Forest Lake Campground

- 331 Keene Rd, Winchester, NH 03470

Introduction / Overview

Forest Lake Campground, nestled in the scenic southwestern corner of New Hampshire in Winchester, offers a charming and well-established destination for local campers. This park is defined by its beautiful lakeside setting on Forest Lake, a feature that provides direct access to swimming, boating, and fishing. The atmosphere is distinctly community-oriented, largely driven by a substantial presence of long-term seasonal campers who create a close-knit, neighborhood-like feel. This strong sense of camaraderie is a defining trait, making the campground feel like a home away from home for many guests. While its communal nature makes it a welcoming and social environment, transient campers should be aware that the focus is on a settled, familiar camping experience.

The facility strikes a balance between natural beauty and essential modern conveniences. Guests consistently praise the easy-to-locate nature of the campground, its very fair pricing, and the cleanliness of the facilities, including the provision of free hot showers. With a schedule packed with weekend activities from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Forest Lake Campground is ideal for families, couples, and individuals looking for a fun, active, and social lakefront experience in the heart of the Monadnock Region.

Location and Accessibility

Forest Lake Campground is conveniently situated in Winchester, New Hampshire, a quaint town in the state’s scenic southwestern region. The official address is 331 Keene Rd, Winchester, NH 03470, USA, located directly off Route 10 (Keene Road). This makes the campground highly accessible for residents coming from the southern and central parts of the state, as well as the nearby city of Keene.

The campground's most valuable locational asset is its immediate proximity and private access to the shores of the expansive Forest Lake. This lake is known for being great for swimming, fishing, and boating, providing a perfect natural focal point for all recreational activities. For regional residents, the site is a manageable drive from major population centers, making it an excellent option for weekend getaways without the long trek north to the White Mountains. Furthermore, its location places it within easy reach of regional attractions such as Mount Monadnock for hiking, the Northfield Drive-In Movie Theater, and the expansive 13,000 acres of trails at Pisgah State Park, which is the largest state park in New Hampshire.

Services Offered

Forest Lake Campground offers a full range of services designed to ensure a comfortable stay for both short-term visitors and seasonal guests:

• Site Variety: The property features approximately 150 spacious sites, offering both wooded and open settings. These sites accommodate all types of camping, including tents, trailers, and RVs, with options for full hookups (water, electric, and sewer), electric/water only, and tent-only sites. Sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, and some pull-thru options are available.
• Essential Utilities: Full facilities are provided, including two large, clean restrooms with flush toilets. A major highlight is the availability of free hot showers, a welcome amenity often noted by satisfied customers. A sanitary dump station and metered LP gas are also on-site.
• Water Access: The campground provides a dedicated boat launch and a marina area for campers, allowing easy access to Forest Lake for various watercraft. There is also a dedicated swimming and beach area, which is a focal point of summer activities.
• Pet Policy: The campground is noted as dog friendly, welcoming pets as long as owners adhere to posted restrictions and rules.
• Recreational Transport: Given the size and layout of the grounds, guests are encouraged to bring bikes or golf carts to easily navigate the campground and access all the amenities.
• Additional Comforts: On-site services include laundry facilities, cable TV hookups in some sites, picnic tables, fire circles, and a camp store/convenience store, ensuring guests have access to necessities during their stay.

Features / Highlights

The strong suit of Forest Lake Campground is its array of recreational features, particularly its lake activities and its engaging social calendar:

• Forest Lake Access: The private beach area is excellent for swimming and features a sandy shore. The 85-acre lake is perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. The availability of an on-site boat launch adds significant value for boat owners.
• Community and Social Activities: The campground's seasonal calendar is packed, running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Highlights include Bingo every Saturday night, monthly potlucks, ice cream socials, trivia contests, cornhole tournaments, and special festive gatherings like 'Christmas in July' and 'Halloween in August.' These events foster the close-knit community atmosphere.
• Recreation Facilities: A dedicated Rec Hall provides indoor space for games and social gatherings. Outdoor features include a ball field, a sports court for basketball or other games, a hot tub, and two outdoor pools (including a children's pool, in some partner descriptions) though availability may vary seasonally. Shuffleboard and horseshoe pits are available for friendly competition, with holiday weekends often featuring tournaments with cash prizes.
• Children's Amenities: While described by one user as primarily for adults, the campground does include a playground and organizes children's bingo and family fun days, demonstrating a commitment to younger guests.
• Local Proximity: Guests can easily access nearby points of interest, including the Winchester Speedpark and Monadnock Speedway for racing enthusiasts, and the trails of Pisgah State Park for hiking and mountain biking.

Contact Information

For residents of New Hampshire planning a weekend trip, a vacation, or considering a seasonal stay at this popular Monadnock Region campground, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 331 Keene Rd, Winchester, NH 03470, USA

Phone: (603) 239-4267

Mobile Phone: +1 603-239-4267

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Forest Lake Campground is a superb option for New Hampshire locals, particularly those in the southern and western parts of the state, who seek a cost-effective, full-featured, and friendly camping experience. Its strong foundation of seasonal campers means that visitors step into an established, welcoming community where the 'everyone knows everyone' dynamic can quickly make a transient camper feel at home. For the price, this campground offers exceptional value, combining the essential comfort of clean, modern facilities—including those prized free hot showers—with the fun and convenience of a private lakefront location.

The array of amenities and the packed weekend activity calendar ensure a dynamic and engaging stay, making it an excellent choice for those who value organized recreation and social opportunities. Whether you are bringing a boat for a weekend of fishing, want to participate in a lively game of Saturday night Bingo, or simply want to relax by the lake, Forest Lake Campground provides a convenient, familiar, and fully-equipped lakeside haven without the long drive to the northern mountains. For a great camping experience in the Monadnock region, Forest Lake is a highly recommended and well-run local treasure.

Forest Lake Campground

331 Keene Rd, Winchester, NH 03470, USA