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Best Campgrounds near Jefferson, NH

1,188 Reviews

Jefferson, New Hampshire serves as a central base for accessing several established campgrounds in the White Mountains region. The area includes a range of accommodation options from full-hookup RV sites to tent camping and cabin rentals. Jefferson Campground offers 84 sites with electric, water, and sewer hookups, while nearby Lantern Resort Motel & Campground provides family-friendly camping within walking distance of Santa's Village. Mountain Lake Camping Resort and Rogers Campground round out the major developed camping facilities in the immediate area, all rated 4 stars or higher by campers on The Dyrt.

Most campgrounds in the Jefferson area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with the prime camping season running from June through September. Road access is generally good throughout the region, with most campgrounds situated near major routes like US-2 and NH-115. "The location is wonderful, especially if you have kids," notes one visitor about Lantern Resort. "It's near many hiking trails and walking distance to Santa's Village." Facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with some offering extensive amenities like swimming pools, laundry facilities, and camp stores, while others provide more basic services. Campers should verify specific amenities when booking, as several reviews mention facility maintenance issues at some locations.

The White Mountains setting provides a scenic backdrop for camping experiences, with many sites offering views of the Presidential Range. Several visitors highlight the family-friendly atmosphere at Jefferson area campgrounds. One camper noted, "We had a great time in and around the park. Staff was friendly and the park was clean. Lots of activities for the family." Proximity to attractions is frequently mentioned as a benefit, with Santa's Village, hiking trails, and Mount Washington all within reasonable driving distance. Full-service RV sites are abundant in the area, though tent campers will find dedicated areas at most campgrounds as well. Winter camping is generally not available, as most facilities close after the fall foliage season concludes in mid-October.

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Best Camping Sites Near Jefferson, New Hampshire (253)

    1. Moose Brook State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-3860

    $35 - $45 / night

    "This state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."

    "This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly.

    Nice site."

    2. Dolly Copp Campground

    19 Reviews
    Randolph, NH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    $30 - $44 / night

    "PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m.

    Location!"

    "This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel."

    3. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    31 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Cool location right on the edge of the Dry River Wilderness. Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area. Some spots are right on the highway with not much tree cover in between so can be loud."

    "This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"

    4. Twin Mountain-Mt. Washington KOA

    10 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 846-5559

    "There are tons of hiking trails in and close by the site. And other activities close by for family or adult fun like Story Land? Santa's Village, and more."

    "The trail is right outside the lip of the campsite. Totally had a fun time."

    5. Sugarloaf 1 Campground

    11 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $24 / night

    "This campground is a perfect basecamp for the Jefferson area. There are many different types of site."

    "Definitely a step above primitive campsites (there’s a flushing toilet and water), but this site doesn’t have some of the other features you find at some larger campgrounds (no sinks, washbasins, or showers"

    6. Crawford Notch Campground

    24 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $25 / night

    "-Our site was big and walking around the grounds the other sites appeared to all be pretty good sized as well. They are not lying when they call their sites secluded either!"

    "Cabins and RV sites with hookups are closer yo the entrance, store and road. That latter feature is a bit if a bummer bc the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."

    7. Lantern Resort Motel & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Jefferson, NH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (603) 586-7151

    "The staff is helpful and the location is wonderful, especially if you have kids. It's near many hiking trails and walking distance to Santa's Village."

    "kiddie pool for the kids, hot tub for the adults, free hot showers they even have a bath tub for the young kiddos or handicapped. within walking distance to Santa's village for the littles!"

    8. Jefferson Campground

    6 Reviews
    Jefferson, NH
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 586-4510

    $34 - $67 / night

    "Jefferson Campground is located near the intersection of Routes 2 and 115 in the White Mountains. The new owners have made major improvements since the spring of 2019 when they took ownership."

    "This spot was located near Mt. Washington, which was what we needed, we booked late so we ended up here. It’s fine, full hookups, decent in and out, probably great views when it isn’t foggy."

    9. Sugarloaf 2 Campground

    9 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $24 / night

    "Access to some of the best hiking in New Hampshire!"

    "Feels like you are away from other campers even when full. Easy access to beautiful Zeacliff trails and sugarloaf mountains as well as easy access to what the white mountains have to offer."

    10. Mountain Lake Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Lancaster, NH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 788-4509

    "Lake, hiking, canoeing, paddle boarding, bike riding, all of it is right here! Nice, shaded spots with a lovely Mountain View."

    "Store on site and close to Santa's Village"

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Recent Camping Photos near Jefferson, NH

934 Photos of 253 Jefferson Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Jefferson, NH

1188 Reviews of 253 Jefferson Campgrounds

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?

  • Josh S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountain Lake Camping Resort

    Great campground for families!

    If you're looking for a safe, family friendly, quiet campground this is it.

    Pool with water slides for kids, Kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, playground with slides and a pirate ship.

    Strict quiet hours at 1030 make it very quiet in the evening with no worry of loud parties keeping you up.

    Super clean restrooms and sites and a camp store with about everything in it.

    10 minute drive to the cute town of Lancaster which has coffee shops, brewery, restaurants, bakery and groceries.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Chill spots with nearby creek and river

    Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road.

  • Dale S.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Nauman Tentsite

    Perfect Camping Adventure in White Mountains

    This campsite sounds like a perfect spot for nature lovers who enjoy rugged terrain and peaceful surroundings. The mix of wooden platforms, nearby water sources, and bear protection measures shows how well-prepared it is for group camping. Exploring trails like the Appalachian or enjoying the views from Mount Washington would make the trip even more memorable— almost like the adventure and excitement you find in an android game.

  • Amanda B.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    Fabulous Front Backcountry Camping

    8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart. It's wonderfully relaxing and quiet. The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Plymouth Sands Camping Area

    Nice campground with amenities and friendly owners

    The campground is in a convenient location near lots of hiking trails and attractions. The sites are decently spacious and have various configurations for utilities. There is a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim. We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids. Firewood is available on site. There is a bathroom with a few stalls and sinks that is well kept and clean. The showers are quarter operated with a coin heat lamp as well for the colder seasons. The office has a lending library of games available. The couple that owns the campground are very friendly and have owned it for 3 seasons now and they have done a great job making sure that amenities are kept up and upgrades are being made.

  • jonathan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Ladd Pond Cabins And Campground

    Hidden gem

    Stayed in a tent they do have multiple tent sites RV sites and cabins available more than enough room for tents they have a beautiful pond in the back they have showers or a shower and toilet for those that need it a common room for those that want to cook food play games watch movies. it's about 11 minutes to the grocery store in downtown colebrook. The owners are amazing people they are very nice and kind. This place is really a hidden gem

  • bwillz1986 W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Crocker Pond

    Gem

    Nice gem. Toilets were pristine. Very peaceful. Not all sights have drive in access so get here early

Guide to Jefferson

Camping near Jefferson, New Hampshire provides access to the White Mountain National Forest's diverse terrain, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 4,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with daytime summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to 50-60°F. Primitive camping options require proper food storage due to black bears that are active throughout the region.

What to do

Hiking to mountain summits: The trail to Middle Sugarloaf Mountain is accessible from Sugarloaf 1 Campground and offers panoramic views. "For anyone curious they open 5/9/2025 for reservations and ACTUAL camping," notes one visitor about seasonal planning. Another camper mentions, "Sites are large, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them."

Swimming in natural waters: At Crawford Notch Campground, campers can access the Saco River directly. "The river is great for exploring! But it's extremely cold, swift, shallow, so it's not ideal for swimming," warns one visitor. Another camper describes, "You don't feel like you're at a campground here, and that's what I love about this place."

Mountain biking on local trails: Moose Brook State Park Campground features extensive biking trails maintained by local cycling clubs. A reviewer notes, "There are also many hiking trails in the park and a ton of great mountain biking terrain in the park and accessible from the park. The local Coos Cycling Club maintains the trails and is constantly improving and creating more terrain."

What campers like

Secluded wooded sites: Sugarloaf 2 Campground offers privacy among tall trees. "Secluded, quiet, decent sized sites. Feels like you are away from other campers even when full," writes one reviewer. Another mentions, "There is a nice field for kids to run around in or to star gaze."

Clean bathroom facilities: At Dry River Campground, campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities. "The ranger at this campground was so helpful. The spots are nice and secluded. The showers are great and they have a full bathroom," notes one visitor. Another camper 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."

Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds in the area offer clear night skies when weather permits. "We had enough privacy to open the shade on our big picture window on our tiny teardrop and fall asleep looking at the stars," reports a camper at Sugarloaf 1. The higher elevation and distance from large cities reduces light pollution throughout the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Jefferson, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, Jefferson, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 253 campgrounds and RV parks near Jefferson, NH and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Jefferson, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jefferson, NH is Moose Brook State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jefferson, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Jefferson, NH.

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