42 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The White Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas near New Hampton, New Hampshire offer diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to backcountry sites. Squam Lakes Association maintains several tent-only campsites accessible by boat or hiking trails, with tent platforms and fire rings included in the camping fee. These sites operate from May 1 to November 1 and require reservations, which open February 15 and fill quickly. Sawyer Pond, located north of New Hampton, provides primitive tent camping with six designated sites along the pond's edge, accessible via a 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead off NH Highway 302.
Most tent campsites in the region have basic amenities with varying levels of development. Composting toilets are common at backcountry sites, while potable water is rarely available, requiring campers to filter from natural sources or pack in their own supply. Bear boxes are provided at many locations due to active wildlife in the area. Tent platforms are standard at higher-elevation sites to minimize environmental impact, necessitating freestanding tents. Sites at Squam Lakes have fire rings but no picnic tables or drinking water. During peak summer months, popular areas like Sawyer Pond can fill completely, particularly on weekends, making early arrival essential for walk-in tent sites.
Tent-only camping experiences vary significantly with location and season. At Squam Lakes, one camper noted the sites are "simple but gorgeous" with some accessible only by boat or hiking trails. For backcountry tent camping, Sawyer Pond offers what reviewers describe as "a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids" with platforms large enough for two freestanding tents. The sites feature fire rings with available downed wood for responsible campfires. Fourth Iron Campground provides walk-in tent sites a quarter-mile from the parking area, with campers reporting the location is "secluded and beautiful" despite its proximity to Highway 302. Fall brings spectacular foliage views and fewer crowds at most primitive tent camping locations throughout the region.
"The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only."
"We really enjoyed our stay here - we prefer tent camping and like to be secluded; we are not into RV parks. This was fantastic. Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene."
from $50 - $110 / night
Check Availability"I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area. Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins."
"The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."
from $60 - $325 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $33 / night
Check Availability"You can reach the backcountry campsites via a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302, or in 4.5 miles from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off 112(the Kancamangus Highway)."
"Sawyer Pond was my introduction to backpacking more than 40 years ago."
"Note this is a back country shelter along the AT in New Hampshire so it is entirely hike in."
"Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed."
"I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
GuideAdorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.
LegendThere are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).
Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.
There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.
Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.
TravelerMy first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream. There was a microburst over the campground the night I was there but the water drained down into the stream so I was not sleeping in a puddle. My site was in the row closest to the road where there was truck noise for much of the night. I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible.
LegendI reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.
When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night.
I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it.
If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.
The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.
This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.
GuideCool location right on the edge of the Dry River Wilderness. Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area. Some spots are right on the highway with not much tree cover in between so can be loud. Some walk in sites with platforms are further from the road
Vid is from the river off the trail that starts in the campground
GuideWalk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.
LegendWe had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.
GuideStep walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences. A outhouse is located at this tent site as well as pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter. Great place to stay on the Pemi Loop. It is a carry in carry out campsite.
Traveleri stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.
This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.
campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.
Primitive tent camping remains popular near New Hampton, New Hampshire, with sites typically found between 600-2,500 feet elevation throughout the surrounding White Mountain region. Most backcountry areas follow Forest Service regulations requiring camping at least 200 feet from trails and water sources when outside designated sites. Seasonal considerations include mud season limitations from March through early May when many forest roads close, and potential fire restrictions during dry summer months.
Climb Mt. Cardigan: A challenging but manageable summit hike with fire tower views accessible from Cardigan Campsites. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! Or after! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" reports Madison G.
Ice fishing: Winter visitors can explore frozen ponds when properly equipped. "I've ice-fished on the pond. It's a nice snowshoe hike in winter," notes Jean C. about winter activities at Sawyer Pond.
Paddling: Canoe and kayak enthusiasts can access remote campsites and explore shorelines. At Squam Lakes Association, "excellent kayaking, quiet and serene" provides water-based recreation according to Jen S. Boat-in sites require water transport equipment.
Fly fishing: Several streams and rivers offer trout fishing opportunities through spring, summer and fall. Justin P. mentions, "I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area," when staying at Baker Rocks near fishing spots.
Secluded tent platforms: 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," according to Justin P., highlighting the amenities campers appreciate.
Night sky viewing: Star gazing opportunities abound away from light pollution. "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. They took my breath away!" shares Erin H. about Sawyer Pond.
Shelter options: Many sites offer both tent sites and shelters for flexible accommodations. "The shelter is a standard three-sided shelter. There were a host of large, flat tent sites around the shelter, and I tented in one of these," explains Justin P. about Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter.
Autumn foliage: Fall brings spectacular colors that attract campers. "Autumn colors across the pond are pretty," notes Jean C. about seasonal appeal at backcountry locations.
Water sources: Many backcountry sites lack reliable water access. "There is a water source in the area but it did not have water when I visited (probably on account of the drought)," cautions Justin P. about Trapper John Backcountry Campground.
Site availability: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly during peak periods. Hunter P. explains, "I visited this campsite on a Sunday night in September with my dog and it was lovely. I passed a few day hikers but was the only person camping, however I did speak to a family that was hiking down who said that the campground was completely full the night before (Saturday night)."
Firewood scarcity: At popular sites, gathering firewood can be difficult. "There was very little available firewood near the campsites," warns Hunter P. after camping at Sawyer Pond, while others note illegal tree cutting has damaged some areas.
Road access: Forest Service roads often close seasonally. "The trail head is located at the end of a 9 mile road and there are several spots for parking- note: there is no cell service once you get on this road," advises Hunter P. about access to the best tent camping near New Hampton.
Choose appropriate hikes: Select child-friendly trails for backcountry access. "This is a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids!" recommends Sarah C. about Sawyer Pond, adding "We went in from 112 and came out the shorter trail on our last morning."
Arrival timing: Plan to arrive early for walk-in sites, especially with children. "Due to the site's popularity, plan accordingly. Have a back-up plan for an alternate camping location. We witnessed several parties, many with young children, arriving late to find that all the sites were occupied," warns Sarah C.
Field camping: Some sites offer open spaces better suited for families. At Paugus Brook Farm, "The camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area," notes Justin P., making it easier for groups with children.
Wildlife precautions: Teach children proper food storage in bear country. "There is one bear hang located just in front of sites 3 and 4 that is large enough to accommodate food from multiple groups. You will need rope to hang your food, however a cable is provided," explains Sarah C.
Climbing-focused sites: RVers interested in rock climbing near New Hampton should consider specific campgrounds. "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one! Maintained by the American Alpine Club, pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers," mentions Les R. about AAC Rattlesnake Campground.
Glamping alternatives: When traditional RV spots are full, consider alternative accommodations. "Our family of 4 visited Baker Rocks during a very rainy week and still had an amazing time. We stayed 2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt both were spacious and wonderful, among tall trees and pines," shares April W., highlighting options beyond standard tent camping near New Hampton, New Hampshire.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Hampton, NH is Cardigan Campsites with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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