Nestled in the eastern region of New Hampshire, Center Ossipee sits at an elevation of around 480 feet in the foothills of the White Mountains. The area typically experiences warm summers with average temperatures in the 70s°F and cold winters dropping into the 20s°F. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-amenity RV parks, with several locations offering direct access to waterways for paddling and swimming.
What to do
Hiking trails: White Ledge Campground provides access to several hiking options including Carter Ledge trail to Mount Chocorua. "There's a beautiful board walk that leads through the marsh to a system of short nature trails. We really enjoyed walking the trails though some need a lot of work due to fallen trees and overgrowth," notes one visitor to Chocorua KOA.
River activities: The Saco River is a major attraction for tubers, paddlers, and swimmers. Eastern Slope Camping Area sits right on the river. "This is a nice little campground if you're doing the Saco, has a nice bath house, has a bunch of campsites, a good store that has everything that you might have forgotten! The river is right there and you can splash around in it," shares one camper.
Mountain views: The White Mountains offer scenic drives and overlooks. A visitor to White Lake State Park notes, "The view of the sun setting over the white mountains (you can just make out Chocorua) over white lake is unreal." Several campgrounds provide direct mountain views right from your campsite.
What campers like
Sandy beaches: On the Saco Family Campground receives praise for its river access. "The river was perfect, sandy bottom, refreshing current, we anchored ourselves for a bit then pulled it up and just floated down river for awhile before walking back along the sandbars right in the river!" reports one happy camper.
Quiet evenings: Many campers appreciate the enforced quiet times. At Waterville Campground, "Sites are close together and quiet hours (10p-6a) are taken seriously. This does not just mean music goes off, you also have to whisper if you want to stay up and hang out around the campfire."
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse wildlife. At White Lake State Park, one camper reports, "We were able to hear the loons calling on the lake at night." Others mentioned deer sightings and even bears at some of the more remote sites, adding to the wilderness experience.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy: Campground layouts vary significantly in the region. At White Lake State Park Campground, "The sites are pretty spacious and there were enough suitable trees to hang two hammocks," but others note that "tent sites are way too close together, not much privacy."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities range widely from primitive to well-appointed. "Showers were coin op. Hot, good pressure and about as clean as you could expect during mud season," reports a camper at White Lake State Park. Meanwhile, at Waterville Campground, "There are no sinks. There are signs to wash your hand but not a single sink during Covid. The bathrooms are outhouses."
Yurt camping: Center Ossipee, New Hampshire and surrounding areas offer alternative accommodations. Harbor Hill Camping Area provides yurt camping options for those seeking something between tent camping and cabin rentals. At On the Saco Family Campground, yurt accommodations are available with the convenience of being near the river.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When choosing family sites, check for play areas. At Eastern Slope Camping Area, "At night they did wagon rides around the campground which our little ones really enjoyed." Though one camper notes a limitation: "the only con is the park for kids only has swings."
Beach activities: Covered Bridge Campground offers river access perfect for cooling off. "It was great to wade in the river by the entrance after hiking and cool my feet off," shares a visitor. Many campgrounds in the area have designated swimming areas with gradual entry points that work well for children.
Bike-friendly options: Some campgrounds have safe cycling paths. At White Lake State Park, "the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground." These traffic-controlled environments allow children more freedom to explore while staying within the campground boundaries.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some waterfront sites require extra work. At Chocorua KOA, "Most of the waterfront sites are back in, and the only level part of the site is away from the deck and water. My wife wanted to get the camper up close to the deck so our area under the awning was close to that, which meant I had a lot more leveling to do."
Access limitations: Larger RVs may struggle at certain campgrounds. At Harbor Hill Camping Area, "Sites are easy to get in to with an RV and level," but other campgrounds have restricted access. Covered Bridge Campground notes, "The road in for RVs is not terrific. There is about a 1/2 mile that is mostly one lane (with a drop off on one side)."
Hookup options: Full-service sites are available at several campgrounds. At Eastern Slope Camping Area, each site "has a wood canopy, picnic bench, electrical, water spigot & designated fire pit." This makes it convenient for RVers who want amenities while still enjoying the natural setting.
