The Appalachian Trail passes directly through Hanover, New Hampshire, creating numerous backcountry camping opportunities within hiking distance of town. Backcountry shelters along this section of the AT typically stand between 1,000-2,500 feet elevation, providing cooler overnight temperatures than the Connecticut River valley below. Most primitive tent camping spots near Hanover require proper food storage containers due to black bear activity throughout the region.
What to do
Hike to nearby viewpoints: From Trapper John Backcountry Campground, hikers can access Holt's Ledge for panoramic views. "There was no view or other point of interest here, though a bit further up the trail there were good views at Holt's Ledge," notes one Trapper John visitor.
Fish the Baker River: Baker Rocks campground provides direct river access for fishing. "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," reports a Baker Rocks camper.
Summit Mount Cardigan: Cardigan Campsites serve as an ideal base for mountain hiking. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" shares one visitor to Cardigan Campsites.
What campers like
Double-decker shelters: Happy Hill Shelter offers unusual multi-level sleeping quarters. "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," notes a Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter camper.
Level tent platforms: Many backcountry sites feature dedicated platforms for tent camping. At Winturri Backcountry Shelter, "There were lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter. The shelter was fairly standard but this stop had a great amount of tent camping around in spaces with decent privacy," according to one backpacker.
Designated cooking areas: Some shelters feature specially designed seating for meal preparation and dining. Thistle Hill Shelter includes "a one-story standard AT shelter with a fire ring and a bench for seating," making it functional for backcountry meal preparation.
What you should know
Water reliability varies: Seasonal water sources change drastically throughout the year. At Thistle Hill Backcountry Shelter, one visitor reported "water during my stay, though it was right after a smaller storm the previous evening," indicating intermittent availability.
Tent site terrain quality: Not all tent sites provide equal comfort. "I got to the shelter late in the day so my view on the tent camping might be biased, but it seemed to have smaller spots for tent camping that were somewhat sloped," notes a Thistle Hill camper.
Insect protection required: Mosquitoes can be problematic at lower elevations. One Baker Rocks visitor warns, "Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected."
Tips for camping with families
Consider partial glamping: For families new to tent camping near Hanover, Baker Rocks offers hybrid options. "Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. 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."
Plan for weather contingencies: Even during wet periods, well-designed sites can remain enjoyable. "Our family of 4 visited Baker Rocks during a very rainy week and still had an amazing time. The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river."
Check bathroom facilities: Full facilities make family camping more manageable. Baker Rocks features "a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water," making it suitable for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The best tent camping near Hanover, New Hampshire rarely accommodates larger vehicles. At AAC Rattlesnake Campground, "pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers" rather than RV campers, indicating the site's primary focus on tent camping.
Consider neighboring towns: Most established campgrounds around Hanover focus on tent camping with minimal RV infrastructure. For RV camping, travelers should investigate locations further from Hanover with designated hookups.
Book well ahead: Limited RV spaces fill quickly during summer months. The primitive camping focus around Hanover means competition for the few RV-suitable sites remains high throughout warm-weather seasons.
