Oxbow Campground

The Great Outdoors

A short drive east of Oxbow Campground is the Deering Wildlife Sanctuary, which protects around 900 acres of forests, ponds, and streams. It provides vital habitat for numerous species, including moose, salamanders, and abundant birdlife. Follow one of the three trails that wind through the sanctuary, including the Black Fox Pond Trail that skirts the pond’s shores and the one-hour-long Smith Brook Trail. Also of note is the Patten Farm Trail, which takes in the remains of an early settlement and one of Deering’s oldest cemeteries. Camp in an RV near Hillsboro and head north to the Fox State Forest, which was gifted to the state of New Hampshire by Caroline Fox in 1932. It encompasses 1,445 acres and the Henry I. Baldwin Forestry Education Center that demonstrates scientific forestry and natural resource management. Browse the museum where early forestry and logging tools are displayed while learning about the ecology of the region. Around 22 miles of trails wind through the Fox State Forest and are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, and hunters, as well as cross-country skiers and snowshoers during the winter months. If you’re an angler, make a beeline west to the Franklin Pierce Lake, which is named after the 14th president of the United States. It’s a little-known gem and was created by the damming of the Contoocook River within the Merrimack River watershed. This warm-water fishery is well stocked with brown and rainbow trout, as well as being home to largemouth bass, white perch, bluegill, and black crappie. There are a swimming area and a boat launch at one end of the lake, and much of the shoreline is a no-wake zone for the benefit of those wanting to kayak or canoe in peace. 

Exploring the Area

Deering campers can take advantage of the supermarkets in Hillsboro's town center for picking up grocery supplies, and there are also gas stations there for filling up your RV rental. For RVers wanting to dine out, there’s also a good selection of eateries, ranging from diners to taco joints and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Hillsboro is the starting point for the Contoocook River Walk, which is the perfect way to walk off your lunch or dinner.RV camping at Oxbow Campground can be used as a base for visiting Manchester, which is around 45 minutes’ drive to the east. It’s home to the Currier Museum of Art where an impressive collection of works by both American and European artists are exhibited, as well as Zimmerman House, one of two residences designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in New Hampshire. Delve into the local industrial history at the Millyard Museum, which details how the Amoskeag Falls was harnessed to support the city’s textile manufacturers. Also not to miss is the iconic granite tower of the Weston Observatory, which was built in 1897 and watches over the city from Oak Hill. Or, head to Concord to spend a day exploring the New Hampshire capital, home to the gold-dome State House that was constructed in 1819. The city is packed with family-friendly museums, including the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center that’s renowned for its space-themed exhibits. See the former home of the 14th president of the U.S. at Pierce Manse and admire the Second Empire-style Henry J. Crippen House before catching a show at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Whether you want to explore the recreational reserves of southern New Hampshire or visit the museums of Concord and Manchester, book an RV in Hillsborough County and start planning your next vacation.