Best Tent Camping near Effingham, NH

White Mountain National Forest provides numerous tent camping options within 30 miles of Effingham, New Hampshire. Paugus Brook Farm offers five tent-only sites with level ground in an open field setting, located near Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake. Fourth Iron Campground, situated along the Saco River, features eight walk-in tent sites accessible via a short quarter-mile trail from the parking area. Sawyer Pond, a backcountry destination with six tent platforms, can be reached by a 1.5-mile hike from NH Highway 302 or a longer 4.5-mile trek from the Kancamagus Highway trailhead.

Most primitive tent campsites in the region require proper waste disposal and food storage due to wildlife activity. Bear boxes are provided at many backcountry sites, including Fourth Iron and several Appalachian Trail campsites. Tent platforms are common at higher elevations, requiring freestanding tents. Campers should bring water treatment supplies as most sites lack potable water. According to visitor reports, seasonal access varies significantly, with some forest roads closed during mud season in spring. Fire regulations differ between sites, with Paugus Brook Farm prohibiting fires due to local restrictions, while Sawyer Pond and Fourth Iron provide established fire rings.

Tent-only camping experiences vary widely across the region's terrain. One camper at Paugus Brook Farm noted the "brand new and super clean" outhouse facilities and the site's convenient location for fishing the Saco River. At Fourth Iron Campground, visitors reported that "despite its proximity to the road, the campground is quiet" with "multiple rocky beaches" providing river access. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude, especially at popular backcountry tent sites like Sawyer Pond, where campers advised arriving early on weekends as sites fill quickly. Fall brings spectacular foliage views at many sites, with Sunday nights generally offering more availability than Saturdays at backcountry tent campgrounds throughout the White Mountains.

Best Tent Sites Near Effingham, New Hampshire (42)

    1. Paugus Brook Farm

    1 Review
    Wonalancet, NH
    18 miles
    +1 (603) 852-2318

    $25 - $45 / night

    "I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River."

    2. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach

    22 Reviews
    Saco, ME
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 282-0502

    "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. "

    "We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."

    3. Swans Falls Campground

    2 Reviews
    Fryeburg, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 935-3395

    "Sites are wooded but not a ton of space/trees in between them. Some sites are right on top of the Fryeberg fairgrounds, was glad we didn’t have those."

    "It's in a nice, open pine forest and there is a beautiful walking trail by the Saco River. I biked in so no idea about other utilities."

    4. Camp Penacook Shelter

    1 Review
    Albany, NH
    19 miles
    Website

    "As you head up the Piper Trail, as you're nearing the 3 mile mark, it starts to get steep and mostly stone steps. Luckily, right as you begin to tire, the branch for the Spur Trail appears!"

    5. Adventurers Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Center Ossipee, NH
    6 miles
    +1 (603) 539-6704

    6. Saco Bound

    1 Review
    Fryeburg, ME
    19 miles
    Website

    $25 - $50 / night

    7. Browns Ridge Family Farm

    Be the first to review!
    Brookfield, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 941-4000

    $40 - $115 / night

    8. Sawyer Pond

    7 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    28 miles
    Website

    "You can reach the backcountry campsites via a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302, or in 4.5 miles from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off 112(the Kancamangus Highway)."

    "Sawyer Pond was my introduction to backpacking more than 40 years ago."

    9. Fourth Iron Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    29 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "This year-round campground is a short walk from the road and situated along the river, providing nice swimming/wading when the weather is right."

    "The campsites, of which there are 8 of, are a short¼ mile walk from the parking area."

    10. Northern Nursery Brookside Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    26 miles
    Website

    "There are 15 tent sites along the water, and a quick walk from the parking area."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Effingham, NH

1406 Reviews of 42 Effingham Campgrounds


  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2020

    White Birches Camping Park

    A little something for everyone

    This Camping Park has something for just about everyone. Whether you have an RV (small, medium or large), tent, are looking for a cabin or want a little more of a wilderness feel, this place has something to offer. 

    While the campground looks to be primarily RV camping from the road, there are many tent sites tucked away in the trees and even two sites that are walk-in only and are situated right on the Androscoggin River. Additionally, the campground has several nice cabins available as well.

    Let's start with the RV sites: there are a bunch! This campground also hosts many seasonal campers who have sites situated around the perimeter of both sides of the campground (split by Route 2). Seasonal campers have some pretty sweet set-ups for sure. The only downside to some of the RV spots is that they can be in the sun almost all day which can be a bit much in the heart of the summer. Otherwise, sites are well maintained and have all the normal hookups for RVs.

    Tent sites are well spaced and almost all of them are in the shade which is a huge bonus! Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and nice level spot to pitch your tent. Bath houses are conveniently located throughout the campground and are well maintained. 

    The two walk-in tent sites are very secluded and offer fire rings, picnic tables, a bear box and one of the two sites has a wooden tent platform. The second site's tent platform is currently being built (July 2020) and should be at the site and ready for use soon. These sites sit right on the beautiful Androscoggin River, offering a serene backdrop for your camping adventure.

    The campground is situated in-between two large tracts of the White Mountain National Forest. Great hiking is available at the campground as well as a short drive away. If hiking is a hobby of yours, look no further! This is a great location to base yourself out of to get some solid miles under your belt. There is a campground office that has a small store as well as laundry facilities. They also offer an AT Hiker Hostel. They also have a nice heated swimming pool, playground and many other amenities. When there isn't a global health pandemic, they have a bouncy house for the kids. They often show movies on the lawn when the weather cooperates. They also rent kayaks and you can launch from the campground or they will shuttle you some place near by.

    It really is a campground with a little bit of everything! Owned by locals of the community who have run the place for over 25 years.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).

    Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.

    There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.

    Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.

  • J
    Sep. 4, 2022

    Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    Beautiful spot, but noisy

    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. There was a microburst over the campground the night I was there but the water drained down into the stream so I was not sleeping in a puddle. My site was in the row closest to the road where there was truck noise for much of the night. I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2017

    Dolly Copp Campground

    Just on the edge of town

    This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel. While this is a relatively large campground, a significant portion of it is under construction currently (Summer 2017).

    There are several loops of sites here but each site is spacious and wooded, with lot's of shade. There are flush toilets (no showers) and water spigots throughout the campground. Some sites do experience a bit of foot traffic if they are on the way to one of the restrooms.

    There is a small welcome/registration building where you stop to register on your way in. Be careful driving through the campground, the roads are in rough shape due to the construction.

    Sites have very clean fire pits, picnic tables and plenty of space for pitching a tent or two. There are several sites here that cater more to RVs but many of the sites are very tent friendly (soft, non-gravel real estate). Sites are $22/night and $5 for each additional vehicle.

    This is a popular spot with lot's of amazing hiking in the vicinity so reserve early!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2024

    Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    Nice place

    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. Some walk in sites with platforms are further from the road

    Vid is from the river off the trail that starts in the campground

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2020

    Hastings Campground

    Wonderful Fall Location

    This quiet spot is perfect for late season camping in the fall in New England. It is relatively small but there is a host on site who was incredibly friendly and attentive. Situated just off the Wild River and off of major roads, Hastings was incredibly peaceful while we were there. The sites are nicely spaced out and most have small wooded sections in between them for privacy. Additionally, sites are meticulously kept as are the two pit toilets available. 

    There is a water spogit a short walk from most campsites. Each site has a fire ring with grate, clear flat spots for pitching a tent or backing in an RV. Since I'm not an RV camper, I didn't pay much attention to those ameneties. Sites have a nice picnic table as well. There is plenty of space at each site to pitch a tent or two as well as a canapoy of some sort if you want. 

    While this place can get busy in the summer season, it's perfect for those in between seasons and super close to some great hiking in the White Mountains!

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    The White Mountains Stole My Heart!

    We had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.


Guide to Effingham

Tent camping near Effingham, New Hampshire, offers a variety of scenic spots and outdoor activities, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Tips for tent camping near Effingham

  • For a spacious camping experience, consider staying at Swans Falls Campground, where large sites provide ample room for multiple tents and easy access to the river.
  • If you're looking for a cozy spot after a hike, the Camp Penacook Shelter offers a three-sided shelter that accommodates tents and provides a fire pit for cooking.
  • Be prepared for a first-come, first-serve situation at Camp Penacook Shelter, as it can fill up quickly, especially during peak hiking seasons.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy kayaking or canoeing at Swans Falls Campground, where you can launch right from the campground and float down the river.
  • Explore the beautiful trails near Camp Penacook Shelter, which lead to stunning views of Mt. Chocorua and the surrounding wilderness.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity of Paugus Brook Farm to the Saco River, making it an ideal base for a fishing trip.

Tent campers should check out Paugus Brook Farm

  • This well-reviewed spot features a spacious field for tent camping, just a short walk from the parking area, making it convenient for families and groups.
  • At Paugus Brook Farm, you can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors while being close to attractions like Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake.
  • The clean and modern outhouse facilities at Paugus Brook Farm ensure a comfortable camping experience, even in the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Effingham, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Effingham, NH is Paugus Brook Farm with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Effingham, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Effingham, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.