218 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds around Hanover, New Hampshire range from developed facilities to backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail. The area features options like Storrs Pond Recreation Area, located in Hanover itself, providing tent and RV camping with electric hookups and thirty-amp service. Several sites in the surrounding region offer cabin accommodations, including Quechee State Park Campground and Quechee-Pine Valley KOA in nearby Vermont. Campers seeking more remote experiences can access multiple backcountry shelters such as Velvet Rocks, Moose Mountain, and Happy Hill, which serve Appalachian Trail hikers.
Most campgrounds in the Hanover region operate seasonally, with many closing from mid-October through May due to harsh New England winters. A camper noted, "This is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privy." Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season when tourism peaks. The terrain varies considerably from the relatively flat areas around Quechee to more challenging hiking required to reach backcountry shelters. Primitive camping at trail shelters requires proper planning for water access, as seasonal sources may run dry during summer drought conditions.
Campground facilities in the area receive mixed reviews regarding amenities. Storrs Pond Recreation Area provides tent and RV access with showers and toilets, though one visitor mentioned that "tent sites were hilly/uneven and extremely far from the toilets and bathhouse." The KOA properties feature more amenities like swimming pools, dog parks, and planned activities. Backcountry shelters typically offer basic accommodations with privies and limited tent sites. While road noise affects some campgrounds closer to highways, backcountry locations provide greater solitude. The region's proximity to attractions such as Quechee Gorge and sections of the Appalachian Trail makes it popular for both overnight stays and longer camping vacations, with access to hiking, swimming, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.
"Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."
"There is a “campers only” access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
"I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Note this is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privvy."
"I tent camped here in August while doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail. "
"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed."
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Whether it’s a hike or a drive, I highly recommend it! Just note, the road closes after dusk and a barrier goes down."
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
ScoutThe Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
TravelerNo major complaints. Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together.
ScoutPeaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
TravelerFor the price, it’s not bad. For about $50/night, we got a nice even sandy campsite with a picnic table and fire ring. Not much privacy, though- the neighboring sites are not separated by trees or bushes or anything.
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
GuideThis was such a great campground! Before we even left we were planning on returning. It’s clean, has great facilities and a camp store with anything you need or forgot without having to go to Walmart. It’s a fun place for kids, peaceful for parents, plenty to do on site and nearby.
ScoutThis dirt road joins with Trudue rd to form a loop. There are pull in/back in sites with plenty of privacy. No cell service. Only a couple or of sites offer sun so use of solar can be difficult. Starlink does not work.
Sites are roomy, private and close to streams. There is hiker traffic that adds to the charm. A lovely place to camp. There
ScoutTrashed, just a big party spot now. Definitely not the place if you want a peaceful camping trip.
Camping sites near Hanover, New Hampshire range from primitive backcountry shelters to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits at the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, with the Connecticut River flowing between the two states at approximately 400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, while spring and fall camping can see overnight temperatures drop below freezing.
Hiking to views: Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter provides access to the Appalachian Trail with a bench overlooking a clearing. A camper noted, "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." This backcountry shelter requires proper planning as there's no guaranteed water source.
Visiting Quechee Gorge: Quechee State Park Campground offers a direct trail to Vermont's deepest gorge. A camper explained, "There is a 'campers only' access trail to Quechee Gorge that we took advantage of, which then gave us access to the Dewey Pond trail." The campground is conveniently located within walking distance of local attractions.
Swimming options: Local campgrounds offer various water features for cooling off. At Jacobs Brook Campground, "There's a book that runs through the campground, providing a shady respite and swimming hole in a hot summer day." Many campers appreciate these natural water features during hot summer months.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms at certain locations. At Quechee State Park, a reviewer stated, "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping." Another camper at Rest N Nest Campground shared, "The bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home."
Spacious sites: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA reported, "The park is a large park that is terraced since it is in a pretty hilly area. There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size."
Helpful staff: Many reviewers mention positive interactions with campground staff. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "From the second we pulled into this campground we were greeted with 5 star service and friendly staff. A woman met us at my truck and checked us in and we were then guided to our site by a gentleman in a light utility vehicle who then marshaled us into our spot."
Water availability: Backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail near Hanover have unreliable water sources. At Velvet Rocks Shelter, a hiker reported, "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)." Always carry sufficient water when hiking to these remote sites.
Road noise: Some campgrounds in the area experience traffic noise. A reviewer at Quechee State Park noted, "Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant." Consider requesting sites farther from main roads if noise is a concern.
Seasonal operation: Most camping options near Hanover have limited operating seasons. Jacobs Brook Campground operates from "May 28 to October 14," while the KOA is open from late May to mid-October. Winter camping options are extremely limited in the area.
Planned activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter, the shelter design offers flexibility for families: "The shelter had a ground floor and a loft but each floor could maybe fit 4-5 people comfortably... The loft was nice since folks could decide to sleep up there while others were down below, either cooking, arriving, or departing."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds feature recreational facilities. One family at Quechee State Park mentioned, "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)"
Swimming options: Pools and natural swimming areas provide cooling options during summer months. A camper at Jacobs Brook Campground noted, "In the middle of the campground near the entrance there's a swimming pool, playground, horseshoes, and basketball."
Site configurations: RV sites vary significantly between campgrounds. At Storrs Pond Recreation Area, one camper advised, "Only complaint is the site is set up 'backwards' - the electric hookups are on door side of rv and the picnic table/main area of site is on non door side."
Hookup options: Electric service ranges from none to full hookups. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost. We paid $57/night for our full hookup site which is pretty costly especially since we did not use any of the amenities."
Navigating terrain: The hilly landscape can present challenges for larger RVs. A camper at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA observed, "Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45' RV to our site." Check with campground offices about site accessibility for your specific RV size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Hanover, NH?
For excellent camping options near Hanover, consider Storrs Pond Recreation Area, which offers drive-in sites, reservations, water access, and toilet facilities just minutes from downtown Hanover. Another great option is The Pastures Campground, an adorable campground located across the Connecticut River in New Hampshire with Vermont visible from the north side of the property. The Pastures features nice bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and spacious sites with tables and fire rings. For more adventurous campers, the Appalachian Trail runs through the area with backcountry options like Velvet Rocks Shelter just outside Hanover.
Where can I find RV camping near Dartmouth College in Hanover?
RV campers visiting Dartmouth College have several good options within driving distance. Rest N Nest Campground near East Thetford is big-rig-friendly with full hookup sites and is approximately 15 minutes from campus. Quechee State Park Campground offers RV sites about 25 minutes from Dartmouth with water access and toilet facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Littleton/Franconia Notch KOA Holiday provides beautiful landscaping, well-leveled sites, and excellent amenities, though there are limited sites with sewer hookups. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during peak season and college events.
What parking options exist for RVs and campers visiting Hanover?
Hanover has limited dedicated RV parking in the downtown area, so day visitors with RVs should look for larger public lots on the outskirts of town or at Dartmouth College's visitor lots (check for size restrictions and permits). For overnight parking, the best option is to stay at established campgrounds like Goose Hollow Camp and RV Park and commute into town. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins offers ample parking with convenient access to local attractions. When visiting during major college events, parking anywhere can be challenging, so arrive early and consider using Lebanon Municipal Airport's overflow lots with shuttle service during special events.
Keep Exploring
