Tent camping near Canterbury, New Hampshire provides access to diverse camping environments ranging from riverfront sites to mountain-adjacent locations. The region sits at the transition between New Hampshire's lakes region and the foothills of the White Mountains, creating varied terrain and camping opportunities. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with spring and fall camping requiring warmer gear for nighttime temperatures that can drop into the 30s.
What to do
Climbing access: Baker Rocks campground serves as a convenient base for rock climbing enthusiasts visiting nearby locations. "I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area. Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins," notes Justin P., who appreciated the well-designed facilities.
Water activities: Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers multiple swimming options for cooling off during summer months. "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! I loved the lazy river and had so much fun," reports Samantha N.
Mountain hiking: Campsites at Cardigan facilitate easy access to mountain trails. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! Or after! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too," states Madison G., highlighting the hiking opportunities within walking distance of camp.
What campers like
Riverside relaxation: Baker Rocks provides direct river access and comfortable amenities. "Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river... Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery," describes Justin P., who enjoyed the thoughtfully designed property.
Private wooded sites: Tent platforms at several locations provide flat sleeping surfaces while maintaining forest immersion. "The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded," reports a camper at Baker Rocks, though noting "there was a bit of road noise overnight."
Climbing community: AAC Rattlesnake Campground caters specifically to climbers visiting Rumney. "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one! Maintained by the American Alpine Club, pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers," explains Les R.
What you should know
Site reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Availability at remote sites can be limited, requiring advance planning.
Facility variations: Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. Sweetwater offers full facilities with showers and toilets while more primitive sites may have composting toilets or no facilities at all.
Permanent resident areas: Some campgrounds operate partially as seasonal communities. A visitor to Viewland Campground observed: "We passed many campers that had been on this property permanently, several of which had porches attached or additional rooms built on the side... It felt like an established community of people that reside on a permanent or semi-permanent basis."
Tips for camping with families
Water-focused recreation: Multiple water features keep children engaged at larger campgrounds. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!" reports a Salmon Falls visitor.
Animal encounters: Baker Rocks offers opportunities to visit farm animals. "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)," mentions April W., who enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere despite rainy conditions.
Tent alternatives: Several campgrounds offer glamping options for families seeking more comfort. "Our family of 4 visited Baker Rocks during a very rainy week and still had an amazing time. We stayed 2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt both were spacious and wonderful," notes April W.
Tips from RVers
Limited big-rig access: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Canterbury cannot accommodate larger RVs due to narrow access roads and limited site dimensions.
Partial hookup options: Lost Boys Hideout provides water access but lacks electric and sewer connections for RVs, limiting stays to those who can boondock.
RV-friendly alternatives: For full-service camping, RVers should consider Salmon Falls River RV Resort which offers full hookups. "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," reports Aaron G., though noting some transition issues when the campground joined the KOA network.
