Best Tent Camping near Madison, NH
The White Mountains region surrounding Madison, New Hampshire offers numerous tent camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Sawyer Pond provides free, hike-in tent camping with access to mountain views and water sources, while Fourth Iron Campground offers riverside tent sites with basic amenities. Several Appalachian Trail shelters and designated backcountry tent sites can be found within hiking distance, including Camp Penacook Shelter and Ethan Pond Shelter.
Most backcountry tent sites in the area require significant hiking to access, with trails ranging from 1.5 to 5 miles depending on the location. Many sites feature tent platforms or cribbing to minimize environmental impact on fragile mountain soils. Bear boxes are commonly provided at established backcountry tent sites, though some areas require campers to bring rope for hanging food. Composting toilets are available at larger sites, while smaller areas may have no facilities. Water sources are typically available but require filtering or treatment. Fire regulations vary by location, with some sites prohibiting fires entirely, particularly at higher elevations.
The terrain throughout the region offers exceptional experiences for tent campers seeking solitude. Sites near water sources like Sawyer Pond and Fourth Iron Campground along the Saco River provide opportunities for swimming during warmer months. Higher elevation tent sites offer cooler temperatures and mountain views. Many areas serve as ideal basecamps for day hikes or sections of longer trails including the Appalachian Trail and Pemi Loop. Seasonal considerations are important when planning, as one visitor noted: "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 and there is plenty of dead and downed wood to have a nice campfire without cutting down standing trees."