The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near New London, NH

804 Reviews

Tent camping near New London, New Hampshire provides access to several established campgrounds nestled in the scenic forests and mountains of central New Hampshire. Sunapee State Park Campground, located in nearby Newbury, offers walk-in tent sites with seasonal availability from May 26 to October 8. Cardigan Campsites in Alexandria serves as a popular base camp for hikers tackling Mount Cardigan, with basic tent sites available. For those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences, the Appalachian Trail corridor features several primitive tent sites at locations like Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter and Velvet Rocks Shelter, both within reasonable driving distance from New London.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Drive-in tent sites typically offer fire rings and access to drinking water, while walk-in sites require carrying gear a short distance from parking areas. Backcountry tent sites along the Appalachian Trail are free but require permits and have limited or seasonal water sources. Composting toilets or privies are common at most locations, though shower facilities are rare outside of established campgrounds. Summer temperatures in the region typically range from 50-80°F, with cooler nights at higher elevations. Local fire regulations vary by location and seasonal conditions, with some sites prohibiting open fires during dry periods.

The tent camping experience near New London offers a mix of woodland seclusion and mountain views. Backcountry tent sites provide true wilderness immersion but require proper preparation. According to reviews, the tent sites at Baker Rocks feature "large tent platforms that could fit multiple tents" and are "within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded." Hikers camping along the Appalachian Trail should be prepared for variable conditions, as one camper noted that "the water source was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought." Primitive tent camping in this region requires proper food storage due to wildlife, with some backcountry sites providing bear boxes while others require hanging food or using bear canisters.

Map showing campgrounds near New London, New HampshireExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near New London, New Hampshire (31)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 31 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

New London Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near New London, NH

48 Photos of 31 New London Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near New London, NH

804 Reviews of 31 New London Campgrounds

  • Kathy S.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Pastures Campground The

    Riverside

    Adorable 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I 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.

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk 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.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    The White Mountains Stole My Heart!

    We 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.

  • d
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Osceola Vista Campground

    great for group camping

    i 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.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Baker Rocks

    Great location and amazing facilities

    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. I booked one of the tent platforms.

    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.

    The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight.

    The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water.

    Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery.

    Check-in was super easy with the camp hosts who were very flexible with timing and wanted to make sure I had a great stay. The property and individual sites are deliberately designed with guests in mind.

    I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area and might try some of the glamping options as well.

  • Emma N.
    May. 24, 2018

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Secluded Sites

    The night before hiking Mount Monadnock, my husband and I camped here. Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike. The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring. We drove by a shower facility and a building with restrooms. The restrooms were still locked for the winter, so there were a few port-a-potties right outside- these were absolutely disgusting. It looked as though they had not been cleaned out all winter. Otherwise, the campground seemed nice! Just don’t forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Paugus Brook Farm

    Great field camping at a great location

    I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River.

    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).

    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.

    The outhouse is brand new and super clean and right nearby, though there are no picnic tables and fires aren’t permitted due to area fire restrictions.

    Communication with the host was fast and helpful.

Guide to New London

Tent camping near New London, New Hampshire, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, from scenic views to unique amenities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several options to explore.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy a night under the stars at the Lost Boys Hideout, where you can relax by the fire and take in the natural surroundings.
  • Spend the night at Cardigan Campsites before tackling the challenging climb up Mt. Cardigan, which rewards hikers with stunning views from the fire tower.
  • Experience the Appalachian Trail at the Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter, perfect for those looking to hike and camp in a serene environment.

Tent campers should check out the amenities

  • The Sweetwater campground features showers, drinking water, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • At Elm Brook Park Rec Area, you can enjoy a drive-in camping experience, although it lacks some amenities like showers and picnic tables.
  • The Velvet Rocks Shelter offers a basic shelter experience with a privy, ideal for those looking for a rustic camping adventure.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $50

  • Camping at the Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter is free, making it a budget-friendly option for hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
  • The Cardigan Campsites provides a well-reviewed experience for a nominal fee, perfect for those planning a climbing adventure.
  • For a more luxurious experience, consider the Lost Boys Hideout, where amenities come at a higher price but offer a unique glamping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New London, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New London, NH is Cardigan Campsites with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New London, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near New London, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring