Best Tent Camping near Franklin, NH

Tent campsites near Franklin, New Hampshire range from established sites with basic amenities to remote backcountry shelters. Notable locations include Cardigan Campsites, a tent-only campground approximately 10 miles west of Franklin, and the Squam Lakes Association, which maintains several tent camping areas accessible by foot or boat. Baker Rocks provides tent platforms within wooded areas that feel secluded despite being relatively accessible, while Cardigan Skyline Camps offers walk-in tent sites with more primitive conditions.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide fire rings and designated tent pads or platforms, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Campers at backcountry sites should prepare to filter water from nearby sources, as potable water is limited to more developed campgrounds. Several tent-only areas require permits or reservations, particularly during peak summer months. According to one visitor, "Sites have platforms large enough to accommodate two free standing 2-4 person tents, depending on size and style." Bear activity necessitates proper food storage at many locations, with some sites providing bear boxes while others require campers to hang food supplies from trees.

Areas farther from established campgrounds offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking primitive experiences. The Appalachian Trail corridor includes several backcountry shelters and tent sites, with Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter providing tent camping options along with a three-sided shelter. A visitor commented that despite its proximity to roads, "the campground is quiet" with "multiple rocky beaches" providing access to water. Tent platforms at many sites help minimize impact on fragile forest floor environments while providing level sleeping surfaces. Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with some higher-elevation tent sites remaining inaccessible until late spring due to snow cover. Early fall brings decreased crowds at most tent campgrounds, offering optimal conditions for campers seeking solitude.

Best Tent Sites Near Franklin, New Hampshire (36)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Franklin, NH

942 Reviews of 36 Franklin Campgrounds


  • Kathy S.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Pastures Campground The

    Riverside

    Adorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).

    Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.

    There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.

    Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.

  • J
    Sep. 4, 2022

    Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    Beautiful spot, but noisy

    My first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream. There was a microburst over the campground the night I was there but the water drained down into the stream so I was not sleeping in a puddle. My site was in the row closest to the road where there was truck noise for much of the night. I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    The White Mountains Stole My Heart!

    We had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.

  • L
    May. 30, 2019

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Amazing Views

    Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences. A outhouse is located at this tent site as well as pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter. Great place to stay on the Pemi Loop. It is a carry in carry out campsite.

  • d
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Osceola Vista Campground

    great for group camping

    i stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.

    This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.

    campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Baker Rocks

    Great location and amazing facilities

    I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area.

    Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. I booked one of the tent platforms.

    The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area.

    The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight.

    The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water.

    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.

    Check-in was super easy with the camp hosts who were very flexible with timing and wanted to make sure I had a great stay. The property and individual sites are deliberately designed with guests in mind.

    I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area and might try some of the glamping options as well.


Guide to Franklin

Tent camping near Franklin, New Hampshire offers diverse experiences along the banks of the Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers. The region includes both primitive backcountry options and more developed sites within a 30-mile radius of town. Winter camping is available at select locations, though most tent sites close seasonally from November through April due to snow accumulation.

What to do

Climbing access: Baker Rocks serves as an excellent basecamp for rock climbers visiting the nearby crags. "I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area. The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area," reports one visitor to Baker Rocks.

River activities: Tent campers can enjoy fishing and swimming opportunities along the Baker River. "Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing," notes a Baker Rocks camper. Multiple sites offer water access within a 20-minute drive of Franklin.

Mountain hiking: The Appalachian Trail corridor provides both day hiking and overnight options. "The shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner," writes a backpacker who stayed at Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter.

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many tent campers appreciate the natural separation between campsites. "The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight," notes a Baker Rocks reviewer.

Water proximity: Access to lakes and rivers ranks highly among tent campers. "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," reports a visitor to Squam Lakes Association camping areas.

Climbing community: Dedicated climbers appreciate purpose-built facilities. "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one! Maintained by the American Alpine Club, pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers," states a guest at AAC Rattlesnake Campground.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Popular tent camping locations fill quickly during peak season. "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," cautions one Squam Lakes visitor.

Water considerations: Not all sites provide potable water. "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," advises a Squam Lakes Association camper.

Permanent residents: Some campgrounds primarily serve long-term occupants rather than overnight tent campers. "We passed many campers that had been on this property permanently, several of which had porches attached or additional rooms built on the side," reports a visitor to Viewland Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Animal attractions: Some campgrounds offer additional entertainment for children. "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)," mentions a family who stayed at Baker Rocks.

Insect preparation: Parents should pack appropriate protection. "Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected," warns a family tent camper at Baker Rocks.

Alternative accommodations: For families new to tent camping, transitional options exist. "Our family of 4 visited Baker Rocks during a very rainy week and still had an amazing time. We stayed 2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt both were spacious and wonderful, among tall trees and pines."

Tips from RVers

Tent-only restrictions: Many Franklin-area campgrounds cater exclusively to tent camping. Most RVers need to look toward the more developed campgrounds along Interstate 93 or south toward Concord for hookup options.

Road access challenges: Tent campers with low-clearance vehicles should research access roads. "The road to get to Viewland Campground is very steep. The campground loop is a one-way loop that is not easily marked. The road was very narrow and we were very close to some RVs," notes one visitor.

Facility variations: Bathroom facilities vary significantly between tent camping locations. "The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water," reports a Baker Rocks camper, while backpacking shelters typically offer only basic privies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Franklin, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Franklin, NH is Cardigan Campsites with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Franklin, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Franklin, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.