Camping sites near Campton, New Hampshire range in elevation from 700 to 1,500 feet, nestled within the southwestern portion of the White Mountain National Forest. Situated at the junction of Routes 49 and 175, Campton serves as a gateway to higher-elevation wilderness areas while offering lower-elevation camping along the Mad and Pemigewasset Rivers. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero, while summer evenings can require extra layers even after warm days.
What to do
River activities: Float the Pemi River at Branch Brook Campground where the crystal-clear water and gentle current create ideal conditions for families. "Tied our tubes to trees and lounged on the crystal clear river one of the days for the entirety of the day," reports one visitor who discovered the perfect relaxation spot. The campground offers tube rentals with a free shuttle service that takes you upstream so you can float back to your campsite.
Mountain hiking: Tackle the Osceolas from Campton Campground, which sits just 15 minutes from the trailhead. The 6.4-mile loop offers challenging terrain and stunning views. As one camper notes, "Great base camp for hiking Osceola & East Osceola. Easy access from I-93. Really great for access to Tripoli road, Waterville Valley." The elevation gain of approximately 2,100 feet makes this a full-day commitment.
Primitive camping: Explore Tripoli Road for dispersed camping opportunities with river access. Located about 10 minutes north of Campton, this 3-mile dirt road offers numerous unofficial sites. "Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river. Park staff are great and spots are well maintained," notes one regular visitor. Sites are first-come, first-served with a self-registration system at the ranger station near Russell Pond entrance.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Large campsites at Russell Pond Campground provide natural separation between neighbors. "The sites are huge and have a great amount of space between them. All of them have leveled areas for the picnic tables and tent pads," reports one camper who appreciated the thoughtful layout. The campground features both reservable and first-come, first-served sites, with the waterfront locations being particularly desirable.
Winter accessibility: Year-round options through Hancock Campground, which remains open when most other facilities close. "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites," notes one winter camper. The campground maintains plowed access roads and cleared sites during winter months, though water is unavailable during freezing temperatures.
Swimming spots: Natural water features at Waterville Campground provide cooling relief during summer heat. "My two teenagers and I stayed for four nights in site #17. The site is large enough for us to spread out our two tents, changing/shower tent and two hammocks. A path leads straight down to the river, which we can hear running from the tents at night," writes one visitor. The campground offers direct river access from several sites, with natural pools forming in certain sections.
What you should know
Bear activity: Food storage requirements are strictly enforced throughout the region. At Tripoli Road, bears have caused periodic closures. "Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters," reports one camper. Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes, but dispersed campers must bring appropriate storage.
Highway noise: Site selection matters when booking at several campgrounds near major roads. At Pemi River Campground, one visitor warns, "Several, quite a few camp/rv sites that are literally right next to highway 93, our RV site was. Make no mistake, the constant sound of highway traffic. For me it was hard to relax with the constant sound of traffic." Request sites furthest from highways when making reservations.
Seasonal limitations: Facility closures affect winter camping options. Many campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October only. When open year-round, amenities may be reduced. "Water would have earned it five stars," notes a winter visitor to Hancock Campground, indicating the shutdown of water systems during freezing months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kid-friendly amenities at Lost River Valley Campground include multiple play areas. "Cute little campground with many sites right on the river. My family has stayed here twice. You can't really swim much in the river, but the kids had a blast playing in it and fishing for little trout," shares one parent. The campground offers fishing opportunities in the adjacent stream where children can practice casting for small fish.
Bathroom proximity: Strategic site selection helps with young campers. At Campton Campground, facilities are distributed throughout the loops. "The bathrooms are all within walking distance. There is one shower for the entire campground and is coin operated. The toilets and sinks are kept clean but you must supply your own soap," advises a family camper. Sites numbered 15-25 offer the shortest walks to restrooms.
Safety considerations: Campground layout varies widely across the region. At Moose Hillock Camping Resort, one parent cautions, "The playground is across this busy road which I find very dangerous IMO." When booking with children, request detailed information about road crossings and potential hazards before arriving.
Tips from RVers
Site access: Limited large rig options exist in national forest campgrounds. At Lafayette Place Campground, RVs face particular challenges. "As far as the individual sites go, they are fairly standard. Roomy enough with a picnic table and fire ring and most are reasonably spaced far enough apart with trees to provide privacy," notes one RVer, but adds that many sites have difficult approaches due to trees and terrain. Most sites accommodate units under 30 feet.
Seasonal rates: Pricing variations affect budget planning throughout the year. Branch Brook Campground offers significant seasonal differences. "I stayed here mid week in October 2020. Besides me and a tent camper, there was no-one here. I was on site 17. Water+electric only. $25 per night," reports an off-season visitor, noting substantial savings compared to peak summer rates of $40-50 for the same sites.
Utility connections: Hook-up availability changes dramatically between public and private campgrounds. At Pemi River Campground, options range from tent sites to full-service connections. While forest service campgrounds rarely offer hookups, private campgrounds provide varied amenities at different price points.
