White Mountain National Forest surrounds Chatham, New Hampshire at elevations ranging from 700 to 3,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates across the region. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through April, with some higher-elevation campsites experiencing frost even in early September. Many dispersed camping areas require navigating unmaintained Forest Service roads with seasonal rutting after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Riverside hiking trails: Basin Campground provides easy access to hiking paths that showcase the region's natural beauty. "Lots of trillium and lady slippers on a nearby hike. Really outstanding view right at the campground picnic area," notes one visitor to Basin Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Black bears are commonly sighted at several campgrounds in the region. At Dolly Copp Campground, campers should "be certain to store food & toiletries safely per rules!" as "black bear are prominent and will venture across picnic tables and sites." The area is also known for moose sightings, with "signs to watch for moose throughout the forest as they are definitely around."
River activities: The Saco River provides multiple recreation options. At Saco River Camping Area, "you can take a short walk to the pavilion and put a tube in and float the river back around to the beach area." Most campgrounds along the river offer equipment rentals, with one visitor noting they did this float "4 times" during their stay.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Town Hall Road Dispersed, campers appreciate the spacing. "We loved this spot. 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. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private."
Resilient terrain: Several campgrounds handle rainy conditions well. One Town Hall Road camper noted, "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry." This makes the area viable even during New Hampshire's frequent precipitation.
Connectivity options: For those needing to stay connected, some sites accommodate technology needs better than others. At Town Hall Road, "If all we needed was a campsite with no solar or starlink, this would be 5 star review... But if you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots. We were lucky to snag on one a Monday afternoon (last site before turnaround on FR38)."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Bears are active throughout the White Mountain region. At Jellystone Park Glen Ellis, campers are warned to "remember you are in the mountains... you will see wildlife. Respect nature and heed the warnings of leaving food out on your campsite! It was our first time seeing a black bear walking around."
Weather preparedness: Conditions can change rapidly. A camper at Dolly Copp recommended to "bring a flashlight to check surroundings to ensure no bear surprises at night" and notes that weather can be unpredictable with "rains can be torrential."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Crawford Notch Campground noted that "except for one small bath area, there were porta potties throughout the campground" and cautioned that "because it's between two rivers (one is pretty swampy), it was very buggy."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming opportunities: Eastern Slope Camping Area offers water recreation for children. "Love that it is right on the Saco river, has two beaches," noted one visitor. Another mentioned the "large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."
Structured activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for children. At Papoose Pond Family Campground, they have "weekly events that we love! Tuesday trivia, Wednesday beach party, Thursday dance party, and Friday karaoke- the latter being the most fun! There are so many things for kids to do throughout as well, there's very little time for down time or boredom!!"
Bathroom proximity: Consider site selection carefully with children. At Papoose Pond, a camper cautioned about "the location of public restrooms. There aren't many... and some are extremely far away from campsites that don't allow campers." They recommend checking the map carefully when booking.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: For larger rigs, Dry River Campground offers good options. "Sites are spacious, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them. This can be good if you are with friends and reserve sites side by side (2 & 3; 12 & 13). Because most of the sites are on the outside of the loop or opposite sides of the road, you won't feel surrounded. There are no hookups. Site are back-in."
Road condition awareness: Access roads vary greatly in quality. A Dolly Copp visitor noted, "Be careful driving through the campground, the roads are in rough shape due to the construction." RVers should call ahead about current road conditions, especially after heavy rainfall.
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Dry River Campground runs from "May 5 to November 4" and some sites like Town Hall Road may be difficult to access outside of peak season due to snow and mud conditions.
