A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Hales Location, NH
333 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The White Mountains region surrounding Hales Location, New Hampshire features numerous established campgrounds accommodating various camping styles. White Lake State Park Campground in Tamworth provides tent, RV, and glamping options with lakefront access, while nearby Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort in Freedom offers cabin rentals alongside traditional camping sites. Several facilities in the area, including Tamworth Camping Area and Whits End Campground, maintain family-friendly environments with amenities such as showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. Chocorua KOA and Long Island Bridge Campground expand the options with glamping accommodations for those seeking enhanced comfort.
Seasonal considerations dictate camping availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating from May through early October. White Lake State Park remains open from May 26 to October 8, while Harbor Hill Camping Area operates from May 22 to October 12. Winter conditions typically close most facilities, though Paugus Bay Campground offers year-round accessibility. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when tourism peaks. The area experiences typical New England weather patterns with potential for rapid changes, particularly in higher elevations. A visitor noted, "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."
Campers consistently highlight water access as a primary attraction in the region. Properties situated along lakes or rivers tend to receive higher ratings, with Long Island Bridge Campground earning perfect 5-star reviews. Privacy varies significantly between locations, with some offering secluded wooded sites while others provide more communal camping experiences. Proximity to hiking trails and natural attractions represents another key consideration, as many campgrounds serve as gateways to White Mountain recreation areas. One camper described their experience: "The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning." Noise levels differ between locations, with roadside campgrounds experiencing more traffic sounds than those situated deeper in forested areas.
Best Campgrounds near Hales Location (333)
1. White Lake State Park Campground
"Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."
"I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability2. Gunstock Campground
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability3. Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort
"This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake!"
"We love the golf carts and sandy beaches as well as the proximity to North Conway and Lake Ossipee. Staff are nice, quiet time is a bit over enforced."
from $40 - $85 / night
Check Availability4. Harbor Hill Camping Area
"Free DVD and book lending library, so if you aren't enjoying the great outdoors or walking on their nature trails, you can just read or watch. Easy access to the lake or hiking trails in the area. "
"Sinks are located outside and there is a bIgger sink for washing dishes. We were on an electric/water site but they also have a few primitive sites. We loved it here and will definitely be back."
from $3500 - $4500 / night
Check Availability5. Chocorua KOA
"There were some rules in place in order to ensure social distancing and reduce risk to ourselves and to the staff."
"They were wooded and in a central location close to the playgrounds, pavilion, beach and nature trails."
from $45 - $110 / night
Check Availability6. Long Island Bridge Campground
"Love this campground. great views of the lake. Nice neighbors. Lots of space for my kids to run around. And the family who runs it is very friendly."
"Campground is right on the lake, very clean, pet friendly, employees are great, overall just a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! People are awesome here!"
from $37 - $55 / night
Check Availability7. Paugus Bay Campground
"We seriously lucked out with getting two sites next to eachother over looking the lake though. Pros: -Owners were very friendly and helpful. -Lots of lake activities to do."
"Campground is primarily seasonal sites, however the nightly rentals sites are nicely located near the water."
8. Hunter’s Run RV Park
"They also have a nice game room for them kids or grown ups that struggle to leave technology behind."
from $44 - $135 / night
Check Availability9. Whits End Campground
"You can tube down the river , it’s peaceful and clean with great views and location is great ❤️ We even went horse back riding as it’s close to castle in the clouds"
10. Tamworth Camping Area
"Large sites River front Well worth the drive"
from $31 - $55 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 14 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 36 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 44 min from Portland, ME
- 2 hrs from Boston, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Hales Location, NH
822 Photos of 333 Hales Location Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Hales Location, NH
1547 Reviews of 333 Hales Location Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
- SSean D.
TravelerWellington Camping Park
Very nice campground
A mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
- KKrista R.Traveler
Moose Brook State Park Campground
Like Dispersed Camping... For $42
Pros: We have the p lube nearly to ourselves, thus it was very similar to dispersed camping. Nice little campground with two small ponds (One for fishing, the other for swimming). Nothing very remarkable, though.
Cons: As others have mentioned, if you want flush toilets and pay showers, you have to either stay at the more crowded, larger loop or walk across the highway to get to those amenities.
Richard P.ScoutSebago Lake Family Campground
Find a better place!
We just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
Guide to Hales Location
Camping options near Hales Location, New Hampshire span across multiple lakes and terrain types within the White Mountains region. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 500-1000 feet, with temperature swings of 30°F possible between day and night during peak summer months. Several campgrounds feature waterfront access to smaller lakes and ponds, creating distinct microclimates that can affect wind conditions and morning fog patterns during the camping season.
What to do
Lakeside activities at White Lake: The clear waters at White Lake State Park Campground provide excellent swimming and paddling opportunities. "The lake itself is unreal, with the mountains in the background it just feels incredibly peaceful and serene, keeping in mind I mostly visited around dawn and dusk and the Memorial Day clouds and rain kept it pretty low-key," notes Angela T. The park offers kayak and paddle boat rentals for those without their own watercraft.
Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal campgrounds, Meredith Woods Four Season Camping remains open year-round with maintained sites. "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day. Utility sink for dishes available in heated bathhouse," shares Mara S. The campground serves as a winter base for snow machine enthusiasts.
River tubing and swimming: Swift River access at Tamworth Camping Area provides natural water recreation without large crowds. "Nice little beach on the Swift River. Nicely wooded sites," reports Amy V. The river depth varies seasonally, with summer water levels typically allowing for comfortable swimming and tubing even during drier periods.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers prioritize separation between sites when staying in the region. At Whits End Campground, "the sites were spacious and felt semi private," according to Stephanie C. Wooded campsites throughout the region provide natural screening between neighbors, though availability varies significantly by campground.
Waterfront access: Sites with direct lake or river frontage receive consistent praise. "We had a site next to the bathroom, which was very helpful and I felt confident letting my children go to the bathroom alone," mentions Stephanie C. about White Lake. At Long Island Bridge Campground, Madison K. describes the experience as "postcard perfect" with direct lake access.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower cleanliness stands out in many reviews. "Bathrooms were nice and clean. We rented both a canoe and kayaks and it was such a nice experience," shares Amanda about her stay at White Lake. Most campgrounds offer coin-operated showers (typically $0.25 for 2-5 minutes) with varying water pressure and temperature consistency.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Road traffic can affect certain campgrounds and specific sites. At White Lake, Sable W. notes, "Our site was in very close proximity to all of the neighboring sites. We had children on several sides, and a rowdy group of adult men on another side." Site selection within campgrounds significantly impacts noise exposure.
Security policies: Some campgrounds enforce strict rules about quiet hours and fire safety. At Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, Jeremy P. mentions, "The campground has a rule that fires have to be out at 11:30. The security people have been extremely aggressive to us." Check specific campground rules before booking.
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular locations. Harbor Hill Camping Area maintains a 150-site capacity with limited availability for last-minute bookings. Chris H. reports, "I called last minute to get a spot and they could accommodate us that day for the 3 nights we were looking for. Can't say that would happen every time but thankfully it did."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Gunstock Campground offers structured recreation for children. "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," notes Kasey H. The campground maintains two separate playground areas designed for different age groups.
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas vary significantly in depth and supervision. Douglas L. shares that at White Lake, "The beach was clean and had lots of ducks swimming nearby. The kids enjoyed ice cream tacos from the snack shack." Many lake beaches feature gradual entry points suitable for younger swimmers.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds offer safe roads for children to ride bikes. Carolyn M. recommends White Lake, noting "Every summer, we would take the kids camping for a week at White Lake State Park and we all loved it. You can rent canoes, hike around the lake, and the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the White Mountain region require significant leveling for RVs. Michael K. warns about Chocorua KOA: "My 5" drive on leveling blocks weren't enough and I had to put them on top of a 2x8 to level the camper out." Bring additional leveling equipment when camping in this region.
Water and electric hookup locations: Hookup placement varies between campgrounds and can require extra equipment. At Paugus Bay Campground, Zachary W. notes, "Water hook up was on the opposite side of the site of where the camper needed to be, no sewer hookups. The owners were very helpful by lending us a hose to help us reach the spigot."
Generator restrictions: Most established campgrounds near Hales Location prohibit generator use or strictly limit operating hours. White Lake enforces quiet periods, with Jean C. reporting, "Our neighbor ran his generator ALL.NIGHT.LONG. the first night, but a ranger spoke with him the next day and he shut it off. He ran it during the 5-8pm time slot after that."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hales Location, NH?
What camping is available near Hales Location, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hales Location, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 333 campgrounds and RV parks near Hales Location, NH and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hales Location, NH?
Which is the most popular campground near Hales Location, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hales Location, NH is White Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hales Location, NH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hales Location, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Hales Location, NH.
What parks are near Hales Location, NH?
What parks are near Hales Location, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Hales Location, NH that allow camping, notably White Mountain National Forest and Hopkinton-Everett Lake.
Keep Exploring