Gilson Pond Campground, Monadnock State Park (NH)
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I’ve never camped solo. Yet, on this particular weekend (the first weekend of June), I got a little taste of what that might be like, as G and I took separate cars to camp at Monadnock State Park, and I had a bunch of time on my own. Since G was working late on Friday and needed to be back home on Saturday for a virtual work meeting, I figured I’d head up early, set up camp, and then have most of Saturday by myself to hang out and get a sense of what camping solo might feel like. And as long as I can muster up the nerve to actually sleep in the van all by myself in the woods, I think camping solo might actually be in my future. But first, baby steps…and a review of our second weekend of camping.
For starters, Gilson Pond Campground in Jaffrey, NH, is gorgeous. Absolutely, positively gorgeous. For a small-ish state, New Hampshire has a ton to offer, and it’s somewhat surprising (and embarrassing) that after more than 25 years living in New Hampshire, there are still huge parts of the state that I don’t know well. This little corner is one of those parts. Seriously, if you haven’t ever made your way to this little corner of our state, do so. It’s just beautiful.
Gilson Pond Campground is part of Monadnock State Park, though the mountain and trails are accessible via another entrance. The mountain that gives the park its name, Mount Monadnock, rises to a height of 3,165 feet and is often cited as one of the world’s most frequently climbed mountains. The campground is fairly new, having opening in 2010, and has just 35 sites—each one providing ample privacy. With the campgrounds at our state parks still operating at only 50% and this being the first weekend Gilson Pond was open for camping, there couldn’t have been more than 8-10 other campsites taken. We were definitely spoiled.
I enjoyed a leisurely drive from home across the state on Route 101W to Bedford—retracing what used to be my former commute—and then continued on 101W through the towns of Amherst, Milford, Wilton, and Peterborough. It was just me and the van for the ride, which was just over an hour and a half from home. I arrived and checked in at 3:30p, just as G was planning to leave the house. He had, in fact, left and was about five minutes from home when I frantically texted because I realized I had left my license at home. OOPS! Thinking I was taking my school ID out of my wallet, I had inadvertently taken out my license instead. Thank goodness I didn’t need to show ID upon checking in at the park—and that I hadn’t gotten pulled over. Then again, I’m gentle with the gas on the 2002 van. Phew. Luckily, G was only a few minutes from home, so he was able to turn around and grab my license. Potential crisis averted.
The new campground policies and procedures allow for basically no-contact interactions, so I ordered a few bundles of camp wood and was able to have those delivered to the site. I could get used to this! Then, it was time to check out the site and get set up. We had site #B15, and honestly, I’m not sure there’s a bad site in the park. Ours was plenty big and had a sweeping view of the woods. That, of course, meant lots and lots of bugs, but I’ll get to that…
There were two potential spots for the van; I chose one, then got out, took a look, and decided on the other. Then, I got out, took a look, and decided to go back to the first. I did this routine, maneuvering through the trees without the benefit of any backup mirrors, TWICE. Having finally settled on the spot, I popped the van top, set up the Nemo Heliopolis privacy shelter/shower tent (which we now affectionately call “the pee tent”), and started a fire. Then, of course, when G arrived, he took a look and moved the van…which also meant taking down, moving, and re-setting up the pee tent . And here I was, proud of myself for having gotten us all set up.
But holy cow, the bugs!!! I’m not typically bitten by mosquitos, but they were everywhere. In addition to starting the fire, I also set up the new Thermacell Patio Sheild unit we purchased after I read a few reviews about it. For $20, it’s totally worth it—and we ended up using the entire bottle of fuel and all three mats that came with it (luckily, we had also bought a refill kit, but we didn’t need to use it). Between the fire and the Thermacell unit, I could literally see (and thankfully feel!) the bug-free force field the two created. I had to laugh when G, after arriving about two hours later, remarked that there didn’t seem to be too many bugs. Ha!
We made dinner; like we did on last week’s camping trip, we made grilled cheese with our pie irons and pasta salad, which I had made that morning, and a few chips. Honestly, what folks say is true—everything does taste better when made over a fire and eaten outside!
The next morning, G was up and out by 6am. I, of course, promptly fell back asleep for a bit. A little while later, I got up and got ready for my solo morning/afternoon, as G wouldn’t be rejoining me until about 3pm. I started by using my new Jetboil Flash Cooking System, which I bought with this year’s REI dividend. I boiled some water and added that to the premade oatmeal mix I made the night before. For coffee, I ended up making more of an instant iced coffee (black), as I much prefer iced coffee to hot. And I have to say, Swift Cup Coffee’s Mainstay blend instant coffee is actually really good! But, back to the oatmeal. I really, really want to be someone who likes oatmeal. I’m just…not. I can do overnight oats, but hot oatmeal, I’m just not there yet. But I had about half of the jar, so I’ll count that as a win.
Next up, a walk around the campground to scout out the sites. Following that, I thought I’d do the simple Gilson Pond Loop walk—just under a mile and a loop around the pond…so no chance of getting hurt or lost, right? Well, I didn’t get lost, and I didn’t get hurt, but I also decided to double back halfway through and bag the walk. Why? Because I was by myself, G was back at home working, I had no cell service, and I didn’t think to leave a note at the campsite or try to send a text from the campground loop, where I at least had spotty service. So, of course my over-anxious mind started thinking about all the worst-case scenarios of what could happen to me on a short little hike, and I turned back the way I had come. Honestly, though, it was probably the safest/best decision. The pond, however, was gorgeous, and even I, a walker but non-hiker, could appreciate the beauty of Mount Monadnock rising above the water.
Having made my way back to the campsite safely, it was time to enjoy my way-better-than expected lunch of a peanut butter and jelly roll-up wrap and an apple. Then, time for another jaunt—this time, up to the empty playground to shoot a few moody black-and-white photos of the emptiness. The harsh mid-day sun didn’t quite give me the photos/look I wanted, I still found the playground a bit eerie in its quiet/emptiness.
I took one more walk around the campground, down to the gate to order more wood. I was certainly getting my walking on today! On the way down, I snapped a few shots with my phone; the views in this park are simply stunning (scroll through below to see what I mean!).
By the time I got back to the campsite, I was ready to relax, start a fire, and read. In no time, G would be arriving. It’s funny—I’m not someone who has ever really enjoyed alone time. Yet, the older I get, the more I enjoy —and sometimes even crave—alone time. While I was initially nervous about how I’d fill the empty time that morning and afternoon, I realize that I didn't really have to do anything but lean into it. And I really, really enjoyed the solitude. Am I ready for a solo trip in the van? Perhaps; time will tell.
Once G showed up, we hung out in our hammocks and read (G might have napped), chatted by the fire, and started on dinner. We heated up a batch of Southwestern egg rolls that I had made before we left (so good!) and paired those with some leftover pasta salad, chips, and our favorite non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing Company.
Unfortunately, though, no s’mores tonight, as it started to rain later in the evening, just as we would have been ready for that heavenly concoction. We debated whether the sprinkles were hints of a passing shower or real rain to come, as one of the park employees told me that there was a severe thunderstorm watch for around 8 (this was, of course, when she was dropping off the second batch of wood bundles I bought that afternoon!!). Without the ability to check weather on our phones (no service), twice, we pulled in the chairs thinking that the rain would last. We took down the pee tent (just in case it poured and would be wet and pain to pack up in the morning), and stashed the extra wood in the back of G’s Jeep. And twice, the rain stopped minutes after it had started. The third time, though, was no joke. The rain drops turned into downpours, accompanied by huge cracks of the thunder. Truth: had I been alone in the van, at night, with that thunder, I would have been a bit of a scaredy-cat. So, a solo camping trip? Umm, maybe. But I’ll first check the weather forecast AND make sure that I have cell service!
Between its beauty and privacy, Gilson Pond Campground truly spoiled us, and we can’t wait to go back. We were under two hours from home, yet we felt a world away. Now, we’re just waiting patiently for the state park campgrounds to open for reservations past June. We’ve scoped out the sites, and we’re looking forward to returning—and maybe even making it all the way around the pond next time! Here’s to another great weekend of camping in the Granite State. After a weekend off, we’ll be heading back to Lafayette. Stay tuned for that post—and for a review of the pee tent!
Take care, everyone, and be safe.