Ellsworth sits at the eastern edge of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, offering wooded camping options in a region that receives cooler summer temperatures due to its 1,500-foot elevation. The area features several campgrounds near the Pemigewasset River, with most camping spots open from May through mid-October when daytime temperatures typically range from 65-80°F. Accessibility to hiking trails and water activities makes this region popular during summer weekends.
What to do
Hiking to mountain summits: Access multiple 4,000-foot peaks from Tripoli Road where you can set up a basecamp for exploring. "Lots of local hiking" according to Ryan M., while Ali B. notes "Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river."
River activities: Enjoy tubing, fishing, and kayaking on the Pemigewasset River at Branch Brook Campground. "The best part is the location to the river. It wraps around the campground making it a great place to go tubing," mentions Shawn D. The campground offers direct river access with "several access points and plenty of space for walking."
Rock climbing: Visit nearby Rumney for climbing opportunities. Kel K. reports, "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."
Fall foliage viewing: Plan a trip during peak autumn colors for spectacular views. Matt R. shares, "Fall camping at Branch Brook is nothing short of magical. We just happened to book a trip right at peak season for fall foliage... the colors were absolutely unreal."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots among the trees. At Lost River Valley Campground, Sarah S. appreciates that "Every site is surrounded by trees, most near a creek too." Similarly, Carol S. notes, "We have found a few of the more private sites to our liking."
Riverfront camping: Sites alongside water are highly sought after. Michele S. from Lost River Valley Campground observes, "Cute little campground with many sites right on the river. My family has stayed here twice. You can't really swim much in the river, but the kids had a blast playing in it and fishing for little trout."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned. At Campton Campground, reviewers note "The restrooms and showers were very clean" and "The bathrooms are all within walking distance."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours. As Desiree M. explains about Waterville Campground, "Sites are close together and quiet hours (10p-6a) are taken seriously. This does not just mean music goes off, you also have to whisper if you want to stay up and hang out around the campfire."
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are common in this region. Jean C. warns about Tripoli Road: "Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters."
Scout
