New Hampshire's state parks and forests host a range of campground options from primitive tent sites to full-service RV areas with hookups and amenities. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in Nottingham accommodates tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping with various access points including boat-in and hike-in sites. The White Mountains region contains several highly-rated mixed-use campgrounds like Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch State Park, which primarily serves tent and RV campers. Smaller campgrounds like Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park offer a more secluded camping experience while still providing essential amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water.
Most New Hampshire campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with a few locations extending into early November. Bear Brook State Park Campground in Deerfield remains open from early May to late October, while Hancock Campground is one of the few year-round options in the state. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during the peak summer months of July and August. Many campgrounds feature both reservable and first-come sites, with the majority of waterfront locations filling quickly. Winter camping requires additional preparation due to limited services and potential snow accumulation. One camper noted, "The electric and water sites we stayed at was just dirt, no grass anywhere. The full hookups looked better from what I saw."
Waterfront camping locations consistently receive positive feedback from visitors, with sites along lakes and rivers being particularly sought after. White Lake State Park Campground in Tamworth provides lake access with amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables. Several campgrounds offer family-friendly environments with activities like swimming and hiking nearby. A recent review highlighted that "The riverfront sights looked absolutely beautiful and some had better/easier access to the water than others." Campgrounds with full hookups tend to attract longer-stay visitors, while primitive sites appeal to those seeking a more traditional outdoor experience. Moose Brook State Park near Gorham maintains high ratings for its combination of natural setting and convenient facilities. Seasonal campers often recommend booking well in advance for prime locations, particularly at popular destinations like Pawtuckaway and Franconia Notch.
$35 - $140 / night
"My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone."
"Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."
$35 / night
"My first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream."
"The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning."
$62 - $209 / night
"The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"
"Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."
$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"
$35 - $45 / night
"This state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."
"In addition to our designated spot, we had access to a large open space behind that many people utilized to play games or expand their camping area."
$35 - $45 / night
"Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."
"Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."
$30 / night
"This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."
"Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."
$35 - $105 / night
"Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."
"I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."
$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."
$49 - $129 / night
"Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."
"Plenty of walking for dogs with a natural pool for them to swim in and the large pool with pirate ship is perfect for little kids with the beach entry. easy location to get to with a travel trailer too"
ScoutThe Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
ScoutBeautiful campground. Private spaces. Staff is very friendly.
ScoutWe stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
ScoutWe booked three nights of dry camping and arrived Friday excited to start our weekend. Unfortunately, we barely made it 24 hours before deciding to leave because of the way we were treated. We were told by another man at the campground that we were permitted to run our quiet generator overnight. The posted cutoff time was 9:00 AM, and we fully intended to shut it off by then. At approximately 8:50 AM the following morning, a woman who lives on-site who is named Karen(no pun intended)- and appeared to run the facility came pounding on our RV door, yelling at us about running the QUIET generator all night. We tried to explain that we had been told we were allowed to do so and that we were going to shut it off at the required time. Instead of having a reasonable conversation, we felt that we were essentially pushed out and harassed during the short time we were there. We also had our baby with us, and it was a hot summer night. Being told that we should have simply opened the windows was incredibly frustrating and felt completely dismissive of our situation. We came to enjoy a three-night camping weekend and instead left after barely 24 hours because of how uncomfortable and unwelcome we were made to feel. We have never experienced this kind of treatment at a campground before. Unfortunately, based on this experience, we will never be returning to Hampton State Park RV Camping. The way we were treated was completely unacceptable and left us extremely disappointed and disgusted with the experience. She told us and I quote“this is a campground, not a prison” But clearly it wasn’t.
ScoutI am writing because I am deeply concerned about the treatment of my disabled adult daughter: today and last week at Pine Acres. She loved the campground and sent me literally 100s of pictures of the wildlife and activities.
She had a friendly connection with Brendan and some other staff; she had a terrible Christmas last year, and she told me how doing a Christmas craft and attending your Christmas party healed that for her. She was happy, and I can’t imagine she was an issue other than the crying.
She sent me pictures of the“ neighborhood” she was moving into for the rest of the season. She was happy. She’s been struggling so much since the loss of that dog. I felt like she had found a place to heal, was having fun, and was going to be ok. She mentioned wanting to be friendly( greeting people is hard for her) and make the park a better place, like picking up others' trash. I was shocked to hear she was asked to leave simply for having an autistic meltdown, a neurological event she will experience for the rest of her life, like a seizure. Even if this made others uncomfortable, she didn’t damage any property, threaten anyone, or do anything that could possibly warrant this treatment. It seems that someone was uncomfortable with the intensity of autistic emotions, and she and I now faced devastating consequences, including additional costs. Moreover, I also have a traumatized daughter who is scared to settle again kicked out for crying.
This never needed to be handled like this. She tried to advocate for herself and ask for one more night to prepare, but she never refused to leave; she was packing well, advocating. She was also advocating, believing that the people who had been so kind would be reasonable. Then she was retaliated against for that advocacy. Grace is reasonable, and a resolution could have been reached to address any non-discriminatory concerns; instead, you chose violence. Grace is kind; I realize she is a bit awkward, but that doesn’t mean she wanted this mistreatment.
TravelerNo major complaints. Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together.
TravelerHonestly a wonderful place, gorgeous little lake and beach, incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Note though if you’re staying in one of the new RV sites, it is nowhere near the bathrooms or bathhouse - like a 10+ minute walk, and I wouldn’t want to do it at night. The RV section is clearly still very very new, and they’re working out the kinks, so only go here if you’ve got a self-sufficient RV and don’t need bathrooms. There are all 3 hookups, though the sewer hookup was so far back our short hose did not reach. But they do sell extensions at the visitors center, and there is a dump station, though we had to call to have them unlock it. Overall a great place, but be aware if you’re looking for a place with both full RV hookups and bathrooms, this is not it!
TravelerFor the price, it’s not bad. For about $50/night, we got a nice even sandy campsite with a picnic table and fire ring. Not much privacy, though- the neighboring sites are not separated by trees or bushes or anything.
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
Camping in New Hampshire offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, there's something for everyone.
Camping in New Hampshire is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in New Hampshire for families?
New Hampshire offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds with amenities that keep children entertained. Bear Brook State Park Campground stands out as the state's largest park with family-friendly facilities including play structures, a camp store, swimming beach, and even a baseball diamond. Families will appreciate the numerous trails and ponds to explore. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages is another excellent option, offering beautiful lakeside views and a well-maintained family atmosphere. The small, family-owned operation provides a peaceful setting where kids can enjoy water activities and parents can relax with scenic vistas. Both campgrounds provide the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and necessary amenities that make camping with children manageable and fun.
Where are the most scenic camping sites in New Hampshire state parks?
New Hampshire's state parks offer breathtaking scenic camping with natural beauty at every turn. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park provides spectacular mountain views and streamside sites in one of the state's most picturesque regions. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the dramatic scenery of Franconia Notch. Jigger Johnson Campground along the scenic Kancamagus Highway offers another stunning option with sites nestled among beautiful forest surroundings. The location provides easy access to hiking trails, swimming holes, and the natural wonders of the White Mountains. Both campgrounds showcase New Hampshire's diverse landscapes, from majestic mountain panoramas to peaceful woodland settings.
What are the most accessible places to camp in NH for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors to New Hampshire will find several easily accessible campgrounds that provide a welcoming introduction to camping in the Granite State. The Pastures Campground offers an ideal starting point with spacious sites featuring tables and fire rings, clean facilities including bathrooms, showers, and even a laundry room. Its location near the Vermont border provides convenient access while still delivering authentic New Hampshire camping. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins is another excellent choice for newcomers, offering riverside camping with ample parking and proximity to popular attractions like Clark's Trading Post. The campground's straightforward setup and convenient location make it perfect for those just beginning their New Hampshire camping adventures.
Keep Exploring
