Cabin camping near Madison, New Hampshire provides rustic to modern accommodations throughout the foothills of the White Mountains. The area sits at approximately 600 feet elevation with surrounding peaks reaching over 3,000 feet. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer days average in the 70s-80s with cooler evenings, requiring appropriate packing for cabin stays regardless of season.
What to do
River recreation: The Swift and Saco Rivers offer excellent water activities. At Whits End Campground, campers can tube down the river even during low water periods. "River is great, even when low you can still tube it!!" notes a visitor who appreciated their "great heated pool" as an alternative water option.
Hiking access: Many cabins provide direct trail access. Covered Bridge Campground connects directly to Boulder Loop Trail, eliminating parking concerns. "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 one reviewer who found this connectivity convenient.
Disc golf: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses on-site. "We tubed on the Saco river and it was like a lazy river. So nice and relaxing," reports a camper who enjoyed the amenities at Saco River Camping Area including "bike rentals, disc golf, ping pong table, outside big chess game, pool."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Many cabin areas feature well-designed layouts. "Sites were large and level. Many large trees created a lot of shade. A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper," noted a visitor to Eastern Slope Camping Area.
Waterfront views: Lakeside cabins provide memorable nature experiences. "Lakeside fire and sunset with the loons calling - perfect combo," shares a camper at Huttopia White Mountains, who appreciated the diverse "swimming options, including: beachfront, middle of the lake, or pool."
Family activities: Scheduled events keep all ages occupied. "They seem to always have events & family friendly activities to keep kids entertained. I always appreciate the onsite kayak rentals for exploring the river that runs along the campground," writes a return visitor to Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort who also noted the accessibility of Mary's Mountain for hiking.
What you should know
Bear safety: Black bears are common in the White Mountain region. "We spent 5 days and wished it was longer. 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!" reports a visitor to Jellystone Park Glen Ellis who encountered wildlife during their stay.
Seasonal flooding: Some areas experience spring flooding. "Got flooded campground not prepared to handle the situation or help campers," warns one camper about Eastern Slope Camping Area, while another notes this campground has "floods twice in five years." Reserve accordingly during spring thaw periods.
Campfire restrictions: Quiet hours and fire policies are strictly enforced at many locations. "The campground has a rule that fires have to be out at 11:30," notes a regular visitor to Danforth Bay, who found that "security people have been extremely aggressive" about enforcing these rules despite their group being quiet.
Tips for camping with families
Children's amenities: Look for cabins near kid-friendly facilities. Jellystone Park Glen Ellis offers extensive options as one parent describes: "Clean water, great swimming, tubing and fishing. Mountains and hiking are within easy reach and a day spent at the campground itself is never a wasted day!"
Educational activities: Some campgrounds offer learning opportunities. "They had an adorable mining station for the kids at the front and it was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed it there," shares a visitor to Saco River Camping Area, which provides this hands-on activity for younger guests.
Beach access: River beaches provide safe swimming zones. "The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out," mentions a visitor to Eastern Slope who appreciated that this campground has "two beaches" with dog-friendly policies at one of them, noting they were "clean and large."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Waterfront cabin and RV sites often require significant leveling. "The only level part of the site is away from the deck and water. My wife wanted to get the camper up close to the deck so our area under the awning was close to that, which meant I had a lot more leveling to do," explains a camper at Chocorua KOA who needed multiple blocks to level properly.
Restrictions on large rigs: Some cabin areas have limited access for larger vehicles. "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," warns a Covered Bridge Campground visitor about navigating to their site with a 20-foot trailer.
Hookup variations: Electrical connections don't always match descriptions. "Our site was labeled as a 50 amp connection, but it wasn't, it was 30 amp. So double check that," advises a Chocorua KOA visitor who encountered this discrepancy during their waterfront stay.
