Best Tent Camping near Contoocook, NH
Tent campers exploring the Contoocook area of New Hampshire can find several established campgrounds within a reasonable drive. Tully Lake Recreation Area, located in nearby Royalston, Massachusetts, offers walk-in tent sites with varying levels of privacy and lake access. The Squam Lakes Association maintains primitive tent sites that require either hiking or boating to reach, supporting conservation efforts in the region. Lost Boys Hideout provides tent camping with basic amenities in a more secluded setting approximately 30 minutes from Contoocook.
Most tent-only sites in the region require campers to park in designated areas and transport gear to their campsite, with distances ranging from 50 yards to nearly a mile. Tully Lake provides wooden wheelbarrows to assist with gear transport, while more remote locations require hikers to carry all equipment. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some offering flush toilets and coin-operated showers, while others provide only composting toilets. A review mentioned that "the bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7." Fire rings are standard at most sites, though firewood availability differs by location.
Areas farther from town offer deeper seclusion and less noise, particularly at walk-in only campgrounds where vehicle traffic is eliminated. The absence of cars creates a notably quieter experience, as one camper noted that walk-in camping "made for a super quiet stay." Tree cover varies by location, with some sites offering significant shade and others providing more open areas with views. Tent campers at waterfront locations can enjoy direct access for swimming and paddling, with several campgrounds offering canoe and kayak rentals. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common throughout the region's tent campgrounds, though campers should be prepared for seasonal insects, particularly mosquitoes during summer months. Cell service tends to be limited or non-existent at most primitive tent sites in the area.