1 campground with availability this weekend
The forested hills surrounding Francestown, New Hampshire offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Lost Boys Hideout provides hike-in and walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. About 15 miles south, the Military Park at New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area offers year-round tent camping with reservable sites. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Royalston, Massachusetts (approximately 30 miles southwest) provides highly-rated tent-only camping with waterfront access and extensive trail networks.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature natural surfaces with minimal site development. Walk-in tent sites are common, particularly at Lost Boys Hideout and Tully Lake, where vehicles remain in designated parking areas. Campers should prepare for varying levels of amenities - some locations provide drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, while others offer more primitive tent camping experiences. Sites at Cardigan Campsites, located north of Francestown, include basic toilets and drinking water but lack picnic tables, showers, and trash collection. Weather conditions can affect accessibility, particularly during spring mud season and winter months when some access roads may be unplowed.
Tent-only camping experiences in this region typically offer greater privacy and natural settings than mixed-use campgrounds. At Tully Lake, one camper noted that "sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping." The walk-in nature of several campgrounds creates a quieter atmosphere without vehicle traffic. According to reviews, Tully Lake's island site provides exceptional seclusion for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts. Another visitor highlighted that "no cars at all at the campsites made for a super quiet stay." Cell service is limited throughout the region, so downloading maps before arrival is recommended for primitive tent camping locations where navigation may be challenging.
Available this weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them."
from $40 / night
from $75 - $175 / night
from $35 - $140 / night
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $29 - $40 / night
"Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."
from $25 - $30 / night
TravelerBeautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
LegendThis is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
ScoutThe recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
ScoutWe came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
ScoutWe have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
TravelerGorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
ScoutNothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
GuideLet me just preface this review by saying when I go camping, I like to be immersed in nature– ideally with a toilet and shower nearby. These are my only desires. This is not that kind of campsite. But just because it isn’t for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
Pros:
- Easy to book and accommodating staff.
- Restrooms/showers were clean(though the air fresheners are not migraine sufferer-friendly).
- Nice, tall trees.
Cons:
- My only real con is the general vibe. Again, it’s just not for me. It has lots of activities for kids (an arcade, park, pool, etc.), so if that’s what you’re looking for, great! It just wasn’t what I personally was looking for. But with limited camping options in the area, it was our only real choice.
ScoutWe brought the kids and they found plenty to do. Between the pool, river and recreation area, they were pretty much entertained the entire trip.
Tent campsites near Francestown, New Hampshire offer opportunities for primitive camping experiences with varying levels of accessibility. Located in southern New Hampshire's Monadnock Region, the area features rolling forested terrain with elevations between 700-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms requiring proper rain protection at campsites.
Hiking trails: Mount Cardigan offers challenging routes with significant elevation gain. "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!" notes a camper at Cardigan Campsites.
Water activities: Campers can paddle on Tully Lake, about 30 miles southwest. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax. It's a beautiful area right in your own back yard," reports a visitor to Tully Lake Recreation Area.
Disc golf: A course near Tully Lake Dam provides recreational options beyond camping. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," notes a camper who hiked the 4-mile loop around the lake.
Privacy between sites: Many tent campgrounds offer substantial separation between camping areas. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," shares a visitor at Tully Lake Recreation Area.
Vehicle-free camping: Walk-in sites create a different camping atmosphere. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around," notes a family camping at Tully Lake.
Minimal amenities: Lost Boys Hideout offers basic facilities that appeal to those seeking simplicity. "Simplicity at its best :)" writes one camper, while another notes "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"
Cart access: Many sites require transporting gear from parking areas. "The sites near the water or on bluffs are further away, and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea," advises a camper from Tully Lake.
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging in the region. "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive," recommends a visitor to Tully Lake.
Facility locations: Bathrooms may be distant from some campsites. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," notes a family who camped at Tully Lake during Memorial Day weekend.
Pack light: Maple Ridge Farm offers transportation assistance for families with gear. "They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," explains a camper who visited shortly after the campground opened.
Rental equipment: Several locations offer canoe and kayak rentals. "Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available," notes a Tully Lake camper, making water activities accessible without bringing your own equipment.
Common spaces: Look for campgrounds with shared amenities. "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale," reports a visitor to Maple Ridge Farm, providing indoor options during inclement weather.
Military Park options: The New Boston Recreation Area offers year-round camping with specific military connections. "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!" notes a visitor, though specific RV amenities are limited.
Tent-only considerations: Most campgrounds near Francestown primarily accommodate tent camping rather than RVs. Sunapee State Park Campground, located about 40 miles northwest, provides some of the nearest hookup options with both electric, water, and sewer connections for RVs while still offering tent sites.
Seasonal limitations: Weather conditions impact campground access, particularly during spring thaw and winter freezes. Many forest roads become impassable for larger vehicles, with most campgrounds closing completely during winter months except for New Boston Recreation Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Francestown, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Francestown, NH is Lost Boys Hideout with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Francestown, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Francestown, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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