A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Melvin Village, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options near Melvin Village, New Hampshire range from established campgrounds to cabin rentals along the shores of lakes and within forested areas. The region includes several developed facilities like Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort and Long Island Bridge Campground, both offering amenities for tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin accommodations. White Lake State Park Campground provides a more traditional outdoor experience with tent sites and basic facilities, while Harbor Hill Camping Area and Gunstock Campground offer mixed-use sites that accommodate various camping styles including glamping options and yurts in some locations.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with limited year-round options. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly. The New Hampshire climate brings warm summers ideal for water activities and cool, colorful falls perfect for hiking. Winter camping is limited but available at select locations. Many campgrounds provide amenities such as showers, toilets, and electric hookups, though primitive sites with fewer services can be found in more remote areas. One visitor noted, "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."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Melvin Village area, with several campgrounds situated on or near lakes. Campers consistently mention the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as highlights of their stays. Sites at Danforth Bay offer lake views and water access, while campgrounds like Chocorua KOA provide family-friendly amenities including markets and organized activities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, visitors appreciate the region's balance of natural settings and convenient facilities. The proximity to hiking trails, swimming areas, and fishing spots enhances the camping experience, though some campgrounds near major roads may experience traffic noise. Campgrounds with cabin options typically provide more amenities and comfort for those seeking a less rustic experience while still enjoying the outdoor setting.
Best Campgrounds near Melvin Village (338)
1. White Lake State Park Campground
"Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."
"I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability2. Gunstock Campground
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability3. Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort
"This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake!"
"We love the golf carts and sandy beaches as well as the proximity to North Conway and Lake Ossipee. Staff are nice, quiet time is a bit over enforced."
from $40 - $85 / night
Check Availability4. Harbor Hill Camping Area
"Free DVD and book lending library, so if you aren't enjoying the great outdoors or walking on their nature trails, you can just read or watch. Easy access to the lake or hiking trails in the area. "
"Sinks are located outside and there is a bIgger sink for washing dishes. We were on an electric/water site but they also have a few primitive sites. We loved it here and will definitely be back."
from $3500 - $4500 / night
Check Availability5. Chocorua KOA
"There were some rules in place in order to ensure social distancing and reduce risk to ourselves and to the staff."
"They were wooded and in a central location close to the playgrounds, pavilion, beach and nature trails."
from $45 - $110 / night
Check Availability6. Long Island Bridge Campground
"Love this campground. great views of the lake. Nice neighbors. Lots of space for my kids to run around. And the family who runs it is very friendly."
"Campground is right on the lake, very clean, pet friendly, employees are great, overall just a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! People are awesome here!"
from $37 - $55 / night
Check Availability7. Paugus Bay Campground
"We seriously lucked out with getting two sites next to eachother over looking the lake though. Pros: -Owners were very friendly and helpful. -Lots of lake activities to do."
"Campground is primarily seasonal sites, however the nightly rentals sites are nicely located near the water."
8. Hunter’s Run RV Park
"They also have a nice game room for them kids or grown ups that struggle to leave technology behind."
from $44 - $135 / night
Check Availability9. Terrace Pines Camping Area
"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!"
from $42 - $48 / night
10. Whits End Campground
"You can tube down the river , it’s peaceful and clean with great views and location is great ❤️ We even went horse back riding as it’s close to castle in the clouds"
Drive Time
- 1 hr 18 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 39 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 46 min from Portland, ME
- 2 hrs 1 min from Boston, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Melvin Village, NH
822 Photos of 338 Melvin Village Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Bear's Pine Woods CampgroundR
Terrace Pines Camping AreaW
Harbor Hill Camping Area
Bearcamp River Campground
Whits End CampgroundH
Paugus Bay Campground
Gunstock Campground
Beaver Hollow Campground
White Lake State Park Campground
Tamworth Camping AreaA
Foothills Family CampgroundL
Danforth Bay Camping & RV ResortL
Recent Reviews near Melvin Village, NH
1549 Reviews of 338 Melvin Village Campgrounds
Henry M.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
- SSean D.
TravelerWellington Camping Park
Very nice campground
A mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Noah P.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Comfortable Stay
Crow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
- KKrista R.Traveler
Moose Brook State Park Campground
Like Dispersed Camping... For $42
Pros: We have the p lube nearly to ourselves, thus it was very similar to dispersed camping. Nice little campground with two small ponds (One for fishing, the other for swimming). Nothing very remarkable, though.
Cons: As others have mentioned, if you want flush toilets and pay showers, you have to either stay at the more crowded, larger loop or walk across the highway to get to those amenities.
Richard P.ScoutSebago Lake Family Campground
Find a better place!
We just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
Guide to Melvin Village
Camping sites near Melvin Village, New Hampshire offer access to both the Lakes Region and White Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet throughout the area. Daytime summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F while dropping to 50-60°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions even during peak season. Water temperatures in Lake Winnipesaukee and smaller ponds stay cool through early summer but warm to the mid-70s by August.
What to do
Kayak rentals at Swift River: Tamworth Camping Area offers easy access to the Swift River with rental options. "Our site was right on the river! You can swim right in the river," notes Betty F. The campground features a small beach area along the riverfront with designated swimming zones.
Adventure activities at Gunstock Mountain: During summer months, Gunstock Campground offers mountain activities beyond typical camping. "They have an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," according to Kasey H. The mountain coaster costs $12 per ride with discounts for multiple rides.
Bird watching at Danforth Bay: The marsh areas surrounding the bay provide habitat for loons and waterfowl. "Waking up to the sound of the loons in the morning was wonderful," shares Michael K. from his waterfront stay at Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort. Several trails around the perimeter offer wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Large wooded campsites: Many campgrounds in the region feature spacious sites with natural separation. "The sites were spacious and felt semi private," reports Stephanie C. about White Lake State Park Campground. Sites typically include a fire ring with grill grate, picnic table, and flat tent pads.
Clean facilities despite heavy use: Campgrounds maintain high standards even during peak season. At Harbor Hill Camping Area, "Bathrooms and showers were very clean and modern," according to Pat's review. Many campgrounds feature coin-operated showers (25 cents for 2-5 minutes of hot water).
Nearby conveniences: Shopping and basic supplies are readily available near most campgrounds. Angela T. notes that near White Lake State Park, "Across the street to the North is the fabulous Rosie's Diner, a homey place with amazing food and home-baked bread. Also just across the street from the entrance to the South is a Dollar General with just about anything a camper could want in a pinch."
What you should know
Site positioning affects leveling: Some waterfront sites require significant leveling equipment. At Chocorua KOA, Michael K. experienced challenges: "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 which meant I had a lot more leveling to do. My 5" drive on leveling blocks weren't enough and I had to put them on top of a 2x8 to level the camper out."
Seasonal campers dominate some areas: Many campgrounds primarily serve seasonal residents. "Most of the sites were seasonal sites. Sites are easy to get in to with an RV and level. Only a few remote sites for tents," reports Pat about Harbor Hill.
Strict enforcement of rules: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours and fire policies stringently. Jeremy P. noted at Danforth Bay: "The security people have been extremely aggressive to us. I could understand if they asked us respectfully not to add to it but the woman got right in our face yelling at us and telling us that she wasn't leaving until the fire is out including the coals."
Tips for camping with families
Book lake-view sites early: Waterfront locations fill months in advance. At Long Island Bridge Campground, Madison K. shares: "This was an absolutely beautiful four day weekend spent at this campground. They had great rent spots, amazing employees, and perfect kayaks that we could rent for a Sunday on the water. The spot looked like a post card." Reservations for July-August waterfront sites typically open in January.
Look for campgrounds with recreation rooms: Rainy day options keep children entertained. "They also have a recreation room on the beach with the candy, floats and toys," notes Angela T. about White Lake State Park. Several campgrounds offer indoor activities like arcade games and organized crafts.
Consider site layout for multiple tents: Family groups often need specific configurations. Sarah W. reports that at Harbor Hill Camping Area: "The tenting sites are pretty big and they allow up to 4 tents and 2 cars per site. Extremely quiet and the bathrooms are super clean." Request corner sites for maximum space when booking with multiple tents.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping options exist: Limited year-round RV camping is available in the region. Mara S. recommends Meredith Woods Four Season Camping: "Snow ploughing happens regularly and reliably. Indoor pool and hot tub are amazing on a snowy frigid winter day. Utility sink for dishes available in heated bathhouse." Winter sites require advance reservation and typically cost $10-15 more per night than summer rates.
Check amp service before booking: Electrical service varies between campgrounds and even within the same facility. Michael K. discovered at Chocorua KOA: "Our site was labeled as a 50 amp connection, but it wasn't, it was 30 amp. So double check that." Some campgrounds offer limited 50-amp service at premium rates.
Narrow campground roads present challenges: Some older campgrounds have tight access roads. Kasey M. notes about Paugus Bay Campground: "My biggest complaint is the narrow roads in the campground. The location is great, and the campground does seem to have quite a bit to offer." Larger RVs (over 32 feet) should call ahead to confirm access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to go boating in Melvin Village, NH?
Is it possible to go boating in Melvin Village, NH?
Yes, boating is very popular in Melvin Village, which sits on Lake Winnipesaukee offering excellent water access. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages provides access to a small New Hampshire pond with beautiful vistas, perfect for kayaking and canoeing. For those seeking larger water bodies, Paugus Bay Campground offers boat-in access to Lake Winnipesaukee. The area features multiple public boat launches, and many waterfront campgrounds provide direct lake access, boat rentals, and docking facilities. Remember that New Hampshire boating permits are required for motorized watercraft on Lake Winnipesaukee.
What amenities are available at the public beach in Melvin Village?
What amenities are available at the public beach in Melvin Village?
The public beach in Melvin Village offers a sandy shoreline with swimming access to Lake Winnipesaukee, portable restrooms, picnic tables, and limited parking. During summer, there are usually trash receptacles and some shade structures available. For families seeking more amenities while visiting the area, Bear Brook State Park Campground features a well-equipped beach with play structures, a camp store, and family-friendly facilities. White Lake State Park Campground also offers an excellent beach alternative with more comprehensive facilities if you're willing to travel a short distance from Melvin Village.
When is the best time to visit Melvin Village for camping?
When is the best time to visit Melvin Village for camping?
The prime camping season in Melvin Village runs from late May through early October, with July and August being the most popular months for warm-weather activities and swimming in Lake Winnipesaukee. For fewer crowds but still pleasant conditions, consider visiting in June or September. Fall foliage season (late September to mid-October) offers spectacular views, as noted by visitors to nearby Jigger Johnson Campground on the Kancamagus Highway. Winter camping is possible at Gunstock Campground near Gilford for those prepared for cold weather, offering proximity to winter sports activities.
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