280 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campers visiting Lincoln, New Hampshire can access several good camping spots that serve as jumping-off points for White Mountain adventures. The DyrtTentrr Signature Site - Grandmother Maple Camp has large sites near hiking paths that many campers like. Another option is Beverly Beach State Park Campground, which sits close to water and has nice views of the surrounding area. Most camping areas have basic needs covered with toilets and drinking water available. You'll typically find fire rings and picnic tables at the campsites, which works well when camping with family. The summer months fill up fast, so you should reserve your spot early if you're planning to visit then. White Mountain National Forest surrounds the area with plenty of trails to hike on during your stay. If you like fishing, you can try your luck in several streams and ponds near the campgrounds. Lincoln town is close enough for quick trips to grab food or supplies when needed. Mountain weather changes quickly here, so checking the forecast before you go is smart. Lincoln makes a good base camp whether you're there in summer or coming to see the leaves change color in fall.
"My 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."
"The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"
"This campground is in a fantastic location."
from $62 - $209 / night
Check Availability"Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends."
"Most of the reviews talk about the walk-in tent sites, but there's more to this campground that is located along the Kancamagus Highway just before the Lincoln Woods Visitors' Center."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Camp sites are huge and surrounded by trees. The water faucet is all over the loop, but you can't connect a hose. No dump station for the RVs either."
"We had a great time here for fall camping, we were able to drive up and get a site that day."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."
"Plenty of walking for dogs with a natural pool for them to swim in and the large pool with pirate ship is perfect for little kids with the beach entry. easy location to get to with a travel trailer too"
from $49 - $129 / night
Check Availability"Great little campground spots for both campers and tents right along the river
ample parking with great surrounding sights of New Hampshire as well as being next door to Clark’s trading post, a New Hampshire"
"Centrally located to Franconia Notch SP, Woodstock and Lincoln. They also have individual anions for rent. This is a great little spot to enjoy all of the amazing outdoor activities in the area."
"You can pick any spot, each one has a different variety wIth size and how deep into the woods you want to walk. No showers or bathrooms, a porter potty at the entrance but that’s about it."
"Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-sept.)."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"This is a great spot away from crowds. Good location for hiking, and short drive to Lincoln, NH. Sites are nicely wooded and not on top of you neighbor. Camp hosts are very friendly."
"The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area."
from $24 / night
Check Availability
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
TravelerStayed 8 nights with complete solitude. Bugs weren't too bad. There were plenty of dead birch trees and beech trees for firewood. Not any evergreens though. Site 16 has two campsites. I took the further one with plenty of room. Good size fire pit, but people before me left some large pieces of wood not completely put out along with lit coals.
ScoutWe stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
TravelerNo major complaints. Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together.
TravelerHonestly a wonderful place, gorgeous little lake and beach, incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Note though if you’re staying in one of the new RV sites, it is nowhere near the bathrooms or bathhouse - like a 10+ minute walk, and I wouldn’t want to do it at night. The RV section is clearly still very very new, and they’re working out the kinks, so only go here if you’ve got a self-sufficient RV and don’t need bathrooms. There are all 3 hookups, though the sewer hookup was so far back our short hose did not reach. But they do sell extensions at the visitors center, and there is a dump station, though we had to call to have them unlock it. Overall a great place, but be aware if you’re looking for a place with both full RV hookups and bathrooms, this is not it!
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
TravelerBeyond friendly staff. The sites and kept up. The cabins are like a home away from home. Little dan and big Dan are amazing to go swimming in. The store has everything you'd want or need during ur trip!
GuideThis was such a great campground! Before we even left we were planning on returning. It’s clean, has great facilities and a camp store with anything you need or forgot without having to go to Walmart. It’s a fun place for kids, peaceful for parents, plenty to do on site and nearby.
ScoutThis dirt road joins with Trudue rd to form a loop. There are pull in/back in sites with plenty of privacy. No cell service. Only a couple or of sites offer sun so use of solar can be difficult. Starlink does not work.
Sites are roomy, private and close to streams. There is hiker traffic that adds to the charm. A lovely place to camp. There
Camping opportunities in Lincoln, New Hampshire cluster along the scenic Route 112 corridor and Kancamagus Highway, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet. White Mountain National Forest surrounds the area, creating consistently cooler temperatures than lower-elevation regions—often 10-15 degrees lower than southern New Hampshire. Lincoln NH campgrounds typically experience chilly nights even in summer, with overnight temperatures frequently dropping into the 40s.
Hiking Mount Osceola trail: For serious hikers camping at Russell Pond Campground, this campground serves as an ideal base. "This was an ideal location to hike Mt. Osceola the next day, then drive the Kancamagus Highway and camp at the other end of the White Mountain National Forest," notes camper Melissa W.
Waterfall exploration: Multiple waterfall hikes begin near Lincoln area campgrounds. At Dry River Campground, campers can access falls directly from their site. "Hiked the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail right from the campground!" shares Michele S., who appreciated the convenient trail access.
Stream and river play: Many Lincoln NH camping options feature water access. At Country Bumpkins Campground, "Most of the sites are along the river which makes it such a relaxing place to be!" according to Angela A., who visits multiple times annually despite the somewhat hard ground for tent camping.
Natural swimming spots: Hancock Campground offers a natural swimming hole that draws praise from campers. "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," notes Tara S., who recommends seeking waterfront sites for the best experience.
Private wooded campsites: Many Lincoln area campgrounds offer secluded sites. At Lost River Valley Campground, "Every site is surrounded by trees, most near a creek too. Very friendly and clean facilities," according to Sarah S., who recommends asking about grouped sites when camping with friends.
Year-round access: Unlike many New Hampshire campgrounds that close for winter, some Lincoln area options remain open. "Open year round!! I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter (it is so nice to have an open bathroom in the winter!) and a few times in the summer," explains Kim O. about Hancock Campground.
Limited amenities at national forest sites: Many White Mountain campgrounds offer basic facilities only. At Wildwood Campground, "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," explains Jean C.
Cell service dead zones: Many Lincoln area campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. At Moose Hillock Camping Resort, "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted," notes Lauren Q., explaining the challenges of staying connected.
Bear activity requires precautions: Bear activity affects several campgrounds near Lincoln. At Tripoli Road camping area, "You need to be aware that bears are in the area... the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open," warns Jean C., emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
Water features for kids: Moose Hillock Camping Resort receives high marks from families for its swimming amenities. "This campground was clean, nice sites, private, amenities galore, friendly staff and AMAZING pool!!!!! Will definitely be back annually," raves Jennifer E.
Playgrounds and activities: Several Lincoln NH campgrounds include play areas for children. At Country Bumpkins, "There is a small arcade game room, WiFi at each site and an outdoor play area for kids," notes Sawyer G., who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere.
Site selection for families: Some campsites work better for families than others. "If you're looking for easy to strenuous hikes that can be accessed from one place, this is the spot!" advises Chelsea M. about Lafayette Place Campground, noting it has "playground and paved paths, good for families or small groups."
Site leveling challenges: Some Lincoln area campgrounds present leveling difficulties. At Country Bumpkins Campground, "It was slightly uphill, so we had to pull the RV all the way to the front of the site to be able to level," notes camper C.O., who still found the location convenient for accessing nearby attractions.
Limited RV sites at some campgrounds: Not all Lincoln NH campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Russell Pond, "Most of campsites are not rv/trailer friendly since they are tucked into the hillside and usually have a few stairs either up or down to the tent sites and the few that are trailer/rv friendly are small, wont fit much more than a pop up," explains J.W.
Hookup availability varies: Many White Mountain National Forest campgrounds lack hookups, while private campgrounds offer more services. "The campground is very hilly and kids are ripping around in pedal and motorized bikes and scooters which is fine but no control at all in regards to speed and helmets," observes Lauren Q. about Moose Hillock, showing that even full-service campgrounds have trade-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Lincoln, NH?
The Lincoln area boasts several exceptional campgrounds. Big Rock is particularly convenient, located just 8 minutes from Lincoln with 28 wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway, making it perfect for accessing town amenities. Hancock Campground is another excellent option along the Kancamagus Highway, featuring walk-in tent sites and remaining open year-round with plowed access in winter. For hikers, Sugarloaf 2 Campground offers clean, wooded campsites with access to some of the best hiking trails in New Hampshire. Each campground has its own character, with options ranging from convenient road access to more secluded natural settings.
Are there private campgrounds available in Lincoln, New Hampshire?
Yes, Lincoln offers several private campground options. Private Field and Woods Camping provides a secluded nature experience with beautiful landscapes and comfortable amenities for those seeking privacy. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins is another private option located near Clark's Trading Post, a popular New Hampshire attraction. These private campgrounds typically offer more amenities than public sites, including facilities like showers, laundry services, and sometimes hookups for RVs. Many private campgrounds in the Lincoln area stay open longer into the shoulder seasons, providing camping opportunities when public sites may be closed.
Can I find riverside camping options in Lincoln?
Yes, the Lincoln area offers excellent riverside camping opportunities. The Pastures Campground is a charming option situated along a river, with Vermont visible across the water on the north side of the property. This campground features spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Jigger Johnson Campground on the Kancamagus Highway also provides riverside sites with swimming opportunities. Many riverside campgrounds in the area offer the soothing sounds of flowing water right from your campsite, creating a peaceful atmosphere. These waterside locations are particularly popular in summer months, so arriving early or making reservations where available is recommended.
How close is Lafayette campground to Lincoln, NH?
Lafayette Place Campground is approximately 8 miles (about a 15-minute drive) north of Lincoln on I-93 through Franconia Notch State Park. This campground offers spectacular scenery with sites situated next to streams and easy access to the surrounding natural attractions. During winter months, the campground switches to walk-in access only as it isn't plowed. For a different backcountry experience near Lincoln, Garfield Ridge Campsite and Shelter can be accessed by hiking up from Lincoln Woods, offering platform sites and a shelter along the Appalachian Trail. Lafayette's proximity to Lincoln makes it a convenient base for exploring both the town's amenities and the wilderness of Franconia Notch.
Keep Exploring
