Ready to find the perfect match for your family trip or weekend getaway?
New Hampshire is home to 75 state park properties – many with campsites abounding. While most have the standard fire ring and picnic table, not all are created equal. At Greenfield State Park, the campsites offer much more than the standard package. With 179 sites to choose from, visitors can pick what they want for their family getaways or private trips, while enjoying the features that are special to Greenfield. Whether its privacy, space, proximity to the beach, or a place for the kids to ride bikes, there is a spot for all here at Greenfield State Park.
Away from the Road
During my initial tour of the park, I was struck by a number of things about the sites, and as I have viewed them more, a few things stand out. The first thing I noticed was that each site has its own space. The sites are all set relatively far back from the road. This not only gives a sense of privacy but also allows one to have a bit more room to park and play on the site.
Plenty of Seating
In 2013 and 2014, Greenfield underwent a series of cuttings. This forest health management project took down old or dying trees to make way for new growth. Because of this, there is a plenitude of stumps around the sites. Visitors can harness these as a bench or a convenient side table. And for a rainy-day challenge, you can even count the rings to find the age of the tree-seat.
Imaginative Spaces
The forest health management project not only left a lot of stumps but also a lot of sunlight. This sunlight has translated into an array of understory species which have created a miniature jungle in the park. These small saplings and dense undergrowth provides perfect hideaways for kids to become imaginative in; a stump becomes a royal throne and a tree canopy their castle. It also has attracted many forest creatures to observe – from chipmunks and squirrels to ants and butterflies.
Riding Routes
Loops abound at Greenfield! With 4.5 miles of pavement, there is plenty of space to ride on. Three areas of the park are in loops that are fun for kids to ride on but easy for them to follow (and not get lost). Sites 26-64, 65-217, and 218-252 each comprise a loop of campsites. Sites 218-252 make the smallest loop, 65-217 create the largest loop, and the loop of sites 26-62 falls somewhere in the middle.
Special Features
Family Privacy
The sites also offer some unique characteristics – like sites 3 and 4 which are set up on a slight hill off the road. The sites are nearby, almost connected – making it ideal for large families or groups who want a little more privacy.
Last-minute Availability
Many sites are now walk-on only. Visitors who did not have time (or forgot) to make reservations can take one of the almost 100 sites that are set aside for folks who arrive that day looking to camp.
Space for All
There are four youth-group sites at the park which offer a place for scout groups, youth clubs, and the like to stay and enjoy the outdoors (and not disturb other visitors). These also have the bonus of being near Hogback and Mud Ponds. Hiking trails are just steps from the sites – as well as signs of beaver in the area.
Waterfront View
A few of the sites are near bodies of water at the park – Otter Lake, Beaver Pond, and Hogback Pond. Sites are available that give a view of the water or that have nearby trails that lead to the waterfronts. My favorites are the sites that sit above Beaver Pond and offer a chorus of frog calls at dusk (sites 33, 35, 36, 38).
Although the sites themselves are quiet appealing, Greenfield’s Otter Lake beach and boat rentals, trails around Hogback Pond and in the forest, friendly staff, and interpretive programming for families are the icing on the cake for a wonderful campground experience.
So pick a campsite that fits your family needs or call the front office for a more detailed profile. We’d love to have you here this summer!
Play outside!
–Ranger Rachel, Greenfield State Park Interpreter
