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Best Campgrounds in New Hampshire

1,482 Reviews

New Hampshire's state parks and forests host a range of campground options from primitive tent sites to full-service RV areas with hookups and amenities. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in Nottingham accommodates tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping with various access points including boat-in and hike-in sites. The White Mountains region contains several highly-rated mixed-use campgrounds like Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch State Park, which primarily serves tent and RV campers. Smaller campgrounds like Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park offer a more secluded camping experience while still providing essential amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water.

Most New Hampshire campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with a few locations extending into early November. Bear Brook State Park Campground in Deerfield remains open from early May to late October, while Hancock Campground is one of the few year-round options in the state. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during the peak summer months of July and August. Many campgrounds feature both reservable and first-come sites, with the majority of waterfront locations filling quickly. Winter camping requires additional preparation due to limited services and potential snow accumulation. One camper noted, "The electric and water sites we stayed at was just dirt, no grass anywhere. The full hookups looked better from what I saw."

Waterfront camping locations consistently receive positive feedback from visitors, with sites along lakes and rivers being particularly sought after. White Lake State Park Campground in Tamworth provides lake access with amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables. Several campgrounds offer family-friendly environments with activities like swimming and hiking nearby. A recent review highlighted that "The riverfront sights looked absolutely beautiful and some had better/easier access to the water than others." Campgrounds with full hookups tend to attract longer-stay visitors, while primitive sites appeal to those seeking a more traditional outdoor experience. Moose Brook State Park near Gorham maintains high ratings for its combination of natural setting and convenient facilities. Seasonal campers often recommend booking well in advance for prime locations, particularly at popular destinations like Pawtuckaway and Franconia Notch.

Best Camping Sites in New Hampshire (308)

    1. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Raymond, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 895-3031

    $35 - $140 / night

    "My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone."

    "Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."

    2. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    36 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 823-9513

    $35 / night

    "My first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream."

    "The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning."

    3. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    32 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $35 - $40 / night

    "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."

    "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"

    4. Lost River Valley Campground

    34 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 745-8321

    $62 - $209 / night

    "The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"

    "Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."

    5. Moose Brook State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-3860

    $35 - $45 / night

    "This state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."

    "This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."

    6. Bear Brook State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Candia, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 485-9869

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."

    "Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."

    7. Hancock Campground

    27 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $30 / night

    "This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."

    "Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."

    8. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    24 Reviews
    Chatham, NH

    "Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "

    "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."

    9. White Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    West Ossipee, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 323-7350

    $35 - $105 / night

    "Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."

    "I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."

    10. Crawford Notch Campground

    26 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $25 / night

    "Our site was big and walking around the grounds the other sites appeared to all be pretty good sized as well. They are not lying when they call their sites secluded either!"

    "Cabins and RV sites with hookups are closer yo the entrance, store and road. That latter feature is a bit if a bummer bc the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."

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Recent Camping Photos in New Hampshire

907 Photos of 308 New Hampshire Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

Recent Reviews in New Hampshire

1482 Reviews of 308 New Hampshire Campgrounds

  • A
    Oct. 10, 2026

    Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    Lovely Area Access Road Is A Speedway

    We arrived on a Wednesday in early October with intentions of enjoying the foliage, which we did.  We found the campsites easily and the access road is in good condition so the local speed through all day long.  

    I am not sure how many sites there are, we took the first one we would fit into.  We travel with a Lance camper mounted on a Silverado.  

    My travel companions are cats and they are accustomed to the typical noises of RV life; truck stops, rest stops, neighboring campers and the occasional disrespectful loud jerks.  At this spot we were serenaded by gun fire.  I served in the military and grew up on a farm; guns don’t bother me in the least.  I think of range fire as the sound of freedom, however, this started at dawn and did not stop until after the sun went down.  The gunfire was so loud and consistent that the cats got spooked and took to hiding inside the camper.

    We were going to stay for the weekend but left after our second night.  

    Not a bad spot (there is a small stream across the access road, not deep enough for true swimming but good enough for paddling around), surrounded by beautiful woods and no true neighbors, but between the never ending line of fast moving cars and the gun fire we decided to leave.

  • Senona C.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 9, 2026

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Dispersed Camping

    The campsites are very nice, but they are mostly made for tents or at biggest a van. There were only two spots that we could fit our school bus. About 35ft. We also have starlink so that’s a necessity to have clear sky view. The only campsite with this was the last campsite before the end of the road closes. Which was taken but they were gone in the morning we just moved down. Now it’s very secluded but the drive is very long down so plan for a couple days. You can stay up to 14 days. Road down is a little bumpy but our school bus made it through!

  • J
    Oct. 9, 2026

    Crow's Nest Campground

    Around The Fire

    First time camping in this area and we really liked it. The pool kept the kids busy and we spent the evenings around the fire.

  • SThe Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 8, 2026

    Twin Mountain Campground

    Twin Mountain Campground

    We come to this campground every year to hike a few 4000+ mountains. Typically we come in the fall. There are several full hook up rv sites, some without sewer and several spots for RVs near the river. While the pizza shop (Celli's) is closed for renovations right now, we love their pizza and fries. The bathrooms are decent and there is hot water!

  • B
    Oct. 8, 2026

    Crow's Nest Campground

    Our Favorite Part

    The Sugar River was our favorite part. We spent a good amount of time down by the water and the kids loved cooling off there.

  • Jen J.
    Oct. 6, 2026

    Shir-Roy Camping Area

    Peaceful

    Love this place. We were the only ones there during a weekday visit in October. It’s incredibly peaceful with wooded sites and the lake is just gorgeous with the fall foliage. Bonus that they deliver firewood to the campsite. My only wish and I wouldn’t knock a star off because we were literally the only ones there is I wish they didn’t lock the showers. I would have loved to have a shower but the office was closed and I wasn’t able to find anyone to unlock a shower. Just be prepared and bring your dude wipes 🤣 Other than that amazing place.

  • Keith P.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 6, 2026

    Maple Haven Campground

    Great Campground

    Quiet campground experience. Very cheerful staff member. Ice Cream shop is a bonus. We found a secluded spot without reservations. Monday evening. Some sites are tight for larger RVs but our Class B Camper Van fit fine.

  • Dana M.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 4, 2026

    Moose Brook State Park Campground

    We love this campground

    This is one of our “go to” campgrounds when in NH. Super clean and good mountain biking.

  • GThe Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 4, 2026

    Chocorua KOA

    Great campground and stay

    Park is nestled in the woods with a lot of activities outdoors. Walking trails for people and dogs. Great laundry, bathrooms, office/store, cafe. The roads into the sites are tight but they guide you. We have a 30’ trailer and 20’ truck, I wouldn’t bring a trailer longer than 35’ in unless you are really good in tight spaces. Site 110 is a great pull thru.

Guide to New Hampshire

Camping in New Hampshire offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, there's something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Gunstock Campground, where one reviewer said, “Got to walk to hike Gunstock.”
  • Water Activities: At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, visitors enjoy “lots of lovely waterfront sites” perfect for kayaking.
  • Family Fun: Families can enjoy the mountain coaster and ziplines at Gunstock Campground, where one camper noted, “The mountain coaster and chairlift were great for the little ones.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Dry River — Crawford Notch State Park, with one review stating, “Very nice and clean campground.”
  • Secluded Spots: Many enjoy the privacy at Tripoli Road, where a visitor mentioned, “Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of staff, as noted at Waterville Campground, where one reviewer said, “The gentlemen working is very nice... you can tell he cares about the place.”

What you should know

  • Bear Country: Some campgrounds, like Waterville Campground, are in bear territory. One camper warned, “It’s bear country so plan accordingly.”
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Hancock Campground have basic facilities. A visitor noted, “There was no running water at any of the pumps and the pit toilets were quite full.”
  • Noise Levels: Some sites, such as those at Big Rock, are near busy roads. A camper mentioned, “The highway is very close and therefore very loud, but it quiets down at night.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Gunstock Campground, which has “lots of land to walk the dogs” and a nice pool.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: At Waterville Campground, quiet hours are strictly enforced. One camper said, “You also have to whisper if you want to stay up and hang out around the campfire.”
  • Bring Activities: Keep kids entertained with games or crafts, especially at campgrounds like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, where there are “lots of great spots on the water.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should confirm site sizes at places like Gunstock Campground, which is “big rig friendly.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds, including Waterville Campground, do not offer electric hookups. One reviewer noted, “No electric hookups.”
  • Arrive Early: Popular spots like Tripoli Road can fill up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early, especially on weekends. A camper advised, “Be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout.”

Camping in New Hampshire is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in New Hampshire for families?

New Hampshire offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds with amenities that keep children entertained. Bear Brook State Park Campground stands out as the state's largest park with family-friendly facilities including play structures, a camp store, swimming beach, and even a baseball diamond. Families will appreciate the numerous trails and ponds to explore. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages is another excellent option, offering beautiful lakeside views and a well-maintained family atmosphere. The small, family-owned operation provides a peaceful setting where kids can enjoy water activities and parents can relax with scenic vistas. Both campgrounds provide the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and necessary amenities that make camping with children manageable and fun.

Where are the most scenic camping sites in New Hampshire state parks?

New Hampshire's state parks offer breathtaking scenic camping with natural beauty at every turn. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park provides spectacular mountain views and streamside sites in one of the state's most picturesque regions. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the dramatic scenery of Franconia Notch. Jigger Johnson Campground along the scenic Kancamagus Highway offers another stunning option with sites nestled among beautiful forest surroundings. The location provides easy access to hiking trails, swimming holes, and the natural wonders of the White Mountains. Both campgrounds showcase New Hampshire's diverse landscapes, from majestic mountain panoramas to peaceful woodland settings.

What are the most accessible places to camp in NH for first-time visitors?

First-time visitors to New Hampshire will find several easily accessible campgrounds that provide a welcoming introduction to camping in the Granite State. The Pastures Campground offers an ideal starting point with spacious sites featuring tables and fire rings, clean facilities including bathrooms, showers, and even a laundry room. Its location near the Vermont border provides convenient access while still delivering authentic New Hampshire camping. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins is another excellent choice for newcomers, offering riverside camping with ample parking and proximity to popular attractions like Clark's Trading Post. The campground's straightforward setup and convenient location make it perfect for those just beginning their New Hampshire camping adventures.

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