289 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Stow, Maine sits at the gateway to the White Mountain National Forest, providing access to diverse camping experiences across both Maine and neighboring New Hampshire. Within a 30-mile radius, campers will find everything from primitive dispersed sites to full-service family campgrounds. Basin Campground offers a quiet, primitive camping experience on the Maine-New Hampshire border with 20 wooded sites, while Papoose Pond Family Campground in nearby Waterford features lakefront sites with amenities including showers and hookups. The area's camping landscape is characterized by wooded sites along rivers and ponds, with many campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for exploring the region's extensive hiking trails.
Most campgrounds in the Stow area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with limited options available during winter months. Road access varies significantly, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or short hikes from parking areas. As one camper noted about nearby Crocker Pond, "It's an off the beaten path car camping destination with about 5 of the 7 sites directly on the water." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly at more remote sites like Basin Campground where "there is no cell service within several miles in any direction." Ticks are common during warmer months, and campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions typical of the White Mountains.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the region surrounding Stow. Rivers like the Saco, Androscoggin, and Magalloway offer scenic camping opportunities, though site quality can vary considerably. Road noise affects many campgrounds, particularly those along Route 302 and the Kancamagus Highway. A reviewer of Crawford Notch Campground observed that "tent sites are all further in, nestled in the forest along the stream. They are quite beautiful, serene and peaceful," while noting that RV sites closer to the road experience more traffic noise. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are reported throughout the area, requiring proper food storage. Many campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, with several serving as convenient basecamps for exploring popular White Mountain peaks and waterfalls.
"There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part."
"Couldn’t ask for better sites, both sites 9 & 12 were very private and only a short walk through the woods to setup camp along the river."
"This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"
"Cool location right on the edge of the Dry River Wilderness. Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area. Some spots are right on the highway with not much tree cover in between so can be loud."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Plenty to do at the campground and around the surrounding area for people
of all ages.
Remember you are in the mountains... you will see wildlife."
"Had beautiful gal foliage and was close to some great hikes. Our spot near the river was also very cool"
"A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."
"Great location with easy ride to all North Conway attractions. Nice hay ride and playground. The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out. We visited Story Land and Mt."
"It’s located in Evan’s Notch, so close to many wonderful hiking trails and next to lovely Basin Pond. So quiet!"
"This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel."
"My family of 4 tent camped for 1 night as we were making our way from Maine back to Indiana as part of our summer ‘24 New England camping adventure road trip."
from $30 - $44 / night
Check Availability"If you bring yoyr own kayaks there is a ruver with a take out close to the campground. U could walk back or drive in with a truck for pick up! This place is amazing! Will continue to go every year!"
"Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy."
"This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."
"In addition to our designated spot, we had access to a large open space behind that many people utilized to play games or expand their camping area."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"They have bike rentals, disc golf, ping pong table, outside big chess game, pool, outlet shopping was near by, near by historic sites, like kangamangus Highway, diana’s Bath, cathedral ledge, we went"
"People to our left and the ones behind us were annual vistors to this campground. We are new to Rving it was refreshing to be around such nice people."
"Into the Whites from West Bethel, Crocker Pond is an off the beaten path car camping destination. Beautiful place to set up camp for a night to 14 days."
"With no one else around we thought, “welcome to the perfect campsite.” Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and access to the pond."
from $18 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe campground is small but extremely well kept. Bathrooms very clean and up to date. Mo the woman who runs this campground is very sweet and attentive.
There is only one electric site. The other sites don’t have electric hook up.
GuidePretty primitive sites, small pull in spaces and rock fire rings. But the area is beautiful and secluded, definitely enjoyed staying here and chilling at the creek, I doubt it’s any good for fishing though. Wouldn’t recommend for large setups, definitely no trailers, vans or camper trucks are the biggest vehicles I’d feel comfortable taking there, the drive wasn’t bad, but depending on which site you get you may be struggling to fit your rig.
GuideSeems clean and well-kept. Staff in the office are friendly and helpful.
ScoutWe showed up early (10:50 am) and asked to check in prior to the 12 pm check-in time. The owner was working and she told us we could not. I walked over and saw that our site was empty, so my wife asked the owner again if we could check in early as there was nobody there and we had two 16-mo babies who were ready to get out of the car. She then kicked us off the property. This was on a festival weekend with nowhere else to stay, and I told her that. The owner did not care and we had to drive 2 ours home.
GuideThere are no bad camping spots at this charming, scenic, squeaky clean campground. If you love water views, walking trails and exploring low-tide. Run, don’t walk and make a reservation today!
ScoutThis is a great simple campground, near a lot of hiking trails. The campground was very clean, and has hot showers and washer/dryers (coin operated) available. Most sites have a lot of privacy. We stayed at #20. This was probably one of the biggest sites there, I think it was meant for popups or 5th wheelers, but we stayed in a tent. Only complaint for the site was that there was a lot gravel, so a little uncomfortable having a tent set there (so I would probably choose another site on the campground for a tent). Also, we did see a bear one morning, our dog barked at it and it walked off. Just be mindful of picking up trash, and don’t have any food in your tent. Theres a dumpster at the entrance you can use. Overall it was a great campground, I would stay again.
TravelerNo toilet, no showers, no Wi-Fi, no electricity Love it I’ve been primitive camping since before I could walk and def glad this app exist
First use of the app and found the perfect spot away from my friends Airbnb and still close enough to go hangout with them. The site is the perfect size for a single or couple and it gives off the right kind of privacy
Thanks Dyrt
ScoutWent on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Dispersed camping opportunities near Stow, Maine extend beyond the White Mountain National Forest into surrounding towns within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with deep valleys carved by the Saco and Ellis Rivers. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with cooler nights even in July and August.
Riverside tubing and swimming: At Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis, the Saco River provides perfect summer recreation. "Located between the Ellis River and the Saco River, this campground offers so many fantastic amenities. One of the biggest ones that we took lots of advantage of is the swimming and tubing on the Saco River," writes Joseph N. The river access includes tube rentals and designated put-in and take-out areas within the campground.
Mountain hiking with camp-based access: Several trails connect directly from Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch. "Hiked the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail right from the campground!" reports Michele S. The campground serves as an excellent basecamp for both family-friendly trails and more challenging mountain ascents.
Fishing in secluded ponds: Some of the quieter campgrounds offer excellent fishing opportunities. At Crocker Pond, seven primitive sites sit along a small pond that's "excellent for catching a meal" according to Elliott B. The campground also features a trail leading "directly out of the campsite to another pond about a mile away offering a short round trip afternoon hike."
Isolation and quiet: Many campers value the secluded nature of certain campgrounds. At Basin Campground, Christina V. notes, "Basin Campground is a very small primitive campground with 20 campsites, off of a residential road turned forest road on the border of New Hampshire and Maine. The closest large grocery store is a considerable drive from Basin and there is no cell service within several miles in any direction."
Forest immersion: Town Hall Road Dispersed camping provides true forest camping without facilities. "Great sites. Some right on water. First come first serve, can get busy," writes Nickolas H. The sites along the river are particularly popular, with Erin H. noting, "It was one of our favorite camp spots yet! Very peaceful, beautiful and quiet. There are trout in the river."
Clean facilities: At the more developed campgrounds, well-maintained bathrooms receive frequent praise. At Papoose Pond Family Campground, campers appreciate the attention to cleanliness. "This campground is amazing. It is perfect for family camping. There is so much to do for all ages. The staff are amazing and so friendly. Campsites are spacious. Bathrooms are very clean," writes Tiffany C.
Bear activity: Black bears are common throughout the region. At Glen Ellis Family Campground, Kelly T. advises, "Remember you are in the mountains... you will see wildlife. Respect nature and heed the warnings of leaving food out on your campsite! It was our first time seeing a black bear walking around."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty or non-existent cell coverage. At Moose Brook State Park Campground, the remoteness means disconnecting from technology. The campground's location provides excellent access to trails but limited connectivity.
Road access challenges: Some dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. For Town Hall Road, Mark M. advises, "GPS initially took me on the wrong road - make sure you stay on Town Hall Rd no matter what the GPS says. After getting past the resident area you'll find a bunch of different pull outs to camp at."
Weather variability: The White Mountains create localized weather patterns that can change rapidly. Summer thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, particularly in riverside campgrounds. At Eastern Slope Camping Area, one reviewer noted sites getting flooded during heavy rains.
Water activities: Papoose Pond offers extensive water recreation suitable for children. "Pond with rentals, pool, mini golf, daily activities, crafts....so family friendly. Love the half moon and kitchen and bath sites," writes Carrie T. The campground's beach area provides safe swimming for different ages.
Educational experiences: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. At Dry River Campground, one camper mentioned, "There was an interpretive ranger staying there that held a fun night of scores and spooky stories."
Accessible bathrooms: For families with young children, bathroom proximity matters. Jean C. notes about Dry River Campground, "In addition to the full-service, handicap accessible wash house, there are vault toilets around the loop."
Limited hookup options: Most Forest Service and State Park campgrounds near Stow offer few or no hookups. At Town Hall Road, Rebecca B. advises, "If you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots. We were lucky to snag one on a Monday afternoon (last site before turnaround on FR38) and stayed all week."
Site layouts: Some campgrounds have challenging configurations for larger RVs. At Dolly Copp, one camper noted the renovations have improved access, writing, "You'll find new bathrooms with showers, roadways, and sites with and without electric hookups. Many of the sites are in open fields, but others provide shelter in the woods."
Reservation planning: The best places to camp near Stow, Maine require advance planning, especially for RVers. For peak season (July-August), reserve sites 3-6 months ahead, particularly for weekends and sites with hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Stow, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stow, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 289 campgrounds and RV parks near Stow, ME and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Stow, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stow, ME is Town Hall Road Dispersed with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stow, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Stow, ME.
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