Albany, New Hampshire sits at the southeastern edge of the White Mountain National Forest at approximately 800 feet elevation, with the Swift River running through the area's rocky terrain. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F during peak camping months (June-September). Winter snowfall makes most campgrounds operate seasonally, with closures typically beginning in mid-October.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Covered Bridge Campground, visitors can access the Boulder Loop Trail directly from the campsite. "Boulder Loop Trail is attached to the campground(it's relatively short, offers several great vista views, and you can walk there from the campground and not have to deal with parking)," notes one camper who appreciated the convenience. The trail offers mountain views without needing to drive to a trailhead.
River activities: The Saco River provides excellent recreation opportunities for campers. "The river was perfect, sandy bottom, refreshing current, we anchored ourselves for a bit then pulled it up and just floated down river for awhile before walking back along the sandbars right in the river!" shares a visitor to On the Saco Family Campground. Many campgrounds offer tube and kayak rentals with shuttle services.
Mountain exploration: The White Mountains region offers numerous day trips. "We took the kids there for years and we all loved it. It's close to hiking trails and fishing spots and is clean and well run," explains a visitor to White Lake State Park. Trail difficulty ranges from beginner-friendly paths to challenging mountain ascents, with most accessible from May through October.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as important. "Sites are large and level. Many large trees created a lot of shade. A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper," reports a visitor to Eastern Slope Camping Area, highlighting the importance of having your own space.
Natural water features: Lakes and rivers enhance the camping experience. "Waking up to the sound of the loons in the morning was wonderful," writes a camper at Chocorua KOA. Water access varies by location, with some offering sandy beaches while others provide more rustic access points to rivers or ponds.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. "The bathrooms at the beach include flush toilets, but no showers. In the campground there are coin-operated (2 minutes/$0.25), hot and clean showers," notes a camper at White Lake State Park. Facility quality and availability varies significantly between established campgrounds and more rustic options.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Wildlife encounters require preparation. At Waterville Campground, a camper reported: "The first day I got there at around 5:30 I was sitting in my hammock reading when a black bear cub strolled through my campsite. We scared the poop out of each other. Local police came and said they have been having problems with the bears coming through my site particularly." Proper food storage is essential throughout the White Mountains region.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from late May through early October. "Seasonal operations run primarily from May through mid-October at most glamping properties in the region," with exact dates varying by property. Some yurt camping options in Albany, New Hampshire may have limited availability outside peak season.
Noise considerations: Campsites vary in privacy and noise levels. "Sites are close together and quiet hours are not honored here, fails to feel family friendly sometimes. My first trip I was next to partygoers and they played heavy metal, cussing, and drinking late into midnight," shares one camper about their experience at a popular lake campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Water features keep children entertained. "Every summer, we would take the kids camping for a week at White Lake State Park and we all loved it. There's a great beach with lots of room and a big Sandy swimming area. You can rent canoes, hike around the lake, and the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground," shares a repeat visitor to the park.
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. "Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis has lots of activities to do during the day, especially for the kids," notes a camper who stayed with their family. Many organized campgrounds offer weekend programs during summer months.
Book early for holiday weekends: Popular family campgrounds fill quickly. "We stayed here during the Independence Day holiday. It was wicked hot, but being right on the river made it easy to jump in and cool down," mentions a visitor to Glen Ellis Family Campground. Holiday weekends often require reservations 3-6 months in advance.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some waterfront sites require extra equipment. At Chocorua KOA, an RVer notes: "The only level part of the site is away from the deck and water. My wife wanted to get the camper up close to the deck so our area under the awning was close to that, which meant I had a lot more leveling to do. And when I say a lot, I mean my 5" drive on leveling blocks weren't enough and I had to put them on top of a 2x8 to level the camper out."
Access restrictions: Some campgrounds have height or size limitations. "Covered bridge has 7.9' height restriction from the main scenic highway. We had to go out to Conway and drive back in," warns an RVer. For yurt camping in Albany, New Hampshire, these restrictions don't apply, but access roads can still be challenging for large vehicles.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites book quickly in this region. "Site 45 was pretty narrow but the other two sites had a bit more space so we mostly used 43 and 47 to hang out. We especially loved that the pull-through road behind our sites was not a main access road so we had a nice long stretch of road that was just for us," shares an RVer about site selection at a popular campground.
