Best Campgrounds near Chatham, NH

Searching for the best camping near Chatham, NH? Chatham is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Chatham. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Chatham, New Hampshire (278)

    1. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    4 miles

    "Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "

    "There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part."

    2. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    31 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Cool location right on the edge of the Dry River Wilderness. Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area. Some spots are right on the highway with not much tree cover in between so can be loud."

    "This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"

    3. Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis

    13 Reviews
    Glen, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 383-4567

    "Located between the Ellis River and the Saco River, this campground offers so many fantastic amenities."

    "Plenty to

    do at the campground and around the surrounding area for people

    of all ages.

    Remember you are in the mountains... you will see wildlife."

    4. Eastern Slope Camping Area

    17 Reviews
    Conway, NH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-5092

    "A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."

    "Great location with easy ride to all North Conway attractions. Nice hay ride and playground. The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out. We visited Story Land and Mt."

    5. Dolly Copp Campground

    19 Reviews
    Randolph, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    $30 - $44 / night

    "PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m.

    Location!"

    "This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel."

    6. Basin Campground

    8 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-5448

    $30 / night

    "It’s located in Evan’s Notch, so close to many wonderful hiking trails and next to lovely Basin Pond. So quiet!"

    "This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer."

    7. Moose Brook State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-3860

    $35 - $45 / night

    "This state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."

    "This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly.

    Nice site."

    8. Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins

    14 Reviews
    North Waterford, ME
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 583-4470

    "If you bring yoyr own kayaks there is a ruver with a take out close to the campground. U could walk back or drive in with a truck for pick up! This place is amazing! Will continue to go every year!"

    "Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy."

    9. Saco River Camping Area

    10 Reviews
    North Conway, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 356-3360

    "They have bike rentals, disc golf, ping pong table, outside big chess game, pool,

    outlet shopping was near by, near by historic sites, like kangamangus Highway, diana’s Bath, cathedral ledge, we went"

    "People to our left and the ones behind us were annual vistors to this campground. We are new to Rving it was refreshing to be around such nice people."

    10. Crawford Notch Campground

    24 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $25 / night

    "-Our site was big and walking around the grounds the other sites appeared to all be pretty good sized as well. They are not lying when they call their sites secluded either!"

    "Cabins and RV sites with hookups are closer yo the entrance, store and road. That latter feature is a bit if a bummer bc the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."

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Recent Reviews near Chatham, NH

1288 Reviews of 278 Chatham Campgrounds


  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground

    Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Nice trail that borders campground. Saw group of cyclists and hikers use it during stay. No WiFi but T-Mobile accessible. Toilet is rustic, short wooden walls surrounding vault toilet. Various sized campsites yet not crowded. Kitchen area is a cool feature & offers campers use of community utensils & pans (although we didn't need to use). Kitchen has hot water to wash dishes and microwave to warm food. Town of Freeport is popular and LL Bean has huge shopping campus.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground

    Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Nice trail that borders Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Nice trail that borders campground. Saw group of cyclists and hikers use it during stay. No WiFi but T-Mobile accessible. Toilet is rustic, short wooden walls surrounding vault toilet. Various sized campsites yet not crowded. Kitchen area is a cool feature & offers campers use of community utensils & pans (although we didn't need to use). Kitchen has hot water to wash dishes and microwave to warm food. Town of Freeport is popular and LL Bean has huge shopping campus. campground. Saw group of cyclists and hikers use it during stay. No WiFi but T-Mobile accessible. Toilet is rustic, short wooden walls surrounding vault toilet. Various sized campsites yet not crowded. Kitchen area is a cool feature & offers campers use of community utensils & pans (although we didn't need to use). Kitchen has hot water to wash dishes and microwave to warm food. Town of Freeport is popular and LL Bean has huge shopping campus.

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?

  • Josh S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountain Lake Camping Resort

    Great campground for families!

    If you're looking for a safe, family friendly, quiet campground this is it.

    Pool with water slides for kids, Kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, playground with slides and a pirate ship.

    Strict quiet hours at 1030 make it very quiet in the evening with no worry of loud parties keeping you up.

    Super clean restrooms and sites and a camp store with about everything in it.

    10 minute drive to the cute town of Lancaster which has coffee shops, brewery, restaurants, bakery and groceries.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Chill spots with nearby creek and river

    Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road.

  • Julie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Wassamki Springs Campground

    Great Family campground!

    The amenities here make it a wonderful place for kids and adults!!   Nice,  clean and quiet!    I stayed on a spot by the water, that was totally worth the upgrade.

  • Dale S.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Nauman Tentsite

    Perfect Camping Adventure in White Mountains

    This campsite sounds like a perfect spot for nature lovers who enjoy rugged terrain and peaceful surroundings. The mix of wooden platforms, nearby water sources, and bear protection measures shows how well-prepared it is for group camping. Exploring trails like the Appalachian or enjoying the views from Mount Washington would make the trip even more memorable— almost like the adventure and excitement you find in an android game.

  • Amanda B.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Fabulous Front Backcountry Camping

    8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart. It's wonderfully relaxing and quiet. The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Plymouth Sands Camping Area

    Nice campground with amenities and friendly owners

    The campground is in a convenient location near lots of hiking trails and attractions. The sites are decently spacious and have various configurations for utilities. There is a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim. We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids. Firewood is available on site. There is a bathroom with a few stalls and sinks that is well kept and clean. The showers are quarter operated with a coin heat lamp as well for the colder seasons. The office has a lending library of games available. The couple that owns the campground are very friendly and have owned it for 3 seasons now and they have done a great job making sure that amenities are kept up and upgrades are being made.


Guide to Chatham

Camping near Chatham, New Hampshire, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails in the White Mountain National Forest. Many campers enjoy the access to various hiking paths. One reviewer from Lafayette Place Campground mentioned, "The whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at fishing in local streams and ponds. A visitor at Moose Brook State Park Campground shared, "Nice camp store, great access to rivers for fishing. Pulled an 8” brook trout out of a 10’ wide stream onsite."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip in nearby lakes. Campers at White Lake State Park Campground noted, "The lake water is crystal clear (and warmer than expected)."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Moose Brook State Park Campground said, "Nice small campground with very clean bathrooms and showers!"
  • Friendly Staff: Campgrounds like Dry River Campground are praised for their helpful staff. One camper remarked, "Super helpful and friendly!"
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Dolly Copp Campground expressed, "The scenery is spectacular, the river is beautiful."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads, which can be noisy. A camper at Lafayette Place Campground mentioned, "As others have noted, there is a bit of noise from Rt. 93."
  • Privacy Concerns: Sites can be close together, affecting privacy. A reviewer at Hancock Campground noted, "Most sites are close together with very little privacy."
  • Reservation Issues: Some popular sites can be booked up quickly. A visitor at Dry River Campground mentioned, "The nicest sites were reserved the entire time we were there and they were total no-shows."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A camper at Sebago Lake State Park Campground said, "This is a nice park for families. The lake is clean and nice."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at Eastern Slope Camping Area noted, "They have lots of things to do for kids."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A camper at Crawford Notch Campground mentioned, "Having a general store at the entrance was very helpful."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Moose Brook State Park Campground said, "Not great for larger RV or trailers but we found accommodation for our 27 footer."
  • Look for Hookups: If you need electric or water hookups, check the campground features. A camper at Dolly Copp Campground noted, "There are a number of sites for RV's with water and electric hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Always check the forecast before heading out. A visitor at Hancock Campground mentioned, "The campground is close to Lincoln, NH so if you need supplies you can easily run into town for food and drink."

Camping near Chatham, New Hampshire, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best beaches in Chatham, MA?

Chatham boasts several pristine beaches perfect for different experiences. Lighthouse Beach offers stunning views of Chatham Lighthouse and expansive shorelines ideal for long walks. Harding's Beach features calmer waters perfect for families with children, plus convenient parking and facilities. Ridgevale Beach provides warmer waters and great opportunities for tide pool exploration during low tide. For a more secluded experience, Cockle Cove Beach tends to be less crowded while still offering beautiful coastal views. Most Chatham beaches require a town beach permit during peak season, though some offer daily parking fees for visitors.

Where can I find camping sites near Chatham, Cape Cod?

While Chatham itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are within a short drive. Nickerson State Park in nearby Brewster offers over 400 wooded campsites around freshwater ponds, perfect for swimming and fishing. Atlantic Oaks Campground in Eastham provides full hookups for RVs with easy access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. For a more rustic experience, consider camping on the National Seashore (with proper permits). Most Cape Cod campgrounds book quickly for summer months, so reservations 6+ months in advance are recommended, especially for weekend stays in July and August.

What are the top things to do in Chatham with kids?

Chatham offers numerous family-friendly activities for memorable experiences with kids. The Chatham Fish Pier provides exciting opportunities to watch commercial fishing boats unload their catch while seals often gather nearby. Explore the Chatham Lighthouse with guided tours on select days, offering educational insights and spectacular views. The Chatham Railroad Museum features interactive exhibits perfect for train enthusiasts of all ages. Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins visitors often recommend similar New England family attractions. For outdoor adventures, try biking the Old Colony Rail Trail, mini-golf at Chatham Seaside Links, or wildlife spotting at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

When is the best time to visit Chatham, Massachusetts?

The ideal time to visit Chatham is during the shoulder seasons of late May to mid-June or September to early October. These periods offer pleasant temperatures (65-75°F), fewer crowds, and reduced accommodation rates while most attractions remain open. Summer (late June through August) brings perfect beach weather and all seasonal businesses are operating, but expect peak crowds and prices. Saco River Camping Area visitors often recommend similar timing for New England coastal trips. Winter visits (November-March) offer a quieter, authentic Cape Cod experience with holiday festivities, though many seasonal businesses close and temperatures average 30-45°F.