268 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Dorchester, New Hampshire range from developed RV parks with full hookups and cabin rentals to remote backcountry sites, covering multiple camping styles across the White Mountains region. Campgrounds like Pine Haven in Wentworth and Baker River Campground in Rumney offer tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals along riverfront settings. Several campgrounds accommodate families seeking amenities like swimming pools and playgrounds, while other locations cater to climbers visiting nearby Rumney Rocks climbing area. Both seasonal and year-round camping options exist throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from May through mid-October.
Camping season in this part of New Hampshire typically runs from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, with limited winter access at some locations. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially for weekend stays during summer months. One camper noted, "The sites near the river are really nice, a bit of a steep slope down to the river. The river is about thigh deep and you can easily walk in it/swim at portions." Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in more remote areas. Baker River Campground and Pine Haven both sit adjacent to rivers, providing water access but occasionally experiencing seasonal flooding during spring runoff.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews in the Dorchester area, with river access being a primary attraction at several campgrounds. Visitors frequently mention enjoying the Baker River for swimming, fishing, and tubing during summer stays. "The campground is located on the Baker River with a cozy beach. Limited amenities, but both were in excellent condition," shared one reviewer about Baker River Campground. Mixed-use campgrounds balancing tent and RV sites allow for various camping styles, though some reviewers note that privacy between sites varies considerably. Many campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers and flush toilets, while others feature more primitive amenities. The region's proximity to hiking trails, climbing areas, and scenic drives makes it popular for both overnight stays and extended camping trips throughout the summer and fall seasons.
"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"
from $49 - $129 / night
Check Availability"This place was a great option for staying close to Rumney for climbing. They have a group campsite specifically for climbers, which was $10 a person when we stayed there."
"Some sites are more private than others but overall quiet, and in a beautiful spot right next to the river. It's in a great location being near the main roads but far enough away that it seems remote."
from $35 - $42 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $62 - $209 / night
Check Availability"I took off a star because when we came back to our campsite on Saturday afternoon, there was an ongoing loud motor noise of ATVs racing, as there is a race track nearby."
"Site was directly next to a babbling brook. There was a storm forecasted, and the groundskeeper told us if it got bad she could open the store for us to stay in."
from $38 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It’s especially nice if you grab a spot on the edge of the river. The river is very clean and a nice spot to hang out in the sun and splash around (not very deep most of the year)."
"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."
"The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."
"had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around"
from $60 - $325 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $59 / night
Check Availability"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."
"There is a “campers only” access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Dump station is located smartly away from most campsites, but on site. Cammy at the office was lovely and helpful."
"The beat part is the location to the river. It wraps around the campground making it a great place to go tubing. They also have 3 great fields for rent"
from $37 - $55 / night
Check Availability
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
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.
ScoutWe stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
The Dorchester area sits at approximately 800-1,000 feet elevation in New Hampshire's White Mountains region, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with cooler nights. The region's hilly terrain creates numerous small waterways that flow through many camping spots near Dorchester, New Hampshire.
Hiking access: Cardigan Campsites provides direct access to Mount Cardigan trails. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" notes Madison G.
Swimming holes: The Baker River offers natural swimming areas during summer months. "The campground was nice. The site we had was an open grassy area though we tucked the tent off to the side. On the other side of the roped banking was a beautiful view of the river. There is also a beach with great fishing!" reports Lexi R. about Baker River Campground.
River tubing: Several campgrounds offer river access for tubing adventures. "My favorite activity was putting in a couple miles up river and floating back to camp over the course of a few hours, ultimate lazy river," shares Eddy B. about Plymouth Sands Camping Area.
Private, wooded sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resort receives praise for spacious campsites. "It is absolutely GORGEOUS up here. Stunning. The sites are private and wooded, the grounds are beautiful, the natural pond is a great morning excursion. It's one of the prettiest campgrounds I've ever seen," writes Jessica W.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area," Justin P. shares about Baker Rocks.
Brook and river frontage: Water access remains a top attraction. "Nice sites on the river with a cozy beach. Limited amenities, but both were in excellent condition," notes Michael W. about his Baker River Campground experience.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "No cell service on the south side of campground," reports Dawn D. about Lost River Valley Campground. Similarly, Jessica D. notes about Moose Hillock: "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted."
Site size variations: Some campsites have space limitations. "Sites are ok - nothing that I would say was amazing. All are spacious and generally shaded and flat. You can see all your neighbors but noise level wasn't terrible," observes Lauren Q.
Weather considerations: Spring runoff can affect river levels, and seasonal changes impact facility availability. "We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids," reports Jeremiah C. about Plymouth Sands.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Family friendly campground. Short drive to see wildlife from the road," shares Matt D. about Moose Hillock Camping Resort.
River safety: Monitor water levels for safe swimming conditions. "The river is about thigh deep and you can easily walk in it/swim at portions," notes Brandon C. about Pine Haven.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer organized recreation. "Plenty to do with the kids. They love the ship wreck pool! A bit tough on the noise rules. No internet connectivity!!" reports Rick C. about Moose Hillock's amenities.
Hookup availability: Various campgrounds offer different levels of RV service. "Water+electric only. $25 per night. Good cell reception with Verizon and AT&T. Campground Wifi is workable. Dump station is located smartly away from most campsites, but on site," notes Mara S. about Branch Brook Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. "The campground is very hilly and kids are ripping around in pedal and motorized bikes and scooters which is fine but no control at all in regards to speed and helmets," warns Lauren Q.
Winter considerations: Few campgrounds remain open year-round, and winter camping requires preparation. "I feel that the owners/managers are very neglectful. They do a bad job plowing (my rig bottomed out twice on snow banks) and I fishtailed on the access road," Mara S. cautions about Branch Brook's winter conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dorchester, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dorchester, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 268 campgrounds and RV parks near Dorchester, NH and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dorchester, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dorchester, NH is Moose Hillock Camping Resort with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dorchester, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Dorchester, NH.
What parks are near Dorchester, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Dorchester, NH that allow camping, notably Union Village Dam and North Hartland Lake.
Keep Exploring
