Tent campsites near Eaton Center, New Hampshire offer primitive accommodations between 1,000-2,500 feet elevation in the White Mountain National Forest. Overnight temperatures can drop below 50°F even in summer months, requiring proper sleeping gear year-round. Most sites experience high weekend demand between June and September with more availability midweek or during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Sunrise hikes from backcountry sites: At Guyot Shelter, campers access multiple summit trails for dawn views. A reviewer noted, "We got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset," while another recommended "a sunrise peak if you have the energy to get up early!"
Swimming in cold mountain waters: The clear waters at Fourth Iron Campground provide refreshing summer swimming. "The water is clear and cold, refreshing on a warm day," mentions one camper. Sites are arranged with "multiple rocky beaches in between the sites and river."
Winter snowshoe trails: Several backcountry sites remain accessible year-round with proper equipment. At Sawyer Pond, a reviewer shared, "It's a nice snowshoe hike in winter. I've ice-fished on the pond." Expect challenging conditions as "deep snow made hike in a little more difficult, post holing every 5th step."
What campers like
Secluded shelter sites: Ethan Pond Shelter offers both platforms and shelter space with pond views. A camper described it as a "Beautiful sunset over the pond," though cautioned "Pond can be pretty buggy with black flies, particularly in June." The shelter accommodates "maybe 12... maybe more if it had to."
Riverside tent platforms: Many campers praise the riverside locations throughout the region. "The campground is quiet" despite proximity to roads at Fourth Iron Campground, with sites "situated just off the Sacco River and river access is easy." Similarly, at Swans Falls Campground, sites are "wooded but not a ton of space/trees in between them" with a "small beach/canoe put in at river."
Bear protection systems: Multiple backcountry sites feature food storage systems. Fourth Iron Campground has "sturdy bear boxes" while at Guyot Shelter campers access "X3 bear boxes" in a communal eating area. This reduces wildlife encounters in an area with active bear populations.
What you should know
Limited facilities and water sources: Most sites require water treatment. Northern Nursery Brookside Campsites offers "no running water, only a porta potty" but works well "for a place to stay the night while exploring the white mountains." At Fourth Iron, "There is no potable water available here, so be prepared to treat or carry in enough water for your stay."
Firewood availability varies: Some sites prohibit fires while others require foraging. At Ethan Pond, "fires are NOT allowed (despite the remaining contradictory evidence)." Where permitted, finding wood can be challenging as noted about Sawyer Pond: "You do have to forage for firewood, which can be rough."
Trail difficulty to remote sites: Prepare for hiking distances to backcountry sites. At Camp Penacook Shelter, "as you head up the Piper Trail, as you're nearing the 3 mile mark, it starts to get steep and mostly stone steps." Guyot Shelter involves "Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Choose shorter approach trails: Sawyer Pond offers family-friendly backpacking with "a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302." A camper noted it's "a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids! The site has one shelter and 6 campsites available on the bank of Sawyer Pond."
Arrive early for popular sites: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Due to the site's popularity, plan accordingly. Have a back-up plan for an alternate camping location," advises one Sawyer Pond visitor who "witnessed several parties, many with young children, arriving late to find that all the sites were occupied."
Consider field camping for easier access: For families seeking simpler setups, Paugus Brook Farm provides "a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area." This setup allows for easier gear transportation while still offering "a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake)."
Tips from RVers
Prepare for tent-only backcountry options: The White Mountains region primarily offers tent camping rather than RV sites. At Nauman Tentsite, access requires "a beautiful camping area with several tent platforms... a 3 mile hike for an adult." The site is designed for "hikers only" with platforms "tucked in the trees."
Consider nearby full-service alternatives: While primitive sites dominate the immediate area, RVers can find accommodations at nearby established campgrounds outside the National Forest. Camp Penacook offers access to "a pit toilet with a social trail down to the toilet which is kind of tough to spot, so make sure you find it in the daylight!"
Use dispersed sites as day destinations: RVers staying at developed campgrounds can hike into dispersed sites for day activities. The Fourth Iron Campground parking area is "a decent size and popular for day users wanting to get a little taste of the Sacco River" without needing to camp overnight.
