Tent camping near Loudon, New Hampshire offers varied terrain from riverside settings to forested hills, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during daytime hours, dropping to 55-65°F overnight. Local campgrounds maintain restrictions on gathering firewood from surrounding forests to prevent spread of invasive insects.
What to do
River recreation access: Baker Rocks provides direct access to the Baker River where visitors can fish or simply relax. According to Justin P., "There is a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery."
Hiking preparation: Cardigan Campsites serves as a strategic base camp for accessing Mount Cardigan trails. As Madison G. notes, "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! Or after! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!"
Water activities: Boat-in camping provides unique access to water recreation. Squam Lakes Association maintains sites specifically designed for kayakers and canoeists. Jen S. reports, "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."
What campers like
Private site layouts: Tent campers appreciate the secluded feeling at many campgrounds despite proximity to amenities. One camper at Baker Rocks noted, "The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight."
Conservation-focused camping: Squam Lakes Association sites appeal to environmentally-conscious campers. Shari G. explains, "The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area via the Squam Lakes Association."
Upgraded accommodations: Some campgrounds continually improve facilities. At Lost Boys Hideout, Steve K. observed, "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly within specific windows. For example, Squam Lakes Association campgrounds open reservations February 15th each year and fill rapidly.
Toilet facilities: Composting toilets are common at primitive sites. According to Jen S., "The composting toilets were clean" at Squam Lakes Association sites.
Site amenities: Amenities vary significantly between established and primitive sites. Justin P. described Baker Rocks amenities: "The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area."
Insect preparedness: Insects can be problematic during summer months. April W. advises, "Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected."
Tips for camping with families
Diverse accommodation options: Families can choose from traditional tent sites to more comfortable options. April W. shared about Baker Rocks, "We stayed 2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt both were spacious and wonderful, among tall trees and pines."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds incorporate small farm animals. April W. notes, "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)."
Activity-focused campgrounds: Family-oriented campgrounds often provide extensive recreational facilities. Samantha N. described Salmon Falls River RV Resort: "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds near Loudon have challenging access roads. At Viewland Campground, Kirsten J. observed, "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 and we were very close to some RV's that had been on the property for decades."
Seasonal operation: Most RV facilities operate seasonally. Salmon Falls River RV Resort maintains a May 15 - October 15 season, closing during winter months when freezing temperatures affect water systems.
Transition management: Ownership changes can affect service quality. Aaron G. noted about Salmon Falls, "If I have one issue it would be that it went to a KOA which isn't bad but the transition year seemed a bit wanky and hopefully this year will be better as my kids love it there and we'll continue to go back often."
