Northern New Hampshire's Groveton area sits at the gateway to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, near the junction of the Upper Ammonoosuc and Connecticut Rivers. Elevations in this region range from 880 to 3,360 feet, creating diverse camping environments from riverfront sites to elevated mountain views. Many campgrounds operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October due to the region's cold winters and wet springs.
What to do
Hiking to fire towers: Milan Hill State Park offers trails leading to a historic fire tower with panoramic views. "I come back to this area every year... Look for the bears, and other cutouts creatures in the clearings on the way in," notes a Milan Hill State Park Campground visitor.
River activities: The Androscoggin River provides fishing and paddling opportunities. "I spent three days camped by the river with my little 12 ft pack boat. Caught about a dozen small rainbows anchored at the head of the rapids," shares one Mollidgewock State Park Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The region is known for moose sightings, especially at dawn and dusk. "Mollidgewock State Park, overlooking the Androscoggin River, is embedded in the beautiful and tranquil scenery that makes up what I would call, the moose capital of NH. My visit proved incredible as I got to experience my very first moose sighting!"
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campgrounds provide access to lakes and rivers. "This campground was small and quiet with majority of sites for tents only. The river was super calm so we were able to take our paddle board out and explore the waters," writes a camper about Mollidgewock State Park.
Swimming options: From natural swimming holes to developed facilities. "Pool with water slides for kids, Kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, playground with slides and a pirate ship," notes a visitor to Mountain Lake Camping Resort in Lancaster.
Peaceful settings: The region offers quiet camping experiences away from crowds. "It's hard sometime to get away from all the people in Vermont but this park is far enough out of the way where you can avoid a majority of the summer tourist," writes a camper at Maidstone State Park.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Many campgrounds have minimal cell service. "No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building," notes a camper at Maidstone State Park.
Distance to supplies: Some campgrounds are remote. "Very remote. Nearest town about 45 minutes away. Beautiful site- Shadblow. No cell service. Loved it... pretty far away though," writes a Maidstone visitor.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences temperature fluctuations, even in summer. "The lake is clear and beautiful. The loons are amazing. The fellow who checked us in was super helpful and told us to decide if we wanted to stay another night before paying the next day."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campground amenities: Choose sites with family-friendly features. "If you're looking for a safe, family friendly, quiet campground this is it. Strict quiet hours at 1030 make it very quiet in the evening with no worry of loud parties keeping you up," notes a camper at Jefferson Campground.
Plan for rainy days: Weather can change quickly in northern New Hampshire. "What a fun place to stay. Dedra, Eric, Andy and the Family are great people. Made you feel at home. The place is well kept and maintained. We stayed the month of July and loved it."
Check bathhouse facilities: Bathroom options vary widely between campgrounds. "New shower and bathroom building was clean. Campsites were well spaced," writes a visitor to Moose Brook State Park.
Tips for RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited large RV access. "We chose a site that was a bit too small to properly unhook the trailer but staff helped me get a better location. Site 17 was too tight for 44 ft total length. Switched to site 5 pull through."
Level sites: The mountainous terrain can mean uneven camping spots. "Stay in a 45' motorhome for a couple nights. Going up to mt Washington to ride the cog rail," notes a Jefferson Campground visitor.
Yurt camping alternatives: For those seeking the RV experience without towing, yurt camping near Groveton, New Hampshire provides similar comfort. "We did the yurt for 2 nights. Man was it amazing. The north country and wandering back roads to find cool waterfalls and lakes. Everyone at the campground was super nice," writes a Milan Hill visitor.