Best Tent Camping near Bow, NH
Bow, New Hampshire provides access to several tent camping areas with varying amenities and locations. Tent campers can find established sites at Lost Boys Hideout, which offers drinking water and showers but requires a walk-in approach to reach the tent sites. The Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area, located about 12 miles southwest of Bow, provides a more primitive tent camping experience with reservable sites that are popular with outdoor enthusiasts seeking seclusion.
Most tent-only campgrounds in the region have basic amenities including fire rings and designated tent pads, though facilities vary considerably between locations. Walk-in tent sites typically require campers to park in a designated lot and carry gear a short distance to their campsite. Campers should verify seasonal availability before planning trips, as several tent camping areas operate seasonally from May through October. Tully Lake Recreation Area, though farther away in Massachusetts, offers tent campsites where "you park at the entrance and use wooden wheelbarrows provided to bring your gear to your camp site," according to a review on The Dyrt, noting this results in "no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites."
The tent camping experience near Bow offers a range of settings from wooded areas to lakeside options. Sites at Cardigan Campsites provide access to hiking trails with one reviewer noting it's a "great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan." Primitive tent setups typically offer more privacy than developed campgrounds, though they often lack amenities like showers or flush toilets. For tent campers seeking water access, Squam Lakes Association maintains walk-in and boat-in tent sites with composting toilets. These backcountry camping areas appeal to campers seeking a more authentic outdoor experience, though sites at popular locations fill quickly when reservations open. Most walk-in tent locations maintain a reasonable balance between accessibility and wilderness immersion, allowing campers to enjoy natural surroundings without venturing too far from their vehicles.