Beaver Pond Campground

For New Hampshire locals eager to immerse themselves in the state's natural beauty and boundless outdoor activities, Beaver Pond Campground, nestled within the expansive Bear Brook State Park in Deerfield, offers an ideal destination. As the largest developed state park in New Hampshire, Bear Brook provides a sprawling 10,000+ acres of heavily forested land, offering a rich tapestry of trails, ponds, and diverse ecosystems. Beaver Pond Campground serves as the perfect base camp for exploring this incredible natural playground, whether you're a seasoned hiker, a keen mountain biker, a fishing enthusiast, or a family simply looking for a relaxing escape into nature. It’s a cherished spot where generations of New Hampshire families have created lasting memories, embracing the simplicity and beauty of state park camping.

Beaver Pond Campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV; it's a gateway to a wealth of outdoor adventures. From its inviting swimming beach to its extensive network of trails, the campground is designed to facilitate a wide range of recreational pursuits. This article will provide a comprehensive look at Beaver Pond Campground, highlighting its prime location within Bear Brook State Park, the array of services and amenities it offers, its standout features, and why it's a top choice for locals seeking an authentic and accessible New Hampshire camping experience.

Beaver Pond Campground is located at Deerfield, NH 03034, USA, specifically within the vast expanse of Bear Brook State Park. While the town of Deerfield provides the postal address, the campground itself is nestled deep within the park, offering a true sense of being immersed in nature. Bear Brook State Park is strategically situated in the southeast region of New Hampshire, making it easily accessible from major population centers like Manchester and Concord.

The park can be accessed via entrances on both its north and south sides, with the northern entrance often cited as the most popular. Once inside the park, visitors will travel approximately four miles from the junction of Deerfield Road and Route 28 to reach the camping areas, including Beaver Pond Campground. This drive ensures a gradual transition from main roads to the tranquil, wooded setting of the campground.

The campground's location within Bear Brook State Park is one of its greatest assets. It provides direct access to the park's extensive 40 miles of trails, which cater to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike. Beaver Pond itself, around which the campground is situated, offers a central point for water-based activities. Despite its secluded feel, essential services like churches, fuel stations, and grocery stores are available within 10 miles, ensuring that campers have access to necessities. This balance of natural immersion and convenient proximity to amenities makes Beaver Pond Campground an ideal spot for a New Hampshire getaway.

Beaver Pond Campground, as part of the New Hampshire State Park system, offers a range of services and facilities designed to make your camping experience comfortable and enjoyable, focusing on outdoor recreation and basic needs. While it's noted that there are no electrical hookups for trailers at this campground, it provides many other convenient amenities:

• Variety of Campsites: The campground boasts 101 sites, accommodating both tent and RV campers. Some sites feature a raised platform for tents. While RVs up to 30 ft. long can be accommodated on select sites, larger rigs might find maneuvering challenging due to narrow roads and tree branches.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a flip-top grill, perfect for cooking and enjoying campfires.
• Camp Store: A centrally located camp store offers a variety of "missed necessities" and souvenirs, ensuring campers can replenish supplies without leaving the park.
• Swimming Beach: Beaver Pond features a sandy swimming beach, a major draw for families, offering a refreshing way to cool off during warmer months. Note that there are no lifeguards on duty, and campers should check for any beach advisories.
• Canoe and Rowboat Rentals: Visitors can rent canoes and rowboats directly at Beaver Pond, providing easy access to on-water recreation.
• Coin-Operated Showers: Clean, shared bathroom facilities with coin-operated showers are available for campers.
• Dump Station: A dump station is provided for campers (for campers only), which is essential for RVs and trailers without full hookups at individual sites.
• Pet-Friendly: Beaver Pond Campground is a pet-friendly campground, allowing well-behaved, leashed and supervised pets at campsites (note: pets are not permitted on the beaches).
• Drinking Water: Water collection points are available throughout the campground for potable water.
• Firewood and Ice: Firewood and ice are available for purchase at the camp store.

These services ensure a well-rounded and convenient camping experience within the state park setting.

Beaver Pond Campground, within Bear Brook State Park, offers numerous features that make it a compelling choice for New Hampshire campers:

• Expansive State Park Setting: Being located within Bear Brook State Park, the largest developed state park in New Hampshire (over 10,000 acres), is a significant highlight. This provides an immense natural playground for campers.
• Extensive Trail Network: The park boasts 40 miles of trails, catering to a wide variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. This makes it an ideal destination for active outdoor enthusiasts.
• Beautiful Beaver Pond: The campground is centered around Beaver Pond, offering scenic views and opportunities for swimming at its sandy beach, canoeing, and rowboating.
• Diverse Recreational Opportunities: Beyond camping, the park offers archery ranges (the only two in the NH state park system), fishing (including a pond for children under twelve and Archery Pond for fly-fishing), and a 1.25-mile, 20-station fitness course.
• Family-Friendly Environment: Many reviews highlight the campground as a "great family camping destination," with plenty of space for kids to make friends and enjoy the outdoors, allowing parents to relax. The presence of a dedicated children's fishing pond adds to its family appeal.
• Secluded and Peaceful Sites: Despite being a large campground, many sites are "large" and "secluded enough" to offer privacy, ensuring a quiet retreat within the dense forest.
• Pet-Friendly Policy: The campground is pet-friendly, allowing many New Hampshire residents to bring their beloved dogs along for the camping adventure (with leash and supervision requirements).
• On-Site Camp Store: The convenience of a camp store at the center of the campground means easy access to necessities, snacks, and souvenirs.

These features collectively contribute to the highly-rated and enjoyable experience at Beaver Pond Campground.

As a New Hampshire State Park campground, Beaver Pond Campground generally operates under the standard fee structure set by the state parks system rather than offering frequent, publicly advertised commercial promotions. The pricing is typically based on a nightly base site fee, with additional charges for extra adults or children. However, there are specific discounts that New Hampshire residents should be aware of:

• NH Senior Citizen Discount: New Hampshire Senior Citizens are eligible for a $5 per night discount on campsites (with the exception of Cannon Mountain RV, Ellacoya, and Hampton Beach). NH photo ID is required for verification.
• NH State Employee Discount: New Hampshire State Employees receive a 50% discount on campsites (with the exception of yurts and cabins). A State ID or current paystub is required for the discount.

The nightly base site fee covers 2 adults and up to 4 dependent children under 18. Additional adults are $10 per night, and additional children are $5 per night. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through the Reserve America system. It's always advisable to check the official NH State Parks website or the Reserve America booking portal for the most current fee information, booking rules, and any potential seasonal changes.

For those interested in planning a camping trip to Beaver Pond Campground within Bear Brook State Park, the best way to obtain detailed information and make reservations is through the New Hampshire State Parks system's official channels.

Address: Deerfield, NH 03034, USA (Located within Bear Brook State Park)

While there isn't a direct phone number specifically for Beaver Pond Campground itself, general inquiries for Bear Brook State Park, which includes the campground, can be directed to the park's main office:

Bear Brook State Park Phone: (603) 485-9874 (This number is for the general park office.)

For camping reservations and more specific details about sites, availability, and booking rules for Beaver Pond Campground, the New Hampshire State Parks utilizes the Reserve America platform. It is highly recommended to visit the official New Hampshire State Parks website and navigate to the Bear Brook State Park page, which will link to the Reserve America booking portal for the campground. This online system provides the most up-to-date information on site availability, fees, and allows for direct reservation. Additionally, the website provides crucial information regarding park policies, alerts (like beach advisories), and general park guidelines.

For New Hampshire residents, Beaver Pond Campground within Bear Brook State Park stands out as an exceptionally suitable and beloved destination for enjoying the great outdoors. Its comprehensive offerings, coupled with its convenient location, make it an ideal choice for a wide range of local campers.

Firstly, as the largest developed state park in New Hampshire, Bear Brook offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and activities right in their backyard. Locals can easily access over 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding, catering to varying levels of outdoor enthusiasts. The presence of Beaver Pond with its swimming beach and boat rentals provides ample opportunities for water-based fun, a quintessential New Hampshire summer experience that families especially cherish.

Secondly, the campground itself provides a classic state park camping experience that many New Hampshire families have grown up with and appreciate. The sites, though without electrical hookups, are often large and offer a sense of seclusion within the dense forest, allowing for a peaceful retreat. The availability of amenities like a camp store, clean restrooms with coin-operated showers, and a dump station ensures that essential needs are met, making camping comfortable without being overly commercialized.

Moreover, the pet-friendly policy at Beaver Pond Campground is a significant advantage for New Hampshire residents who wish to bring their furry family members along for the adventure. This inclusivity allows for a more complete family outdoor experience. The atmosphere is consistently described as family-friendly, fostering an environment where children can make new friends and explore safely, while parents can relax and enjoy the tranquility.

Finally, the accessibility of Bear Brook State Park from central and southern New Hampshire makes it a practical choice for weekend getaways or longer vacations without extensive travel. The discounts offered for NH Senior Citizens and State Employees further enhance its appeal and affordability for the local community. Beaver Pond Campground at Bear Brook State Park truly encapsulates the spirit of New Hampshire's outdoor heritage, offering a rich, accessible, and enjoyable camping experience for all locals.

Beaver Pond Campground

Deerfield, NH 03034, USA