Backcountry tent camping near Moultonborough, New Hampshire offers primitive sites within the dense northern hardwood and conifer forests of the White Mountains region. Many camping areas sit between 500-1,300 feet elevation, providing access to subalpine environments with cold mountain streams and seasonal standing water. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, requiring specialized cold-weather gear for winter campers, while summer nights typically cool to the 50s.
What to do
Riverside exploration: Fourth Iron Campground provides direct access to the Saco River with multiple rocky beaches between the sites. "The water is clear and cold, refreshing on a warm day," notes one visitor. This walk-in campground offers swimming and wading opportunities when weather permits.
Backcountry hiking: Access multiple trailheads from dispersed camping areas. "Prime moose habitat!" reports a camper at Rogers Ledge. The trail climbs gradually from the Berlin Fish Hatchery through boggy areas before entering boreal forest. For more challenging terrain, try the Bond Cliff trail where "we got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and streams offer fishing near backcountry campsites. One camper at Sawyer Pond mentions, "I've ice-fished on the pond," demonstrating year-round angling opportunities. The Baker River near several campsites provides additional fishing spots, though success varies by season and water conditions.
What campers like
Secluded water access: Sawyer Pond offers pond-side camping with excellent stargazing. "The pond is gorgeous and the stars were AMAZING. You do have to forage for firewood, which can be rough, but there's a fire pit right in front of the lean-to. I've never seen stars like I did here, all around the pond," reports one visitor.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite remote locations, many sites feature basic amenities. At Baker Rocks, "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."
Easy access to beginner backpacking: For those new to wilderness camping, several locations offer relatively short hikes to established sites. "This is a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids!" notes a visitor about Sawyer Pond. "The hike from the parking lot to the campsite was 1.5 miles and pretty easy. It is mostly flat with a few minor hills."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Campsite accessibility varies greatly by season. "Check the White Mountain National Forest website for information about road openings in the spring and fall," advises one camper. Spring often brings mud and high water, while winter requires specialized gear and experience.
Bear safety protocols: Bear-resistant food storage is essential. "Plan to hang your food due to bears," notes a Sawyer Pond visitor. Camp Penacook Shelter and other sites have nearby water sources, but caution is advised: "Back towards the main piper trail is a brook where you can pump water if you have a filter. It can be hard to determine where the bank is if there's still snow on the ground, so be careful!"
Reservation systems vary: Some sites require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "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," reports a visitor about boat-in campsites. For first-come sites, "Have a back-up plan for an alternate camping location."
Tips for camping with families
Choose appropriate hiking distances: Select campsites with manageable approaches for children. At Sawyer Pond, "Either approach, but particularly the one from Sawyer River Rd, is family friendly." Look for trails under 2 miles with minimal elevation gain for younger children.
Pack extra layers: Mountain weather changes rapidly, especially at higher elevations. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, requiring warm sleeping bags and additional clothing for children.
Look for sites with tent platforms: These provide level, dry surfaces for tents with children. Guyot Shelter offers "a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops," though one camper notes there's "No space for non-free standing tents."
Tips from RVers
Consider base camping options: For families wanting RV amenities with tent camping excursions, Paugus Brook Farm offers a field camping area a short walk from parking. "The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway)," reports a visitor.
Small RVs only: Most campgrounds near Moultonborough that accommodate RVs have size limitations. Look for sites specifying small trailer or van camping rather than big-rig facilities, as forest roads and campground entrances often have tight clearances and limited turning radius.
