Surrounded by the White Mountains, Effingham, New Hampshire sits at about 600 feet elevation in a region known for its clear lakes and pine forests. The area experiences typical New England seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 75-80°F and cold winters dropping to single digits. Campgrounds near Effingham typically operate from May through October, with the peak season bringing the fullest facilities and warmest swimming conditions.
What to Do
**Hiking trails: At White Ledge Campground, access the White Ledge Loop Trail directly from camp. "We hiked the White Ledge Loop which was 4.1 miles and got amazing views. The brooks running through are beautiful," shares Sarah J. The trail offers moderate terrain suitable for most ability levels.
**River swimming: Cool off in the Saco River after a day of hiking. "The Saco River is unreal, with the mountains in the background it just feels incredibly peaceful and serene," notes a camper from White Lake State Park. Many campsites offer direct river access with shallow sections for children.
**Canoeing and kayaking: Rent watercraft at several locations including Jellystone Park Glen Ellis. "The swimming hole in the Saco River. Crystal clear, ice cold and refreshing. Tube, swim or dip your feet it is a great way to spend the afternoon," shares Brian G. Rental prices typically range from $15-30 depending on craft size and duration.
**Mountain biking: The Kancamagus Highway area provides numerous mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. Bring your own bikes or rent from outfitters in Conway. Trails are best from June through September when conditions are driest.
What Campers Like
**River proximity: At Eastern Slope Camping Area, the river access is a major draw. "Love that it is right on the Saco river, has two beaches," notes Jennifer O. Sites near the water tend to book first, sometimes 3-6 months in advance during peak season.
**Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms at the beach include flush toilets, but no showers. In the campground there are coin-operated (2 minutes/$0.25), hot and clean showers," reports Jean C. about White Lake State Park.
**Family activities: On the Saco Family Campground receives high marks for its organized events. "Tiny gem of a campground... took a shuttle up with some kayaks- reasonably priced- and drifted back down 10 miles right to our site!!" writes Kristy B. The campground's shuttle service runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
**Natural setting: Most glamping sites near Effingham maintain wooded environments. "Sites are fairly standard- dirt floor with gravel packed in around the circle fire rings. We grilled right on the grate provided. Big picnic tables are provided on each site. All sites are wooded with plenty of trees to get a good tarp," explains Angela T.
What You Should Know
**Weather considerations: The region can experience unpredictable weather patterns. "When it rains it floods the sites near the bathroom toward the beginning of the entrance. Big RV will have trouble maneuvering in here because it is tight," warns a camper about Eastern Slope Camping Area.
**Spacing between sites: Site privacy varies widely between campgrounds. At Covered Bridge Campground, "the sites are quite large and have a good amount of space between them," notes Melissa W. Consider requesting more isolated sites when making reservations.
**Bear activity: Wildlife encounters are possible. "There were 2 active bears while we were there. They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!" reports Liz S. at Jellystone Park Glen Ellis. Most campgrounds provide bear-safe storage information upon check-in.
**Reservation requirements: Glamping in Effingham, New Hampshire and surrounding areas often requires advance booking. Many prime sites are reserved 6-12 months ahead, especially for holiday weekends and mid-summer dates.
Tips for Camping with Families
**Choose family-oriented campgrounds: Acres of Wildlife Family Campground specializes in family amenities. "They had three (!!) playgrounds, a swimming lake, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, tie-dying, a great camp store, a bar for adults, ice cream bar for kids and nightly firetruck rides!" shares Jenna P.
**Consider site location: Look for sites close to bathrooms for convenience with small children. "I had a site next to the bathroom, which was very helpful and I felt confident letting my children go to the bathroom alone," reports STephanie C. from White Lake State Park.
**Plan for rainy days: Weather in the White Mountains can change quickly. Pack board games, books, and have a list of nearby indoor attractions. The L.L. Bean outlet and other stores in Conway provide rainy day alternatives about 20-25 minutes from most Effingham area campgrounds.
**Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities. "They do arts and crafts, movie nights, hikes and other things for children you can also rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, there's an arcade and some lawn games," explains Austin H. about Chocorua KOA.
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "When I say a lot, I mean my 5" drive on leveling blocks weren't enough and I had to put them on top of a 2x8 to level the camper out," notes Michael K. about his experience at Chocorua KOA. Bring extra leveling blocks.
**Hookup locations: Expect variation in utility placement. "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots," advises Ed C. from Acres of Wildlife. Extension cords and extra-long sewer hoses (25+ feet) are recommended.
**Height restrictions: Some campgrounds have access limitations. "Covered bridge has 7.9' height restriction from the main scenic highway. We had to go out to Conway and drive back in," warns Jae H. Always verify access routes when booking reservations for larger RVs.
**Seasonal considerations: Most glamping options in Effingham, New Hampshire close by mid-October. As Norma S. notes, "Considering the campground was full all weekend it was fairly quiet with the exception of some noise from the Kanc (just over the Smith River)." Fall weekends tend to be busiest for leaf-viewing.
