Hampshire Route 2. Other nearby family-based attractions that visitors can easily access from the RV park are the Six Gun City and Fort Splash Water Park which can be reached within 20 minutes and the Weeks State Park, accessible in as little as five minutes.
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