285 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Chatham, New Hampshire provides access to numerous dispersed camping areas and established campgrounds within the White Mountain National Forest. Town Hall Road Dispersed Camping serves as a popular free option along a riverside setting, while developed sites like Basin Campground and Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park offer more amenities. The camping landscape ranges from primitive tent sites to RV-accessible areas, with several locations also featuring cabin accommodations like those found at Jellystone Park Glen Ellis and Eastern Slope Camping Area.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring navigation on dirt or gravel roads. Town Hall Road, despite being unpaved, remains accessible for smaller vehicles and some medium-sized RVs. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, closing during winter months when snow and ice make access difficult. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many locations, particularly at dispersed sites. Permit requirements and amenities differ between public and private lands, with state park campgrounds requiring reservations during peak season. "The road was not as bad as I anticipated. There was room for my Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a squaredrop camper to pass the very few oncoming vehicles we encountered," noted one camper about Town Hall Road.
Waterfront sites consistently rank among the most sought-after in the region, with many campers specifically mentioning river access as a key feature. At Town Hall Road Dispersed Camping, several visitors highlighted the spacious sites adjacent to water. The campground's privacy and natural setting received numerous positive reviews, with campers noting the good separation between sites and the peaceful atmosphere. Established campgrounds like Basin Campground offer proximity to hiking trails and natural features, while sites along the Saco River provide water recreation opportunities. A visitor described Town Hall Road as having "a nice fire ring next to the river, reasonably level spot for our van, and a fun hiking trail just up the road." The camping area's balance of seclusion and accessibility makes it particularly appealing for those seeking a more authentic outdoor experience without venturing too far from amenities.
"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."
"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"
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m. Location!"
"Very dog freindly, many hiking trails in the the area. Next to zero cell phone service."
from $30 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
ScoutGenuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
GuideLovely campground near the lake. Many of the beaches were resident only so I highly recommend buying the $10 beach pass to access their private beach (There’s only two passes available so get there early) The lake was incredibly beautiful and so relaxing!
I will say site #23 is a bit of a tight squeeze, we had a travel trailer (About 21 ft) and a GMC Sierra and we had to pull the truck up tightly against the trailer so we weren’t sticking out. Wanna shout out Rick because he was so kind and very helpful!
TravelerWish there was closer bathrooms.
ScoutA little expensive but worth it. The pool and staff are awesome. Everything is clean.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
ScoutAll sites are at the top of the hill. Very walkable. Lots of seasonal campers with RVs and ATVs. Owners are very accommodating. Water is available though you have to fill up your own tanks via a community tank and ATV. Quiet and people are nice and helpful.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutThe cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
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.
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.
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)."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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