37 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The White Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas near Laconia, New Hampshire offer diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Squam Lakes Association maintains several tent-only campsites accessible by boat or hiking trails, operating from May through November with tent platforms and fire rings but no drinking water. Sawyer Pond, located about 30 miles north of Laconia, provides primitive tent camping with six tent platforms along a scenic pond, accessible via a 1.5-mile hiking trail from NH Highway 302 or a longer 4.5-mile route from the Kancamagus Highway.
Most tent campsites in the region require campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste management. Composting toilets are common at backcountry sites, but potable water is rarely available, requiring filtration from natural sources. Bear activity is prevalent throughout the area, with many sites offering bear boxes or hanging systems for food storage. Tent platforms are standard at many locations, necessitating freestanding tents. Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with some forest roads closed during mud season in spring, and higher elevation sites experiencing snow into early summer. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with complete bans possible during dry periods.
Backcountry tent camping experiences vary significantly across the region. According to one camper at Sawyer Pond, "The sites are pretty close together but on weeknights you can have the place to yourself." At Fourth Iron Campground, visitors appreciate the short quarter-mile walk-in access that creates a buffer from road noise while maintaining proximity to the Saco River. A Squam Lakes Association reviewer noted that sites "fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on February 15," highlighting the popularity of these primitive tent camping areas. Walk-in tent sites at Paugus Brook Farm offer "fairly level ground and lots of space" with a "brand new and super clean" outhouse nearby, making it suitable for those seeking basic amenities with natural surroundings.
"The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only."
"We really enjoyed our stay here - we prefer tent camping and like to be secluded; we are not into RV parks. This was fantastic. Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene."
from $50 - $110 / night
Check Availability"I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area. Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins."
"The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."
from $60 - $325 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $33 / night
Check Availability"I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"You can reach the backcountry campsites via a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302, or in 4.5 miles from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off 112(the Kancamangus Highway)."
"Sawyer Pond was my introduction to backpacking more than 40 years ago."
"As you head up the Piper Trail, as you're nearing the 3 mile mark, it starts to get steep and mostly stone steps. Luckily, right as you begin to tire, the branch for the Spur Trail appears!"
from $65 - $129 / night
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GuideAdorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.
LegendThere are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).
Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.
There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.
Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.
TravelerMy first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream. There was a microburst over the campground the night I was there but the water drained down into the stream so I was not sleeping in a puddle. My site was in the row closest to the road where there was truck noise for much of the night. I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible.
LegendI reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.
When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night.
I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it.
If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.
The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.
This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.
GuideCool 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. Some walk in sites with platforms are further from the road
Vid is from the river off the trail that starts in the campground
GuideWalk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.
LegendWe had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.
GuideStep walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences. A outhouse is located at this tent site as well as pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter. Great place to stay on the Pemi Loop. It is a carry in carry out campsite.
Traveleri stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.
This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.
campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.
Tent campsites near Laconia, New Hampshire offer outdoor experiences that range from secluded pond-side spots to field camping with mountain views. Many backcountry sites in this region require hiking distances of 1.5 to 4.5 miles with elevation gains between 500-1,500 feet. The White Mountain National Forest encompasses over 750,000 acres with dozens of designated primitive camping areas, most situated between 1,200 and 3,000 feet elevation.
Climbing and bouldering: At AAC Rattlesnake Campground, climbers can access the renowned Rumney Rocks climbing area. "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one!" notes Les R.
Winter snowshoeing: Many backcountry tent campsites remain accessible during winter months, though the trek becomes more challenging. One camper at Sawyer Pond reported: "Waist deep snow made hike in a little more difficult, post holing every 5th step. Cant beat the view from shelter over Sawyer pond."
Fishing nearby waters: The Baker River provides fishing opportunities for those staying at tent sites in the region. "I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler," mentions Justin P. about his experience at Baker Rocks.
Star gazing: The minimal light pollution at remote camping areas creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The pond is gorgeous and the stars were AMAZING. You do have to forage for firewood, which can be rough, but there's a fire pit right in front of the lean to. I've never seen stars like I did here, all around the pond."
Privacy and seclusion: Baker Rocks tent sites offer a true wilderness feel despite being accessible. "The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight."
Shelter options: Some camping areas feature lean-tos or shelters as alternatives to tent platforms. At Camp Penacook Shelter, "This is a 3-sided shelter with a fairly low roof. You could fit one larger tent or two smaller tents, but I highly suggest sleeping in the open air!"
Water features: Many tent sites are positioned near lakes, ponds, or rivers. "The sites are pretty close to one another but I was alone so I had privacy. The lake is just steps away from the camping sites and is absolutely beautiful," writes a reviewer about Sawyer Pond.
Accessible but remote feel: Several camping areas strike a balance between accessibility and wilderness. "The camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area," notes a camper at Paugus Brook Farm.
Limited firewood availability: At some backcountry sites, collecting adequate firewood can be challenging. "There was very little available firewood near the campsites," reports a Sawyer Pond camper. Pack a camp stove as backup for cooking.
Site occupancy patterns: Weekends see significantly higher usage than weekdays at most tent camping areas. "The campground was completely full the night before (Saturday night)," noted a Sunday visitor to Sawyer Pond. Midweek visits offer much better site availability.
Bear safety requirements: Food storage is essential throughout the region. At Squam Lakes Association sites, "There is a composting toilet in each camping area, but no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter."
Variable toilet facilities: Backcountry toilet facilities range from none to composting toilets. "The composting toilets were clean," notes Jen S. about Squam Lakes Association sites, while at Paugus Brook Farm, "The outhouse is brand new and super clean and right nearby."
Short hiking distance options: For families with young children, choose sites with minimal hiking distances. "This is a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids! The site has one shelter and 6 campsites available on the bank of Sawyer Pond."
Trail difficulty considerations: Some trails are more suitable for children than others. "The hike from the parking lot to the campsite was 1.5 miles and pretty easy. It is mostly flat with a few minor hills (I saw children and elderly folks easily using this trail)."
Arrival timing strategy: With limited site availability, early arrival is crucial when camping with children. "Due to the site's popularity, plan accordingly. Have a back-up plan for an alternate camping location. We witnessed several parties, many with young children, arriving late to find that all the sites were occupied."
Animal encounters: Some camping areas feature domesticated animals that appeal to children. At Baker Rocks, "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites). Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected."
Glamping alternatives: For those transitioning from RV to tent camping, several sites offer glamping options. At Baker Rocks, "Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. I booked one of the tent platforms."
Campground layout awareness: Unlike RV parks with defined roads, some tent campgrounds have less obvious layouts. "The road to get to Viewland Campground is very steep. The campground loop is a one-way loop that is not easily marked. The road was very narrow."
Tent platform considerations: Tent platforms are common at backcountry sites but require freestanding tents. "Sites have platforms large enough to accommodate two free standing 2-4 person tents, depending on size and style. Each site also has a fire ring."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Laconia, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Laconia, NH is Squam Lakes Association with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Laconia, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Laconia, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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