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TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Tent Camping near Gilmanton, NH
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The forested landscapes surrounding Gilmanton, New Hampshire offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Squam Lakes Association maintains tent-only sites accessible by boat or hiking trails, operating from May through November. These primitive tent campsites provide a more secluded experience compared to established campgrounds. Browns Ridge Family Farm, located northeast of Gilmanton, offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities. Cardigan Campsites, about 30 miles northwest, provides tent-only camping near Mount Cardigan with access to hiking trails and mountain views.
Most tent campgrounds in the Gilmanton region require campers to bring their own water or have filtration systems. Sites typically feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal grading. Fire rings are common at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply, particularly during dry summer months. Composting toilets or vault toilets are available at some locations, but facilities are limited at more primitive sites. Bear activity is present throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential. Walk-in tent sites often require carrying gear short distances from parking areas, ranging from 100 yards to a quarter mile depending on the campground.
Tent campers frequently report greater solitude at backcountry sites compared to developed campgrounds. According to reviews, Squam Lakes Association sites fill quickly when reservations open February 15, but offer "quiet and serene" experiences with "beautiful trails and excellent kayaking." One visitor to Fourth Iron Campground noted that despite proximity to the road, the walk-in tent sites remain quiet, with "multiple rocky beaches" providing river access. Weekday camping typically offers more privacy than weekends at most primitive tent camping areas. Sites with water access are particularly popular during summer months, while higher elevation tent campsites provide cooler temperatures and fewer insects during hot periods.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Gilmanton (30)
1. Viewland Campground
2. Squam Lakes Association
"The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $110 / night
3. Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground
"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
4. Lost Boys Hideout
Check AvailabilityAvailable next weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
5. Cardigan Campsites
6. Crown Point Campground
7. Baker Rocks
"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."
"The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $325 / night
8. Huttopia Southern Maine
Check Availabilityfrom $248 - $374 / night
9. AAC Rattlesnake Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $33 / night
10. Sawyer Pond
"You can reach the backcountry campsites via a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302, or in 4.5 miles from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off 112(the Kancamangus Highway)."
"Sawyer Pond was my introduction to backpacking more than 40 years ago."
Drive Time
- 37 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 24 min from Boston, MA
- 1 hr 48 min from Portland, ME
- 1 hr 56 min from Lewiston, ME
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Gilmanton, NH
41 Photos of 30 Gilmanton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Gilmanton, NH
1078 Reviews of 30 Gilmanton Campgrounds
Rebecca W.
ScoutBearcamp River Campground
Bearcamp River Campground
Bear camp River campground is a great place to camp for a weekend or be a seasonal. You can walk 6/10 of a mile to the covered bridge nearby and float right down to the beach at the campground or you can start on one side of the campground and float to the other via river for a good 30 minute float!! You get to Camp right on the Riverside. Owners (Mike and Tabby ) are great. Good place for the kids to run around and explore. The Camp store has sweatshirts and sweatpants , candy and snacks ,s’mores kits, and much much more. They also sell wood and ice on site. There is also hot showers for free, and bathrooms. Two thumbs up from this happy camper.
Nancy W.
LegendSea-Vu West Premier RV Resort
Pleasantly surprised.
This campground is mostly seasonal, privately owned park models, but has 45 spaces for RV’s. I was a little skeptical about staying at this campground with so many park models and seasonals but was pleasantly surprised at how nice, clean, and tidy all the sites were. They obviously take pride in how things look because the grounds and campsites were very well-kept.
All campsites are 50/30-amp full hook-up with level gravel pads with grassy patios, a picnic table, and fire pit. We stayed in site#702 which was long enough for our 45’ motorhome and tow car. All the utilities were easy to reach and the electric worked well. The only problem was that we were parked under a large oak tree that was profusely shedding large acorns. There are some sites that are in the open which I would definitely choose, if I came back in the fall. The campground is gated which is a nice feature. It is located a mile or so off Route 1 which means you don’t get the road noise and traffic, but still conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
One nice feature are the shaded walking trails in the park. While they are not super long, it is a nice change from walking the roads (which are paved). Other amenities include a decent size swimming pool (closed while we were there), a basketball court, playground, laundry, and camp store. I thought it was a little expensive at $75/night (for full hook-up) at the end of the season, especially since the pool was closed.
- Nancy W.Legend
Sun Outdoors Wells Beach
Tight sites and expensive, busy area along the Maine coast
We stopped here in the summer to check out the coastal towns in southern Maine. There are many campgrounds in the area and we chose this one because they had a 25% off coupon (on a 7-night stay) which gave us the best nightly price in the area. However, the nightly rate was still$74/night, one reason being they charge a “resort fee” of$15/day which is ridiculous. This is a typical resort-style campground with lots of amenities (most of which we never use). But, for some people, this is a destination campground because of all the amenities- a large heated swimming pool, basketball courts, sand volleyball, bocce, fitness center, two playgrounds, 18-hole minigolf (that you pay extra for), and more.
The campsites in the front of the park are sandwiched between the swimming pool and Route 1 which is very busy and noisy. Campsites in the far back portion of the campground are shaded and a much quieter section. Camping pads and patios are a mix of gravel and sand. Many sites have shade and some have an astroturf patio (I think those are “premium” sites). Our campsite was in the middle section which was fairly quiet but the sites are close together with no privacy. The site was a long and level pull thru with a gravel pad and gravel/sand patio. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit.
There is a tent-only section and they have renal cabins. There is lots to do for families in the area including the beach and amusement and water parks. Restaurants of all sorts are nearby. You can easily walk to Congdon’s Donuts which is a Maine classic.
- Nancy W.Legend
Seacoast Camping and RV Resort
Nice Campground, Love the area!
This 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.
Devon B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Play Games
The 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😂
Riley B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spend A Few Days
We 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.
- RRachel J.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
A Longer Stay
We have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
Myles T.TravelerSpacious Skies French Pond
Gorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
Guide to Gilmanton
Tent camping near Gilmanton, New Hampshire typically sees summer temperatures ranging from 55°F at night to 80°F during day, with higher humidity levels than western New Hampshire. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, contributing to the lush forest ecosystems that surround many of the primitive campsites. Most tent sites in the area sit at elevations between 500-800 feet above sea level, with several higher-elevation options on surrounding peaks.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: The area surrounding Baker Rocks provides access to the Baker River for fishing and wading. A camper reported that while they "only caught a few minnows when fishing," the property features "a little beach along the Baker river" and "along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery."
Mountain climbing: Mount Cardigan provides challenging day hiking with summit views from Cardigan Campsites. One visitor mentioned the climb as "challenging but shouldn't take too long" with "great fire tower views at the top." Sites at Cardigan provide convenient base camps for hikers wanting early summit starts.
Rock climbing: For experienced climbers, Rumney's climbing areas are accessible from nearby campgrounds. A visitor to AAC Rattlesnake Campground noted that "pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers," adding that the campground was "finally" established after climbers had used the area for over a decade without dedicated camping facilities.
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Tent campers frequently praise the secluded nature of Lost Boys Hideout where recent improvements include "new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site" and upgrades to the "firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" This indicates ongoing investments in improving the camping experience.
Water access opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature river or pond access within walking distance of tent sites. At Baker Rocks, a family reported having "an amazing time" despite "a very rainy week" noting that "the campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river."
Amenity variations: Tent sites range from primitive to those with surprising amenities. One camper at Baker Rocks described finding "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."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most tent camping areas operate from May through October, with limited winter access. Seasonal variations affect site availability and conditions, with many campgrounds closing after Columbus Day. At Huttopia Southern Maine, which operates "Mother's Day to Columbus Day," campers note that grounds are "manicured and aimed to be family friendly."
Reservation timing: Many popular tent sites fill quickly during prime season. For example, at AAC Rattlesnake Campground, climbers often book weeks in advance for summer weekends. Some campgrounds offer limited walk-up availability, but advance planning is strongly recommended for weekend stays between June and September.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be challenging in wooded camping areas, especially in early summer. One camper at Baker Rocks specifically advised to "bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected." Black flies are typically most active in May and early June, while mosquitoes persist throughout the summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly animal interactions. At Baker Rocks, campers can "visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)," adding entertainment for younger campers while maintaining peaceful camping areas.
Water recreation options: Multiple swimming areas provide family entertainment during hot summer days. Sites with water access typically remain 10-15 degrees cooler than inland locations. Family-friendly beaches along the Baker River offer shallow wading areas suitable for supervised children.
Activity planning: Families report better experiences when bringing games and equipment appropriate for various weather conditions. The region experiences afternoon thunderstorms approximately 3-4 days per week during July and August, necessitating flexible scheduling for outdoor activities.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility limitations: Many tent camping areas near Gilmanton have restricted RV access due to narrow roads and limited parking. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, one RVer noted that while "campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," other areas have more challenging access.
Amenity differences: RV campers looking for full hookups have fewer options than tent campers in the immediate Gilmanton area. Those requiring electrical connections, water hookups, and dump stations typically drive 20-30 minutes to established RV parks rather than using the more primitive tent-focused sites closer to town.
Family attractions: RV campers with children particularly appreciate campgrounds with built-in entertainment. One visitor to Salmon Falls reported it as "Kids Paradise" with "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!" highlighting that dedicated family RV resorts offer significantly different experiences than primitive tent camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Gilmanton, NH?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gilmanton, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gilmanton, NH is Viewland Campground with a 1-star rating from 1 review.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Gilmanton, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Gilmanton, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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