Best Campgrounds near Effingham, NH

Campgrounds near Effingham, New Hampshire provide access to both lakeside and forest settings throughout the White Mountains region. White Lake State Park Campground in nearby Tamworth offers tent, RV, and glamping accommodations with lakefront views, while Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort in Freedom features cabin options alongside traditional camping areas. The region includes several KOA locations and family-oriented campgrounds with varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites to full-hookup RV pads. Most camping areas sit within 10-15 miles of Effingham proper, with concentrations around nearby lakes and along the Saco River.

Seasonal operations significantly impact camping availability in the Effingham area, with most campgrounds open from May through October. White Lake State Park operates from May 26 to October 8, while Chocorua KOA welcomes campers from May 1 to October 12. Winter camping options are limited, though Beaver Hollow Campground remains open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for waterfront sites which fill quickly. Cell service varies throughout the region, with coverage generally better near larger towns and limited in more remote camping areas. A visitor noted, "The campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake! It is in a great location between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains in New Hampshire with lots to do in and outside of the campground."

Campers report high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites, particularly those at Danforth Bay which earned a 4.6/5 rating. Mixed-use campgrounds offering both tent and RV sites provide flexibility for different camping styles, with several locations also featuring cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. The proximity to both the Lakes Region and White Mountains creates diverse recreation opportunities, from swimming and boating to hiking. Several visitors mentioned clean facilities as a highlight, though some noted road noise can be an issue at certain campgrounds. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The park was very clean and well-cared for with no trash laying around. Campsites were tidy and people didn't have lots of junk laying around." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, camp stores, and organized activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, while smaller sites offer more privacy and natural settings.

Best Camping Sites Near Effingham, New Hampshire (316)

    1. White Lake State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    West Ossipee, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 323-7350

    $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."

    2. Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Freedom, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 539-2069

    $40 - $85 / night

    "This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake!"

    "We love the golf carts and sandy beaches as well as the proximity to North Conway and Lake Ossipee.  Staff are nice, quiet time is a bit over enforced."

    3. Chocorua KOA

    8 Reviews
    Chocorua, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 323-8536

    $45 - $110 / night

    "There were some rules in place in order to ensure social distancing and reduce risk to ourselves and to the staff."

    "They were wooded and in a central location close to the playgrounds, pavilion, beach and nature trails."

    4. Eastern Slope Camping Area

    17 Reviews
    Conway, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-5092

    "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."

    5. Whits End Campground

    5 Reviews
    West Ossipee, NH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 539-6060

    "You can tube down the river , it’s peaceful and clean with great views and location is great ❤️ We even went horse back riding as it’s close to castle in the clouds"

    6. On the Saco Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Denmark, ME
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 452-2274

    $32 - $36 / night

    "It is also in a great area with amazing hiking nearby. Make sure to head not far down the road and climb up to the peak of Pleasant Mountain to get an incredible view of the entire area."

    "The river was perfect, sandy bottom, refreshing current, we anchored ourselves for a bit then pulled it up and just floated down river for awhile before walking back along the sandbars right in the river"

    7. White Ledge Campground

    10 Reviews
    Albany, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-5448

    $30 / night

    "White Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park."

    "Water spigot and vault toilets, dumpsters all within easy walking distance of all sites. Great spot to start Carter Ledge Trail to hike Three Sisters and Mount Chocorua."

    8. Beaver Hollow Campground

    3 Reviews
    Center Ossipee, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 539-4800

    $45 - $50 / night

    9. Bearcamp River Campground

    3 Reviews
    West Ossipee, NH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 539-4898

    "Located along the river, most spots are waterfront and private. pets are welcome!"

    "While u can float down the river and take out u can also go to ossippe lake and take out there as well."

    10. Covered Bridge

    13 Reviews
    Albany, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-2166

    $30 / night

    "He absolutely loved it and there was plenty of space in the tent site for him to roam around."

    "Our site was spacious and backed up to a little ravine so it was fairly private even though it was right next to the bathrooms (also convenient). We weren’t far from a hand pump water spigot, either."

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Recent Reviews near Effingham, NH

1553 Reviews of 316 Effingham Campgrounds


  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground

    Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Bradbury Mountain Campground

    Nice trail that borders campground. Saw group of cyclists and hikers use it during stay. No WiFi but T-Mobile accessible. Toilet is rustic, short wooden walls surrounding vault toilet. Various sized campsites yet not crowded. Kitchen area is a cool feature & offers campers use of community utensils & pans (although we didn't need to use). Kitchen has hot water to wash dishes and microwave to warm food. Town of Freeport is popular and LL Bean has huge shopping campus.

  • Utshob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bear Brook State Park Campground

    Convenient and fun

    The park was easy to get to, only about half an hour from Manchester. It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private.

    Our campsite also had a fire pit and a picnic table which were great.

    The size of the sites varies quite a bit though as well as their isolation, some were out in the open.

    For cell service: ATT seems to have pretty decent coverage but not Verizon.

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Chill spots with nearby creek and river

    Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road.

  • Julie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Wassamki Springs Campground

    Great Family campground!

    The amenities here make it a wonderful place for kids and adults!!   Nice,  clean and quiet!    I stayed on a spot by the water, that was totally worth the upgrade.

  • Kaileigh K.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Sandy Pines Campground

    Amazing location and campground amenities

    We had an amazing long weekend at Sandy Pines and will definitely plan to return. I loved that there was a tent only area that felt a little more secluded and quiet with some nice privacy between sites. The playground and pool were a hit with the kids. The bathrooms were always clean and single user, some had showers as well. The proximity to goose rocks beach was a major plus!

  • Dale S.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Nauman Tentsite

    Perfect Camping Adventure in White Mountains

    This campsite sounds like a perfect spot for nature lovers who enjoy rugged terrain and peaceful surroundings. The mix of wooden platforms, nearby water sources, and bear protection measures shows how well-prepared it is for group camping. Exploring trails like the Appalachian or enjoying the views from Mount Washington would make the trip even more memorable— almost like the adventure and excitement you find in an android game.

  • Amanda B.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Fabulous Front Backcountry Camping

    8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart. It's wonderfully relaxing and quiet. The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on.


Guide to Effingham

Camping near Effingham, New Hampshire, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, provide easy access to water for kayaking. One camper mentioned, "Lots of great spots on the water, easy to put a kayak in from."
  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. A visitor at Franconia Notch Campground noted, "The campground is close to tons of activities near White Mountains National Forest."
  • Fishing: Campers at Moose Brook State Park Campground have enjoyed fishing, with one stating, "Pulled an 8” brook trout out of a 10’ wide stream onsite."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Bear Brook State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms were clean and there is a nice wash station to do dishes."
  • Natural Beauty: Many campgrounds are surrounded by stunning landscapes. One visitor at White Lake State Park Campground remarked, "The lake water is crystal clear (and warmer than expected)."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground offer playgrounds and organized activities, making it a hit with families. A camper shared, "Such a great place for families."

What you should know:

  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Crawford Notch Campground mentioned, "The sites are packed together, close to the highway so you can see cars from the campground."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Hancock Campground noted, "There was no running water at any of the pumps and the pit toilets were quite full."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many popular spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Dry River Campground advised, "Reservation recommended."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly options like Moose Brook State Park Campground, which has a swimming hole and clean bathrooms. One family said, "The staff was friendly and mountain biking trails were good and easy to get to."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring gear for fishing, hiking, and swimming. A camper at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground mentioned, "Great location with lake views, trails etc."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Crawford Notch Campground noted, "There were several sites around us with drunk 20's kids and shouting/partying/music."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lost River Valley Campground said, "The sites are large, wooded, and private."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds, like Bear Brook State Park Campground, do not offer electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "No electric hookup and no dump station park, but it's still worth your time."
  • Use a Spotter for Tight Spaces: If you're navigating tight spots, having someone help can make it easier. A visitor at Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground advised, "Take it slow, have a spotter and you should be just fine."

Camping near Effingham, New Hampshire, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Effingham, Illinois?

The Effingham area offers several quality camping options. White Lake State Park Campground provides beautiful wooded sites with access to swimming and hiking trails. For families seeking more amenities, Chocorua KOA offers full-service camping with activities for all ages. Both locations provide easy access to Effingham's attractions while offering distinctly different camping experiences—one focused on natural surroundings and the other on convenience and family facilities.

Do I need reservations for camping in Effingham?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping in Effingham, especially during peak season (May through October). On the Saco Family Campground requires reservations to secure a spot, particularly for weekend stays. Beaver Hollow Campground also operates on a reservation system for their drive-in sites. While some campgrounds may offer first-come, first-served options during off-peak times, securing your spot in advance ensures you won't be disappointed upon arrival, as popular campgrounds in the area often fill up quickly during summer weekends and holidays.

What amenities are available at Effingham campgrounds?

Effingham campgrounds offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Eastern Slope Camping Area provides water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with drive-in access. For a more rustic experience, Bearcamp River Campground offers boat-in and drive-in access with toilet facilities. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Some locations offer additional amenities like camp stores, playgrounds, and shower facilities depending on whether they're privately operated or public facilities.