Winding River Campground

- 190 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833

Introduction / Overview: Your Family Base Camp on the New Hampshire Seacoast

Winding River Campground, located in the historic town of Exeter, New Hampshire, serves as a popular destination for locals and visitors alike seeking a memorable family-friendly outdoor experience. Nestled along the Exeter River and spread across naturally wooded terrain, this campground offers a true New England escape while maintaining close proximity to some of the Seacoast’s most vibrant attractions. It caters to a range of campers, providing sites for RVs, tents, and even cozy cabin rentals, ensuring there's a perfect spot for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

The campground operates under the umbrella of Modern America Campgrounds, aiming to blend the tranquility of nature with the comforts and extensive activities of a modern resort-style park. It is designed to be a hub of fun, featuring a variety of amenities that appeal to all ages, from thrilling waterslides to organized weekly events. While the ownership structure has seen changes and, as some long-time guests have noted, the level of maintenance and enforcement of rules have seen fluctuations, the dedicated staff members on site are generally recognized for their helpful and accommodating nature, working hard to maintain the campground's appeal.

Winding River Campground is more than just a place to park an RV; it is a community that strives to offer endless activities and scenic landscapes, making it an ideal choice for New Hampshire families looking to establish a seasonal home away from home or simply enjoy a fun-filled weekend getaway close to the action of the Seacoast.

Location and Accessibility: Wooded Retreat Minutes from Downtown Exeter

Winding River Campground boasts a prime location that perfectly balances a wooded, riverside setting with exceptional accessibility to the best of the New Hampshire Seacoast.

Address: 190 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833, USA

The property is situated conveniently close to the charming and historic downtown Exeter, providing easy access to essential services, unique shops, and local dining experiences. This proximity is a major advantage, allowing campers to quickly run errands or enjoy a day exploring local history, like the American Independence Museum or Phillips Exeter Academy.

Furthermore, the campground is strategically located for exploring the wider Seacoast region. It is just a short drive—approximately 15 to 25 minutes—to popular coastal destinations such as Hampton Beach, where families can enjoy the boardwalk, sand, and ocean activities. Portsmouth, with its vibrant harbor, arts scene, and upscale dining, is also easily reachable. This combination of a secluded New England setting and regional convenience makes Winding River an excellent base camp for anyone wishing to experience the diverse offerings of Southern New Hampshire. While some interior roads within the park can be rough and narrow, especially when maneuvering larger vehicles like a 43-foot motorhome, the overall location offers undeniable value for a Seacoast getaway.

Services Offered: Accommodations for Every Camper

Winding River Campground provides a comprehensive range of camping options and services designed to ensure a comfortable stay, whether you are visiting for a weekend or the entire season.

• Full Hookup RV Sites: The campground offers full hookup sites with both 50-amp and 30-amp electric options, sewer, and water connections, accommodating RVs up to 45 feet long, including convenient pull-thru sites for easy access.
• Cabin Rentals: For those desiring more comfort, a selection of cozy cabins is available. These rentals include electricity, heat and A/C, a kitchen equipped with appliances (stove, microwave, refrigerator), and private bathrooms with showers, providing a glamping experience.
• Tent Sites: Dedicated tent sites are available, many situated along the river's edge, offering 15-amp electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring, with access to a nearby bath house.
• Seasonal Stays: Winding River welcomes seasonal campers, allowing guests to keep a site for the entire summer season, which is ideal for New Hampshire locals who want a regular vacation spot.
• On-Site Restaurant/Grille: An on-site food service, historically referred to as the Outlaw Grille, offers meals and snacks, though recent offerings may be primarily limited to fried foods, according to customer feedback.
• Camp Store: A convenient camp store is available for essentials, snacks, and exclusive Winding River apparel, although its current stocking levels may vary.
• Laundry Facilities: Laundry services are available on the premises for guest convenience, though the number of functional machines has been a point of recent concern for guests.
• Pet-Friendly: The campground welcomes pets, ensuring that your furry family members can join in the camping adventure, subject to specific park rules.

Features / Highlights: Entertainment and Recreation

The main draw of Winding River Campground is its array of recreational features, offering non-stop entertainment that solidifies its reputation as a family-focused destination.

• Pool and Waterslide: A key highlight is the large swimming pool, which features a grotto waterslide, providing hours of fun and a place to cool off during warm New Hampshire summer days. Note: Prospective guests should confirm the current operational status and water quality, as past reviews have mentioned temporary closures and maintenance concerns.
• Bounce Pillow and Arcade: For younger guests, the giant jumping pillow and an on-site arcade offer popular areas for energy expenditure and entertainment, although the arcade’s operational status has been inconsistent in the past.
• River Access and Activities: The campground is situated on the Exeter River, advertised for activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. While the river itself may be shallow and better described as a creek by some campers, the opportunity for water-based fun and enjoyment of the natural riverfront environment exists.
• Organized Weekly Activities: Winding River maintains an extensive activities schedule throughout the season, which can include themed weekends, live music, DJs, outdoor movie nights, kid’s crafts, weekly Bingo, and social gatherings like pancake breakfasts and foam parties, though the consistency of these planned events has recently varied.
• Playgrounds: The property features multiple well-equipped playgrounds, providing safe and fun spaces for children to run, climb, and play.
• Hot Tub: A hot tub is available, offering a relaxing spot for adults to unwind after a day of activities or exploration.
• Gem Mining Sluice: A unique feature where kids can pan for gems and uncover hidden treasures, adding a fun, interactive activity to their camping trip.

Contact Information

To inquire about current rates, site availability, seasonal options, or to get the most up-to-date information on the operational status of amenities and activities, please use the contact details below.

Address: 190 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833, USA

Phone: (603) 778-7631

Mobile Phone: +1 603-778-7631

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for New Hampshire Locals

Winding River Campground, despite some of the operational and management challenges highlighted by customer feedback, remains a fundamentally appealing option for New Hampshire locals. Its most significant advantage is its exceptional location. It offers a convenient, close-to-home escape that saves residents the long drive to the White Mountains while placing them within minutes of the Seacoast's best attractions. The wealth of on-site amenities, including the pool, waterslide, and extensive activity programming, makes it an energetic and entertaining destination, particularly for families with children. The availability of seasonal sites is a massive draw for Granite Staters who want a dedicated summer retreat without the financial burden of a second home. While recent customer reviews point to a period of transition, with concerns about site maintenance, infrastructure upkeep (like road conditions and pool water quality), and the consistency of promised activities, the core offering—a high-amenity, family-centric campground near the beaches and historic towns of the Seacoast—retains strong value. For locals seeking a high-energy, amenity-rich camping experience and are willing to tolerate an environment that can be busy and sometimes noisy, Winding River Campground provides an accessible and fun family vacation spot in a prime New Hampshire location. Prospective guests are encouraged to contact the campground directly to confirm the current status of services and amenities prior to booking.

Winding River Campground

190 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833, USA