The Dorchester area sits at approximately 800-1,000 feet elevation in New Hampshire's White Mountains region, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with cooler nights. The region's hilly terrain creates numerous small waterways that flow through many camping spots near Dorchester, New Hampshire.
What to do
Hiking access: Cardigan Campsites provides direct access to Mount Cardigan trails. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" notes Madison G.
Swimming holes: The Baker River offers natural swimming areas during summer months. "The campground was nice. The site we had was an open grassy area though we tucked the tent off to the side. On the other side of the roped banking was a beautiful view of the river. There is also a beach with great fishing!" reports Lexi R. about Baker River Campground.
River tubing: Several campgrounds offer river access for tubing adventures. "My favorite activity was putting in a couple miles up river and floating back to camp over the course of a few hours, ultimate lazy river," shares Eddy B. about Plymouth Sands Camping Area.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resort receives praise for spacious campsites. "It is absolutely GORGEOUS up here. Stunning. The sites are private and wooded, the grounds are beautiful, the natural pond is a great morning excursion. It's one of the prettiest campgrounds I've ever seen," writes Jessica W.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "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," Justin P. shares about Baker Rocks.
Brook and river frontage: Water access remains a top attraction. "Nice sites on the river with a cozy beach. Limited amenities, but both were in excellent condition," notes Michael W. about his Baker River Campground experience.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "No cell service on the south side of campground," reports Dawn D. about Lost River Valley Campground. Similarly, Jessica D. notes about Moose Hillock: "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted."
Site size variations: Some campsites have space limitations. "Sites are ok - nothing that I would say was amazing. All are spacious and generally shaded and flat. You can see all your neighbors but noise level wasn't terrible," observes Lauren Q.
Weather considerations: Spring runoff can affect river levels, and seasonal changes impact facility availability. "We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids," reports Jeremiah C. about Plymouth Sands.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Family friendly campground. Short drive to see wildlife from the road," shares Matt D. about Moose Hillock Camping Resort.
River safety: Monitor water levels for safe swimming conditions. "The river is about thigh deep and you can easily walk in it/swim at portions," notes Brandon C. about Pine Haven.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer organized recreation. "Plenty to do with the kids. They love the ship wreck pool! A bit tough on the noise rules. No internet connectivity!!" reports Rick C. about Moose Hillock's amenities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Various campgrounds offer different levels of RV service. "Water+electric only. $25 per night. Good cell reception with Verizon and AT&T. Campground Wifi is workable. Dump station is located smartly away from most campsites, but on site," notes Mara S. about Branch Brook Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. "The campground is very hilly and kids are ripping around in pedal and motorized bikes and scooters which is fine but no control at all in regards to speed and helmets," warns Lauren Q.
Winter considerations: Few campgrounds remain open year-round, and winter camping requires preparation. "I feel that the owners/managers are very neglectful. They do a bad job plowing (my rig bottomed out twice on snow banks) and I fishtailed on the access road," Mara S. cautions about Branch Brook's winter conditions.
