Russell Pond Campground

This is a very nice campground that is easy to reach, very well maintained, with clean restrooms, and spacious sites. The altitude helped with very comfortable temperatures. Most of the sites were pretty shady, so using a solar panel could be a bit of a challenge, but the shade kept things nice and cool inside the trailer. The pond/lake has a nice beach and the water was crystal clear. The faucets around the campground are not threaded, so filling a water tank can get a little complicated. We will definitely be returning.

We snagged a first come first serve site in August on a Friday. Arriving just around check-out time, there were already several others looking to do what we were - pouncing on just opened up sites. We scored one of the last ones that could accommodate a van, there were several tent campers in more RV appropriate sites.

Overall, very lovely campground - but a bit of a bustle on a weekend. Our site was a bit away from others, so we didn't feel it as much. But walking around the campground, there were definitely areas louder than others with all the normal camping sounds. All to be expected for a summer weekend.

It was warm enough during our stay that a swim in the pond was refreshing. And there's a lovely little hike around the pond if you poke around for the trail start off the beach area.

We were able to keep online just fine with Verizon, even streaming video and doing some FaceTime video chats.

The road to Russell Pond campground has been re-surfaced so fairly easy access. NO dump station in the area. No threaded water sources, camp host let me fill up my tank from his hose. Site E8 is closest to the pond and away from other sites. No check-in, camp host posts your info on the site post and you go straight in. Lincoln Woods has good hiking about 10 miles away.

The Common Man restaurant (in Lincoln) has good food and great desserts.

Had to walk to the pond to get AT&T cell signal. no HDTV channels.

We felt like we got lucky by choosing Russell Pond Campground as our first place to camp in the White Mountain National Forest. It is one of only a few forest service campgrounds that have hot showers ($2.50 for 5 min) and fresh water spigots scattered throughout the sites.

While we were here for a week we drove around and checked out most of the other forest service campgrounds in the area and we would chose this one again without a second thought.

You must be willing to drive the 3 mile long route that gains 1000 feet in elevation above the Interstate 93 exit, but the reward of cooler temperatures and no traffic noise is worth it.

Great camping for under $30! Our site was pretty spacious and quiet but we were away from the pond.

Verizon signal was good considering we were in the mountains!

Showers were coin operated but clean and good pressure.

Only complaint is in regards to the camp host. We arrived early afternoon and there weren't many spots available. We ended up parking next to two sites that had green plastic chairs in them which we assumed meant reserved. About an hour later two young girls showed up and started unpacking and the host came over and stated these two sites were reserved for their family and friends who were coming in later that day. We found this extremely frustrating as this place is first come first serve.. sorry if your friends aren't coming in until later that day, just b/c you're the host doesn't give you the right to secure spots for those that are not there yet. The other complaint is that the host allowed their dog (large shepherd) to run around off leash and they were the loudest folks along with their guest in the park.

Wonderful family campground in North Woodstock NH. The campground has approx 80 sites of which 1/3+ are nice sized RV spots (Note that it's a first come first serve campground where tenters can take the RV spots (no hook ups)). This is one of the only hardwood campgrounds in the area with tree branches providing privacy between the nicely spaced sites. The roads through the camp are easily navigated by RV-ers big & small. The sites & bathrooms are kept very clean by the campground hosts. There is a pond, Russell Pond, that is stocked by Fish & Game for some great fishing or maybe just a paddle by canoe or kayak out to the rope swing. Aside from those amenities, there is plenty to do in neighboring Lincoln or on the scenic Kancamagus Hwy. This hidden gem may take reservations in the future but for now get there early to reserve your spot!

Our only negative:
Road to the campground is a little bumpy! RV-ers take it slow - it IS worth the trip up!