Intervale, New Hampshire sits at approximately 540 feet elevation in the Mount Washington Valley, surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. The region's climate features warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and cool nights around 50-60°F. Camping sites near Intervale experience frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, with precipitation averaging 4-5 inches monthly between June and August.
What to do
River activities: Tube the Saco River: At Saco River Camping Area, the river provides natural recreation. "We loved this campground! We had a large site in the back corner, and stayed with our friends in a tent on just one site! The river is really great, you can take a short walk to the pavilion and put a tube in and float the river back around to the beach area. We did it 4 times!" noted one visitor.
Hiking nearby trails: From Covered Bridge Campground, access trails directly from your site. "The campground is clean and well kept. Extra bonus is the Boulder Loop Trail that is attached to the campground(it's relatively short, offers several great vista views, and you can walk there from the campground and not have to deal with parking)," explains a camper who visited in October.
Swimming in White Lake: The sandy beach at White Lake State Park offers a refreshing swim spot with mountain views. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids, and there is a separate boat launch area. If you don't have your own boats, they offer rentals of kayaks and paddle boats," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Town Hall Road Dispersed provides free camping with natural separation. "We loved this spot. There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private," explains a camper.
Access to water features: Campers consistently rate waterfront access highly. "Two beaches! This campground was really nice. Sites were large and level. Many large trees created a lot of shade... Dogs are allowed in the campground and even on one of the two beaches. We went to the dog beach, which was clean and large. The river was awesome," notes a visitor to Eastern Slope Camping Area.
Clean facilities: Dry River Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The bathroom facilities are so clean! There are great hiking trails right on the campsite. Chipmunks surround you at all times, which was pretty epic and magical!" reports one camper. Another adds: "They have outhouses, bathrooms, showers, laundry, potable water and a dishwashing station all included for the nightly rate of $25 + $6.50 reservation fee."
What you should know
Bear activity: Black bears frequent campgrounds throughout the region. At Jellystone Park Glen Ellis, "We spent 5 days and wished it was longer. The campground was clean, staff was wonderful and the amenities were great! There were 2 active bears while we were there. They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!"
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer. For Town Hall Road, sites are first-come, first-served, with a camper noting: "We went to the end of Town Hall Road and camped at the last site before you leave the WMNF. It was a very spacious site, set back from the road, a little bumpy getting into it."
Road noise variation: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. At White Ledge Campground, "The campground is directly next to Rt 16, so expect to hear some road noise, more so during the day. Whole site is very quiet at night." Similarly, Jigger Johnson campers note, "Motorcycle traffic on the Kancamangus can be loud, but it quiets down at dark."
Cell service limitations: Most sites have minimal connectivity. A Jigger Johnson visitor shared: "Closest cell service is 6-7 miles away, at the high point on Bear Notch Road." At Covered Bridge Campground: "Very spotty Verizon cell coverage and no TMobile service at all. Better coverage for both carriers near the top of the boulder loop trail."
Tips for camping with families
Water-based recreation: White Lake State Park Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "We stayed on Labor Day weekend, so it was probably louder and more crowded than usual. But even still for a completely full campground it was nice! The sites are pretty spacious and there were enough suitable trees to hang two hammocks. The views from the lake are incredible."
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programming. At Jellystone Park Glen Ellis: "Our three kids didn't have a boring time at Jellystone Glen Ellis! They loved the Waterpark and the foam party! It was Christmas in July week, and they had so many events planned for the week. Included in your stay is Mini golf, shuffle board, the Waterpark, hayrides, movie night, magicians and more."
Kid-friendly sites: Choose locations with appropriate terrain. "This is a VERY LARGE campground, it will be a trek to get to the bathrooms or showers or swimming. You do NOT get to park at the lake if you are a camper. So that will be a long walk. However, the sites were spacious and felt semi private, I had a site next to the bathroom, which was very helpful and I felt confident letting my children go to the bathroom alone," shares a White Lake visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Crawford Notch Campground accommodates various sizes. "We camped here for two nights for our first family camping adventure — two adults and two kids ages 5 and 7. The campground was very clean and well organized, and the sites were relatively private. There were some camp sites right on the river, but, if you're looking for shade or have kids, I'd suggest staying away from the sites on the river."
Campground access considerations: Road conditions affect RV access. At Covered Bridge Campground, "The road in for RVs is not terrific. There is about a 1/2 mile that is mostly one lane (with a drop off on one side) and if someone is coming decisions have to be made."
Hookup availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Dry River Campground, "Sites are spacious, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them. This can be good if you are with friends and reserve sites side by side (2 & 3; 12 & 13), Because most of the sites are on the outside of the loop or opposite sides of the road, you won't feel surrounded. There are no hookups. Site are back-in."
