Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire

Adventuring with Family: Keene, New Hampshire and Mount Monadnock
One of the best (and sometimes wildest) parts of traveling cross-country with our 5th Wheel RV is the unpredictability. Every stop is a new adventure, and sometimes the adventure starts before we even unpack! Our latest destination: the charming town of Keene, New Hampshire. We set up camp at the peaceful and wooded Ashuelot River Campground, but our arrival didn’t come without a little hiccup—one of our front stabilizers broke while setting up.

After a bit of troubleshooting, we realized it wasn’t a fix we could make mid-trip. So, in true road warrior fashion, we adapted. A quick trip to a nearby tool store for a jack, and we were back in business—leveling the RV manually for the rest of the journey. It’s not ideal, but when you're traveling as a family, you learn quickly that flexibility is everything.

Ashuelot River Campground

Ashuelot River Campground turned out to be a great spot to regroup and relax. Our spacious pull-through site was nestled in a quiet part of the grounds, and the campground itself borders the scenic Ashuelot River. On calmer days, you can launch a kayak right from the riverbank—but recent storms had the water running high, so paddling was off the itinerary this time.
Still, the campground had plenty to offer. The kids loved the game room, which included ping pong, air hockey, claw machines, foosball, and even a few video games. Some games were free, others were just 50 cents. Just down the road is a rail trail, perfect for a family bike ride or a peaceful walk through the trees.

Monadnock State Park

The highlight of our time in the Keene area, though, was Mount Monadnock. As the most climbed mountain in the U.S., we couldn’t pass it up! And wow, what a climb. Over 1,800 feet of elevation gain in just a little over 4 miles round trip. It challenged every one of us—but in the best way.

The weather was perfect for hiking—cool and comfortable—though a little too cloudy to offer the panoramic views Monadnock is known for. If you’re from Wisconsin, imagine Devil’s Lake State Park on steroids. The trail was a mix of giant boulders, natural stone staircases, and playful stream crossings. It was part hike, part scramble, and full-on adventure.

Traveling with family always comes with its share of surprises, but that’s part of the fun. From broken stabilizers to boulder-strewn trails, we’re embracing the journey one stop at a time. Keene, you were a rugged, beautiful, and unforgettable part of the ride.

Historic Covered Bridges

One of the unexpected highlights near Keene was exploring the historic covered bridges scattered throughout the region. These charming wooden bridges, some dating back to the 1800s, feel like stepping into a storybook. Things got a little tricky, our RV and truck definitely don’t fit through these narrow, low-clearance bridges, thankfully our campsite gave us the heads up! There were also unexpected dirt roads and tunnels, made for a fun adventure.