Campgrounds near Moultonborough offer diverse overnight options in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, where elevation ranges from 504 to 930 feet above sea level. The area experiences warm summer days with average temperatures of 75-85°F and cool nights dropping to 55-65°F. Sites throughout the region provide access to Lake Winnipesaukee's 72 square miles of water, with many campgrounds featuring direct lake access or water views.
What to do
Hiking at White Ledge: Access the Carter Ledge Trail directly from White Ledge Campground for mountain views. "Great place to start Carter Ledge Trail to hike Three Sisters and Mount Chocorua. The campground is directly next to Rt 16, so expect to hear some road noise, more so during the day," notes Timothy M.
River access for swimming: Cool off in the Swift River at Covered Bridge Campground where water activities are popular. A visitor shared, "It was great to wade in the river by the entrance after hiking and cool my feet off. It made a good home base for exploring."
Kayaking the Baker River: Rent equipment at Baker River Campground for an easy paddling adventure. "Located on the Baker River with a cozy beach. There is amazing hiking, fishing, biking, swimming, fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, all things outdoors nearby," explains a camper.
Boat access camping: Experience waterfront sites at Moultonborough's lakeside locations. "Campground is right on the lake, very clean, pet friendly, employees are great, overall just a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself!" mentions Austin M. about the local camping options.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Waterville Campground offers secluded spots with natural settings. "Big wooded sites with some privacy. 1 mile hike into Waterville Town Square. It's bear country so plan accordingly," advises Cate H.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "Bathrooms are close to every site. The beaches along the Saco river is awesome," notes a visitor to Eastern Slope Camping Area.
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Moultonborough, New Hampshire, several campgrounds provide these accommodations. "Harbor Hill has a group campsite specifically for climbers, which was $10 a person when we stayed there. Nice setting right next to the Baker River!" shares Kel K.
Wildlife viewing: Many sites offer opportunities to see local animals. "A path leads straight down to the river, which we can hear running from the tents at night... It's early July and there's been hardly anyone staying here!" says Heather B. about her camping experience.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October. "Covered Bridge is one of the first campgrounds on the kancamangus which makes it extremely accessible for most. The site offers basic amenities such as clean toilets," explains Michael M.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Very spotty Verizon cell coverage and no TMobile service at all. Better coverage for both carriers near the top of the boulder loop trail," warns Jae H.
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds report bear activity. "The camp honestly is really nice and well maintained. Some Verizon work and vault toilets. The first day I got there at around 5:30 I was sitting in my hammock reading when a black bear cub strolled through my campsite," reports Kitty from Waterville.
Reservation timing: Book early for summer weekends, especially for yurt accommodations or alternative camping structures around Moultonborough. Sites with glamping and yurt options often fill 2-3 months in advance for prime summer dates.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: White Lake State Park offers family-friendly amenities. "This is a wonderful place with lots of trees and sites that are reasonably spaced, if not all that private. There is a nice beach and a trail that goes around the entire small lake," shares Carolyn M.
Look for shallow swimming areas: Safety features make lake swimming better for kids. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids, and there is a separate boat launch area," mentions Jean C.
Plan for entertainment variety: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities. "A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper. The river was awesome," describes Sue W.
Bring bikes for kids: Several campgrounds have internal roads perfect for biking. "Every summer, we would take the kids camping for a week and we all loved it. You can rent canoes, hike around the lake, and the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground," according to a regular visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some waterfront sites require extra preparation. "Most of the waterfront sites are back in, and 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."
Height restrictions: Watch for covered bridges when navigating to certain campgrounds. "Covered bridge has 7.9' height restriction from the main scenic highway. We had to go out to Conway and drive back in," cautions an RVer.
Electric options: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup capabilities. "Our site was labeled as a 50 amp connection, but it wasn't, it was 30 amp. So double check that," advises Michael K.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full services. "There are full hook-ups and if you plan to only use the bathroom and shower in your RV it is likely fine. The showers are horrific," warns a visitor about facilities at one location.
