The White Mountains region surrounding Etna, New Hampshire experiences dramatic seasonal changes with winter temperatures often dropping below 0°F and summer highs reaching the mid-80s. Campgrounds in this area typically sit at elevations between 500-1,500 feet, with higher sites experiencing cooler nighttime temperatures even in summer. Most camping facilities operate seasonally from Memorial Day through mid-October due to the harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Trail riding from equestrian campsites: Horse owners camping near Etna can access specialized facilities at New Discovery State Park Campground in Vermont's Groton State Forest. "There are sites with stalls if you're into horses," notes reviewer Miccal M., who drove through the park. The campground connects to extensive trail networks suitable for day rides.
Swimming in natural water bodies: Cool off during summer months at the various ponds and lakes. At Branbury State Park Campground, "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," writes Lisa S. The park also offers boat rentals for water activities.
Hiking White Mountain trails: Base yourself at Hancock Campground for access to nearby mountain trails. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites," reports Kim O., referring to the 4,000-foot peaks in the region. The campground's location makes it convenient for day hikers tackling challenging routes.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: The sound of flowing water adds a natural soundtrack to camping experiences. At Hancock Campground, "We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby," notes Tara S. Sites along the water tend to fill quickly, especially on weekends.
Remote accommodations: For those seeking more solitude, some campgrounds offer secluded options. At Groton Forest Road Campground, "The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites. The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," according to Reid B., highlighting the balance of privacy and amenities.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, some campgrounds remain open year-round. Heather B. reported about Hancock Campground: "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites. The campgrounds were well cared for and the staff was friendly."
What you should know
Bear activity: The White Mountains region has active black bear populations. At Branbury State Park, staff remind visitors that "There are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly," as mentioned by Lisa S. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes at tent sites, but proper food storage remains essential.
Insect considerations: Bees can be problematic at certain campgrounds during warm months. One camper at Hancock Campground reported: "Our site was completely swarmed with bees... They were the worst on our last day; we planned to hang out, make breakfast, enjoy the river, and take our time packing up. But they were unbearable and we had a couple stings."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is spotty throughout most of the region. At New Discovery State Park, Laura M. noted there was "Not much cell service, but some in places." Consider downloading offline maps before arriving, especially if planning backcountry activities.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Gunstock Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "It has pretty spacious sites, they have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," says Kasey H. The adventure attractions provide entertainment options beyond traditional camping activities.
Consider tent platforms: Some campgrounds offer raised platforms that improve the tent camping experience. Sara D. mentioned about Gunstock: "Platform on campsite, pool and playground available, camp store, bike & Segway trails." However, she also noted: "The platform did not fit our tent for 12 on it," so check dimensions if bringing large tents.
Find protected swimming areas: Families with children appreciate designated swimming zones with safety features. At Branbury State Park, J L. noted: "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many campgrounds in the White Mountains region have varied site sizes. At Tippicanoe Campground, David G. noted: "Tthe sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds where you are not far from the beautiful beach, trout stocked pond and all ammenities."
Look for level sites: Terrain in this region can be challenging for larger RVs. Melissa B. observed at Gunstock Campground: "Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs, but if tent camping you won't really have any privacy in those locations."
Winter RV considerations: For cold-weather camping, ensure your rig is properly winterized. Laura M. explained at New Discovery State Park: "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results... Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
