Tent camping near Epsom, New Hampshire offers secluded woodland sites and riverside settings within a 30-mile radius. Campsites range from primitive walk-in locations to family-friendly facilities with amenities like shower houses and water access. The region features several water recreation opportunities along the Baker River and Squam Lake, with sites typically open from May through October, though some remain available year-round.
What to do
Riverside exploration: Baker Rocks campground provides direct access to the Baker River with a small beach area for wading and fishing. According to a visitor: "Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery."
Mountain hiking: Cardigan Campsites serves as an excellent base for climbing Mount Cardigan. One camper notes: "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! Or after! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!"
Military history tour: The New Boston Recreation Area offers camping on Air Force Station grounds with unique outdoor experiences. A camper describes it as a "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"
What campers like
Private woodland settings: Baker Rocks receives praise for its secluded sites: "The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at several locations. One Baker Rocks visitor noted: "The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water."
Lake access camping: Squam Lakes Association maintains boat-in and hike-in campsites that provide exclusive lake access. A visitor shared: "We really enjoyed our stay here - we prefer tent camping and like to be secluded; we are not into RV parks. This was fantastic. Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly when booking opens. For Squam Lakes, "The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area via the Squam Lakes Association."
Pack your water: Many primitive sites lack potable water sources. For Squam Lakes camping: "There is a composting toilet in each camping area, but no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter."
Property conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds may not match their online presence. One Viewland Campground visitor cautioned: "As I returned to the website to double check our location, we realized the pictures had been posted in 2014. It felt like an established community of people that reside on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, but not a place we wanted to camp."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Families with children have multiple swimming options near Epsom. A visitor to Huttopia Southern Maine noted: "Went last August shortly after they gained ownership, grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly. Returning again next month!"
Campground amenities for children: Several sites offer dedicated facilities for younger campers. A visitor to Salmon Falls River RV Resort shared: "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"
Organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured entertainment. A Salmon Falls visitor mentioned: "Have great activities daily for the kids a nice store onsite. If I have one issue it would be that it went to a KOA which isn't bad but the transition year seemed a bit wanky and hopefully this year will be better as my kids love it there."
Tips from RVers
Site accommodations: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. A Salmon Falls visitor noted: "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs."
Seasonal availability: Most RV campgrounds in the Epsom area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with Salmon Falls specifically open "May 15 - Oct 15."
Hookup variations: Check available connections when booking. While many sites advertise electric hookups, specific amperage may vary, and not all sites offer water or sewer connections at each individual campsite.
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