Best Tent Camping near Canterbury, NH
Canterbury, New Hampshire offers several tent camping options within a short drive, including basic established campgrounds and more secluded backcountry sites. Tent campers can find accommodations at Cardigan Campsites near Alexandria, which provides toilet facilities but limited amenities, or at Lost Boys Hideout, which offers drinking water, showers, and fire rings. The White Mountains region begins approximately 40 miles north, providing additional tent camping opportunities with varying levels of development.
Tent sites throughout the region generally feature natural surfaces with minimal leveling, requiring campers to select spots carefully. Many locations have fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply depending on conditions. Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds—Lost Boys Hideout and Sweetwater provide drinking water, while others like Viewland Campground lack this basic amenity. Most established tent campgrounds maintain toilet facilities, though they range from composting outhouses to full bathrooms with showers. A recent review noted that "the privvy was relatively new and in great shape" at one of the backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail.
Campers seeking more isolation can find walk-in and hike-in tent sites that offer greater privacy than drive-up locations. Squam Lakes Association maintains tent sites accessible by boat or hiking trails, with one visitor reporting that "the sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area." The backcountry tent sites typically provide fire rings and composting toilets but require campers to carry in their own water or filter from nearby sources when available. Summer weekends see higher occupancy at most tent campgrounds, while spring and fall offer more solitude with cooler temperatures. Canterbury's central location makes it a convenient base for tent campers exploring New Hampshire's lakes region and White Mountains.
