A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Etna, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Etna, New Hampshire span tent sites, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and backcountry shelters across Vermont and New Hampshire state lines, with several options within a 30-minute drive. The area features a mix of campground styles including Quechee State Park Campground with wooded tent sites and RV accommodations, while Quechee-Pine Valley KOA offers full hookup sites and cabin rentals. Several Appalachian Trail shelters including Velvet Rocks and Moose Mountain provide backcountry camping opportunities for hikers. Most campgrounds in the region offer tent and RV sites, while some properties like Rest N Nest Campground maintain both primitive and improved sites.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through mid-October, with most established campgrounds closing during winter months. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for holiday weekends and during peak fall foliage season. Higher elevation backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail maintain basic facilities like privies but may have unreliable seasonal water sources. One backpacker noted, "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)." Cell service can be limited at more remote sites, and campers should verify current conditions before traveling, especially in early spring when mud season affects trail conditions.
Campers consistently rate the cleanliness of facilities as a key factor in their experience. Rest N Nest Campground receives praise for its well-maintained bathrooms, with one visitor noting they were "cleaner than mine at home." Family-friendly amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds and organized activities appear frequently in positive reviews of KOA and state park properties. Backcountry campers appreciate the basic but functional shelters along the Appalachian Trail, though many mention these are best for through-hikers rather than destination camping. At Storrs Pond Recreation Area, reviewers highlight the quietness of certain sites, particularly those separated from main camping areas or during off-season periods when swimming facilities are closed. Road noise can affect some campgrounds closer to major routes, while backcountry options provide more solitude.
Best Campgrounds near Etna (223)
1. Quechee State Park Campground
"Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."
"There is a “campers only” access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail."
from $38 / night
Check Availability2. Quechee Pine Valley Campground
"While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
3. Rest N Nest Campground
4. Storrs Pond Recreation Area
"I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability5. Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"Note this is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privvy."
6. Moose Hillock Camping Resort
"Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."
"Plenty of walking for dogs with a natural pool for them to swim in and the large pool with pirate ship is perfect for little kids with the beach entry. easy location to get to with a travel trailer too"
from $49 - $129 / night
Check Availability7. Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed."
8. Jacobs Brook Campground
"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Whether it’s a hike or a drive, I highly recommend it! Just note, the road closes after dusk and a barrier goes down."
10. Good Night Moon Vintage
from $59 - $99 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 11 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 31 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 47 min from Amherst Center, MA
- 2 hrs 12 min from Glens Falls, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Etna, NH
515 Photos of 223 Etna Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Tentrr Signature Site - Ascutney View
Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Rest N Nest CampgroundJ
Quechee State Park Campground
Cardigan Skyline CampsM
Good Night Moon VintageJ
Jacobs Brook Campground
Streeter Mountain Farm
Cardigan Campsites
Pine Haven
Dome@Meadows
Recent Reviews near Etna, NH
939 Reviews of 223 Etna Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- KKaSondra S.Scout
Crown Point Camping Area
Disappointed
Very Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Isaiah D.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Kids Stayed Entertained
We brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
William P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Our Favorite Part Of Staying
The Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
Guide to Etna
Campsites near Etna, New Hampshire provide varied terrain with some locations at elevations between 700 and 1,200 feet. The region experiences typical New England seasonal patterns with campgrounds operating primarily from May through mid-October when temperatures range from 40°F at night to 80°F during peak summer days. Winter snowfall makes most established campgrounds inaccessible from November through April.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: From Velvet Rocks Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, campers can access multiple day hikes. A camper noted, "I tented along here for a night during a section hike of the AT from Lyme into Vermont." This backcountry shelter serves primarily as a through-hiker stop rather than a destination camping location.
Mountain biking: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains dedicated biking trails directly from the camping area. One visitor shared, "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain."
Swimming options: While summer temperatures regularly reach the 80s, several campgrounds provide cooling opportunities. At Moose Hillock Camping Resort, the pool is a major attraction. A reviewer stated, "The pool really is as awesome as it looks. The playground is amazing."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Quechee State Park Campground offers secluded spots away from other campers. A visitor recommended, "If you stay in the back it's quieter. They also have several lean tos that you can rent." Sites in the rear section provide better separation from road noise.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness repeatedly appears as a priority for campers in this region. A visitor to Rest N Nest Campground commented, "Owners were very welcoming and helpful. The bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home. Nostalgic feel with playground, pool, and rec hall."
Proximity to local attractions: The region offers access to covered bridges, maple syrup producers, and historic sites. A Quechee-Pine Valley KOA visitor noted, "Right down the road is the famous Quechee Gorge which is breathtaking any time of the year." Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring Vermont and New Hampshire attractions.
What you should know
Road noise impacts: Interstate proximity affects sound levels at several campgrounds. At Mount Ascutney State Park, a camper advised, "The road nearby is noisy. Because of its location, you can hear both the local highway and I91. If being in the quiet wilderness is important to you, than this campground might not work out."
Water reliability: Backcountry campers should verify water source conditions, particularly in late summer. Hikers using AT shelters often encounter unreliable water sources during dry periods.
Reservation requirements: Jacobs Brook Campground and most established sites require advance booking, particularly for summer weekends. A visitor described it as "a small family owned campground with about 50 wooded sites. The seasonal campsites are separate from the short term campers and their sites are nicely maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with young children benefit from campgrounds with dedicated play areas. A Storrs Pond Recreation Area visitor mentioned, "It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides. I was there in Sept after pool closed, otherwise you might get noise from pool area nearby."
Children's programming: Seasonal activities cater to different age groups. A Quechee State Park Campground visitor shared, "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)"
Terrain considerations: Good Night Moon Vintage provides level camping with trailer rentals. A visitor noted, "The trailer is very clean and the communal kitchen area is well appointed. Juli and Jim go out of their way to make everything awesome!" The relatively flat terrain works well for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up variations: Full-service sites exist at several campgrounds with prices reflecting amenity levels. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, a reviewer explained, "There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size. Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost."
Dump station access: RVers without sewer hookups can utilize dump stations at most established campgrounds. A Quechee State Park visitor noted, "There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in a RV."
Site placement quirks: Some campgrounds have unusual layouts requiring awareness during setup. An experienced RVer at Storrs Pond Recreation Area observed, "Only complaint is the site is set up 'backwards' - the electric hookups are on door side of rv and the picnic table/main area of site is on non door side."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Etna, NH?
What camping is available near Etna, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Etna, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 223 campgrounds and RV parks near Etna, NH and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Etna, NH?
Which is the most popular campground near Etna, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Etna, NH is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Etna, NH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Etna, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Etna, NH.
What parks are near Etna, NH?
What parks are near Etna, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Etna, NH that allow camping, notably Union Village Dam and North Hartland Lake.
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