Mi-Te-Jo Campground – RV Park Review
Milton, NH RV Park Review – Mi-Te-Jo Campground
Do you have a “home” campground? That’s how we think of Mi-Te-Jo Campground in 
Milton, New Hampshire. We’ve been going to this campground every year for (could it really be?) about 15 years! Maybe longer. Now, the interesting thing is that Mi-Te-Jo is only a few miles from our New Hampshire home. At first it didn’t seem far enough away to be “going camping.” We went there initially because some good friends wanted to try it. Guess it kind of grew on us.
Mi-Te-Jo…funny name. Remember the old movie, Mighty Joe Young? It was about a huge African gorilla that was the pet of an American girl living in Africa. Mighty Joe was brought to Hollywood, exploited in movies, escaped and caused all kinds of chaos. The original movie was released in 1949 and then remade in 1998 (starring Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron and, if you’re into recent TV series, Naveen Andrews of Lost fame. Anyway, Mi-Te-Jo’s mascot is a stuffed gorilla.
Mi-Te-Jo had a “rep!” Years ago. It was known as a party place…not too attractive…not really suitable for families who wanted a “nice” place for family camping. At least that’s what I’ve heard. I guess it was actually closed for a while, then the current owners bought the place.
Gary and Sue have really turned the place around. My impression is that Sue takes care of the “business” end of things, while Gary handles the look, feel and operational details. They’ve made many, many improvements to the facilities. Existing restrooms and shower facilities have been virtually rebuilt and modernized and are kept in immaculate condition with a whole new facility in the newest area of the park. Sewer lines have been extended to most sites, as has cable TV and there’s even free Wi-Fi. Gary’s passion seems to be making the place not only functionally superior, but making it look great, too. He’s really a “green” guy and his efforts to beautify Mi-Te-Jo with various plantings, general cleanliness, hiking trails and such are impressive (and you ought to see his antique tractor collection!).
As a result, Mi-Te-Jo (www.mi-te-jo.com) has become an extremely popular destination. We’ve been on the waiting list for a seasonal site for almost as many years as we’ve been camping there. I’ve lost track of where we stand on the list, but seasonal sites are in great demand. And if you’re not a “regular” there? I certainly won’t say you can’t get a site for a weekend, but you really should call early in the season for a reservation.
We’ve had a waterfront site for a week in mid-June for a number of years. We started off on the site with a pop-up camper and now happily fit our travel trailer in amongst the trees. Granted, most of Mi-Te-Jo’s sites are not directly on the water, but there’s a ramp to launch your boat and two nice sandy beaches in the campground.
Well, needless to say, Deb and I are real Mi-Te-Jo fans. We love the campground and spend at least a week there every year. If you find yourself in New Hampshire, or are planning to visit, see if you can make a reservation for a weekend. We think you’ll enjoy yourselves. And, if you happen to be there in mid June, look us up. We’re on Site C, on the water, for a week every June starting on Father’s Day weekend. We’d love to have you stop by for a visit, enjoy our campfire, share s’mores with us!
My family went camping at Mi-Te-Jo’s for years…..I have very fond memories of it from the 1980’s. It was a bit of a party place, but it somehow was also very family oriented and safe at the same time. We were seasonal campers. The truth about the name…..Mi stood for Micah, the owners’ son’s name, Te was for Ted, the owner and Jo was Joan, his wife. That simple. Although I’m not a camping fan anymore, I am sentimental about Mi-Te_Jo’s where I spent my childhood and teen years. I see they have cabins now for rent….maybe someday I’ll go back.
Susan, thanks for your comment. Your explanation of the origin of the Mi-Te-Jo name is interesting. I wonder if the present owners, Susan (!) and Gary, are aware of that? I’ll ask the next time we’re there. I’ve heard that Mi-Te-Jo was a party place in its earlier years, but it wasn’t put as positively as your recollection. Just goes to show that people’s experiences are sometimes truly “in the eye of the beholder.” We certainly like the place tremendously now. Come on back! We’d love to meet you. Site C – during every Father’s Day week.
I was going to write a similar blog concerning this topic, you beat me to it. You did a nice job!
It is now the end of the season. So sad. We have so much fun at Mighty Joe’s campground. Bathrooms are clean, the grounds are clean. Bags are there to pick up dog messes and barrels to dump it into. There are books to read and a computer to use if you don’t bring your own. Playgrounds for the kids, 2 beaches, docks for boats. Nice areas to walk and hike. Tennis and basket ball areas. Shade and sun for everyone. Bands on occasions which are great to hear and dance to. Gary has all kinds of flowers every year and is always planting new things. The 4th of July is great. The tractor parade is so cute. Even when you party to late, Gary comes around to remind you. I love Gary for that. Sorry.
There are different things threw out the season. One visit is not enough.
I love this campground. I would love a sesonal site and enough work at this campground.
Nancy Flagg
167 Walsh Road
Sanbornville, NH 03872
See ya next year Gary and Sue
Hi Gary & Sue Will you please send me information for any Pow Wow dates for August or September Thank You
Are there any Pow wows this summer
Hi Cindy: Unfortunately, Gary and Sue sold Mi-Te-Jo a few years ago, and Deb and I only stayed at the campground two or three times after that. It’s now a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park and gone is that special “Gary&Sue-personal-touch-feeling” that we enjoyed for so many years. I believe they’ve replaced about two dozen campsites and the whole safari area with cabins (glamping?). Sorry…I don’t know about the pow-wows. Lots of new attractions though, according to their website. I’ve heard the place fills up like always, probably just with campers looking for a fun but slightly different camping experience.