A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went 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
Camping near Alton, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Alton, New Hampshire range from full-service RV resorts to rustic tent sites, with several options situated around lakes and mountains in the Lakes Region. Turtle Kraal RV Park in Alton provides seasonal camping from May through November with tent and RV accommodations. Calef Lake Camping Area offers lakefront sites that are popular with families. Within 20 miles, campers can access larger facilities like Gunstock Campground in Gilford with 250 sites for tents, RVs, and cabins, or the Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Milton which features cabin rentals and organized activities for families.
Most campgrounds in the Alton area operate seasonally from May through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Winter camping options are limited due to New Hampshire's cold temperatures and snow. Water and electric hookups are common at developed sites, while sewer connections vary by campground. Roads to most established campgrounds are well-maintained and accessible by standard vehicles. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly those farther from town centers. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when lakefront sites fill quickly. A camper familiar with the region noted, "This campground is perfect for a quick escape from southern NH without going too far north! Lake access 24/7 and secluded campsites, perfect for everyone!"
Waterfront access is a major draw for campers in the Alton region, with sites on lakes commanding premium prices and requiring advance booking. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, located about 30 minutes southwest of Alton, receives consistently positive reviews for its extensive trail system and water activities. Many campers appreciate the combination of natural setting and proximity to amenities. The campgrounds surrounding Alton offer varying levels of privacy, with some providing secluded, wooded sites while others focus on social camping experiences with organized activities. Bear Brook State Park Campground, approximately 40 minutes west, offers one of the larger camping areas in southern New Hampshire with access to multiple ponds and an extensive trail network. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "This extremely family-friendly campground comes equipped with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond."
Best Campgrounds near Alton (287)
1. Gunstock Campground
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Granite State Campground
"New bath houses, New hook-ups on many sites Close drive to Lake Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee, Close drive to Gunstock Mountain, not far from Laconia, wooded sites, The camp has some seasonal full timers"
"This campground is one of my favorites in the lakes region. Affordable prices, large wooded sites and great staff."
3. Jellystone Park™ Lakes Region
"Started with really expensive sites, and we had 4 of them next to one another. Rained the whole time we were there. Wouldnt even consider a discount, nothing."
"This is a glampground, keep this in mind, if your looking for a peacful Shangri-La seek another campground, if your looking to let loose and enjoy an amenity filled experience around other people, give"
from $64 / night
Check Availability4. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground
"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."
"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."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability5. Sun River Campground
"The facilities, which include bathhouses, a laundry room, and a beach situated along a tranquil river, contribute to a harmonious and enjoyable experience for all."
"Pros=rustic tent sites available on a River, very quiet nights, secluded campsites (however the 5 sites near us were empty so that likely has a little to do with noise level & space), playground available"
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Bear Brook State Park Campground
"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. Turtle Kraal RV Park
"Turtle Kraal RV campground is a gated RV campground just outside Alton Bay NH. Lots of great restaurants, ice cream shops and water activities are nearby! "
8. Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA
"We were able to book last minute and got a great tenting site, next to a running river that was great to sleep to. Very buggy, but it's outside, what do you expect?"
"Staff was very friendly and extremely cautious about their surroundings. Plenty of things to do to stay busy during the rainy days."
9. Ellacoya State Park Campground
"Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together."
"PROs: Small and typically quiet (always depends on the neighbors you get) Right on the lake with great views of the mountains Easy access to the adjoining state park beach Always a nice breeze Full hookups"
from $60 / night
Check Availability10. Lazy River Family Campground
"Saturday rolled around and some noisier guests came in for the night, they were several sites away and sounded like they were having a great time, didn't bother us."
"The family will definitely be making a few return trips, especially with the reasonable drive from the boston area to the grounds."
from $26 - $30 / night
Drive Time
- 51 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 32 min from Portland, ME
- 1 hr 33 min from Boston, MA
- 1 hr 40 min from Lewiston, ME
Recent Camping Photos near Alton, NH
677 Photos of 287 Alton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sun River Campground
Gunstock Campground
Tentrr Signature Site - Crooked Run Farm
Granite State Campground
Jellystone Park™ Lakes Region
Tail-TuckawayJ
Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA
Flat Rock Bridge Family Resort
Paugus Bay Campground
Lazy River Family Campground
Pine Ridge Campground
Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages
Recent Reviews near Alton, NH
1362 Reviews of 287 Alton Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
- SSean D.
TravelerWellington Camping Park
Very nice campground
A mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**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.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Richard P.ScoutSebago Lake Family Campground
Find a better place!
We just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
- ccarolyn H.Scout
Hemlock Grove Campground
Great stay! :)
Wonderful stay! Clean bathrooms/showers. Woodsy and quiet. Clean campsites with water and electric. The people were super helpful and friendly! Wonderful stay, would easy stay here again :)
Guide to Alton
Camping options near Alton, New Hampshire provide diverse recreational experiences on the edge of New Hampshire's Lakes Region, with sites situated at elevations ranging from 500 to 900 feet. The camping season typically extends from early May through mid-October, with average summer temperatures between 70-85°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. Several campgrounds offer direct water access to smaller ponds and rivers that connect to Lake Winnipesaukee's 72 square miles of water.
What to do
Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park: Located about 40 minutes west of Alton, the park offers extensive trail networks for various skill levels. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," notes one visitor who specifically camped there to check out the mountain bike trails.
Kayaking at Pawtuckaway State Park: About 30 minutes southwest of Alton, the park offers excellent flat-water paddling with rental options. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," explains a camper at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
River tubing at Sun River Campground: Located in Center Barnstead, this campground offers river access with beach areas for cooling off. According to a camper review, "This family-oriented campground fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among its guests. The facilities, which include bathhouses, a laundry room, and a beach situated along a tranquil river, contribute to a harmonious and enjoyable experience for all."
What campers like
Spacious sites at Gunstock Campground: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at this popular destination in Gilford. "Pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc," notes one reviewer at Gunstock Campground.
Waterfront access at Lazy River: Campers particularly enjoy direct river access for fishing and swimming. "Having the river right there for the kids to fish and dogs to swim was great. We were all alone at the end of the field, and that was ok with us!" shares a visitor at Lazy River Family Campground.
Privacy at Epsom Valley: Several campers mention the secluded wooded sites as a major draw. "My FAVORITE part was what was called the 'wilderness area'. AMAZING little tent sites! They were secluded but still had full hookups," explains a reviewer who appreciated the balance of amenities and natural setting at Epsom Valley Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season (late June through August), most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays and waterfront sites. At Pawtuckaway, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" mentions one camper.
Varying levels of amenities: Campgrounds near Alton offer significantly different facilities and services. "This campground is one of my favorites in the lakes region. Affordable prices, large wooded sites and great staff," notes a camper at Granite State Campground.
Weather considerations: The region experiences afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. "We stayed here twice, once in September 2013 and then again in September 2018 and it is one of my favorites...in 2013 site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with a an unexpected 36 hour downpour."
Tips for camping with families
Look for specialized activities: Several campgrounds offer kid-focused programming. "This extremely family-friendly campground comes equipped with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond," describes a visitor to Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Consider campground layout: Some sites offer better proximity to amenities. At Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA, a camper notes: "This Campground is family friendly and has a lot to offer. Our camping group consisted of children from the ages of 8-17 yrs old. No one was bored."
Water safety preparation: Many sites offer swimming but with varying supervision levels. "Love it. Great friendly staff. Stay right on the water. Clean and safe. Fun for kids," describes a visitor to Mi-Te-Jo Campground about water access for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on size and access needs. "Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni," notes an RVer at Gunstock Mountain Resort.
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer water, electric, and sewer connections, but availability varies. At Turtle Kraal RV Park in Alton, "This campground has wifi, good cell signal (AT&T and Verizon), a great pool, is pet friendly and well maintained...Each site has a firepit and a picnic table - though many sites have additions and build for an extended stay!"
Seasonal campground differences: Several campgrounds transition to seasonal sites after summer. "I stayed here from July to September last year in my RV, great spot right by the river. It was never too loud there, great locals stay there mostly," explains a camper who appreciated the atmosphere at Epsom Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds located in Alton, NH?
Where are the campgrounds located in Alton, NH?
Alton, NH offers several campground options in the scenic Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Gunstock Campground is located nearby in Gilford, providing easy access to Alton and featuring drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities. For those seeking a family-friendly environment, Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages is situated a short drive from Alton and offers beautiful lakeside camping with stunning views of a small New Hampshire pond. Additional nearby options include Sun River Campground in Center Barnstead and Granite State Campground in Belmont, all within a reasonable driving distance from Alton.
What amenities are available at Alton Bay campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Alton Bay campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Alton Bay typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Beach Rose RV Park features a clean, well-maintained pool setup in a quiet environment, making it perfect for families. Many campgrounds in the area provide essential amenities like firewood sales, clean restrooms, and access to water. Bear Brook State Park Campground, while a bit further, offers a comprehensive experience with a camp store, play structures, beaches, trails, and even a small baseball diamond. Most Alton Bay area campgrounds provide water access, picnic tables, and fire rings at individual sites, with varying levels of electrical hookups depending on the specific campground.
Are there RV rental options in Alton, New Hampshire?
Are there RV rental options in Alton, New Hampshire?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental businesses specifically in Alton, several options exist in the surrounding area. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp Resort, Lakes Region near Milton offers cabin rentals and potentially RV accommodations for visitors without their own equipment. Lazy River Family Campground is another option that might have rental opportunities. Many campers find success renting RVs from businesses in larger nearby towns like Rochester or Concord, then bringing them to Alton area campgrounds. Online peer-to-peer RV rental platforms also connect local RV owners with renters, providing flexible options for camping in the Alton region.
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