Best Tent Camping near Hanover, NH
The Appalachian Trail corridor offers numerous primitive tent camping options near Hanover, New Hampshire, with several backcountry shelters and designated tent sites available for hikers. Velvet Rocks Shelter, located directly on the AT, provides basic tent camping within hiking distance of Hanover. Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter and Trapper John Backcountry Campground offer additional tent camping opportunities along the trail, with both sites featuring standard three-sided shelters and designated tent areas.
Most tent sites along the AT require hikers to carry in all supplies and carry out all waste. Water sources at these backcountry locations are often seasonal and unreliable, particularly during drought conditions in late summer. Campers should bring water filtration systems, as most sites have inconsistent water availability. Privies are typically available but vary in condition and maintenance. Bear boxes are present at some locations but not all, so proper food storage is essential. Sites generally feature fire rings, though fire bans may be in effect during dry periods.
In early fall, many tent sites offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds than summer months. The tent camping areas provide varying levels of privacy, with some offering secluded spots set back from the main shelter. Most locations have flat, designated tent areas surrounding the shelters, though some sites may have slightly sloped terrain. One camper noted that Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter "had a host of large, flat tent sites around the shelter" and featured "a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view." Tent platforms are available at some locations, requiring free-standing tents. These primitive tent sites serve as convenient stopping points for section hikers on the Appalachian Trail, though most wouldn't be considered destination campsites for weekend trips.
