Best Campgrounds near North Sandwich, NH

The White Mountains region surrounding North Sandwich, New Hampshire features a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites within a short drive of Mount Chocorua and other hiking destinations. White Lake State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and glamping options with full amenities including showers and electric hookups, while smaller facilities like Waterville Campground provide more rustic accommodations in wooded settings. Several campgrounds in the area feature water access, with locations like Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort and Tamworth Camping Area positioned near lakes and rivers for recreational activities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter access due to weather conditions and facility closures. Advance reservations are recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. According to one visitor at Waterville Campground, "Sites are large with space in between. Located super close to Waterville valley ski area, hiking, golf, etc." Road conditions vary considerably, with some campgrounds accessible via paved highways while others require travel on forest service roads. Many facilities provide basic amenities like vault toilets and water pumps, though several larger campgrounds offer full-service hookups for RVs, hot showers, and dump stations.

Campers consistently mention water features as highlights of their experiences near North Sandwich. White Lake State Park Campground receives particular attention for its swimming opportunities. A camper noted: "There's a great beach with lots of room and a big sandy swimming area. You can rent canoes, hike around the lake, and the kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground." Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, with several review mentions of duck families and occasional bear sightings at more remote locations. Campgrounds near North Sandwich vary in their proximity to town amenities, with some offering on-site camp stores while others require bringing all necessary supplies. Sites range from heavily wooded with natural pine needle flooring to more open areas suitable for larger camping groups or RVs requiring increased clearance.

Best Camping Sites Near North Sandwich, New Hampshire (282)

    1. White Lake State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    West Ossipee, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 323-7350

    $35 - $105 / night

    "Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."

    "I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."

    2. Waterville Campground

    11 Reviews
    Waterville Valley, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $24 / night

    "Located super close to Waterville valley ski area, hiking, golf, etc."

    "A path leads straight down to the river, which we can hear running from the tents at night. The caretaker is one of the friendliest I’ve met, and he keeps the sites and bathrooms very clean."

    3. Hancock Campground

    28 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $30 / night

    "Luckily -- we were only about ten minutes from one of our favorite campgrounds in New Hampshire. Let me tell you why we like it so much."

    "This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."

    4. Jigger Johnson Campground

    11 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $24 / night

    "Located on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, Jigger Johnson is one of those great sites that has close proximity to plenty of hiking, exploring, swimming and isn't too far from the hustle and bustle"

    "earlier in the day, around 1 pm when new campers are welcomed."

    5. Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Freedom, NH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 539-2069

    $40 - $85 / night

    "This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake!"

    "We love the golf carts and sandy beaches as well as the proximity to North Conway and Lake Ossipee.  Staff are nice, quiet time is a bit over enforced."

    6. Covered Bridge

    13 Reviews
    Albany, NH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-2166

    $30 / night

    "He absolutely loved it and there was plenty of space in the tent site for him to roam around."

    "Our site was spacious and backed up to a little ravine so it was fairly private even though it was right next to the bathrooms (also convenient). We weren’t far from a hand pump water spigot, either."

    7. Chocorua KOA

    8 Reviews
    Chocorua, NH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 323-8536

    $45 - $110 / night

    "There were some rules in place in order to ensure social distancing and reduce risk to ourselves and to the staff."

    "They were wooded and in a central location close to the playgrounds, pavilion, beach and nature trails."

    8. Lost River Valley Campground

    32 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 745-8321

    $62 - $209 / night

    "The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"

    "Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."

    9. Passaconaway Campground

    9 Reviews
    Wonalancet, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $25 / night

    "The campground borders the Kancamangus Highway on one side, and the tranquil Swift River on the other."

    "I only gave the campground 4 stars because the campground is so close to the Kancamagus Highway that you can hear cars and bikes through most of the night."

    10. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    31 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Cool 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."

    "This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 282 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near North Sandwich, NH

1208 Reviews of 282 North Sandwich Campgrounds


  • Julie A.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp Resort, Lakes Region

    Downhill since new management

    Yogi’s Jellystone Park– Milton, New Hampshire: Seasonal Camper Review I have been camping at Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton for five years, including the last two as a seasonal camper. Unfortunately, my recent experiences under new management have been disappointing and frustrating. Pet Fence Policy and Safety Concerns
At the start of this season, the new general manager, Amanda, instructed me to remove my pet fence, citing liability issues. Despite my having signed a waiver absolving the park of responsibility for my dog’s actions, she insisted on its removal without providing a clear explanation. I complied reluctantly, only to observe many other campsites retaining similar pet fences throughout the season, including one seasonal camper who kept theirs up all season and transient sites with fences as well. This inconsistent enforcement of rules is unfair and undermines trust. After seeing others with pet fences, I reinstated mine to protect my dog, especially after two incidents where loose dogs entered my site and charged at my dog. Amanda then threatened me with non-renewal of my seasonal contract if I did not remove the fence again, forcing me to comply once more. I wrote to corporate regarding this issue since Amanda was of no help but never heard back from corporate. Loss of Seasonal Site and Corporate Decisions
Yogi’s removed nine seasonal sites this year, including mine, with little warning. This decision affects long-term campers, some with over 20 years of history at the park. It appears motivated by corporate interests, favoring transient sites or cabins, which generate more revenue. The loss of a seasonal site after investing time, effort, and money into making it beautiful is deeply disheartening and reflects poor management priorities. Entertainment and Atmosphere
Adult entertainment offerings have drastically declined. This year’s highlight was a 30-minute Saturday night hayride, with no live bands in the pavilion throughout the entire season. Under previous management, live music was a regular and enjoyable feature. The lack of engaging activities diminishes the overall campground experience. Myself and other campers offered suggestions to management regarding entertainment for adults but they didn't take any of our suggestions. Bear Interaction
Despite the park’s theme, sightings of Yogi Bear are rare. On one occasion, a golf cart carrying excited children stopped to see Yogi Bear, but the character ignored them and drove past without interaction, which was very disappointing. Management and Staff Attitude
Amanda, the general manager, presents as unapproachable and aloof. She did not introduce herself to seasonal campers at the beginning of the season, many of whom do not even know what she looks like and the camping season ends in just a couple of weeks. Most staff members also exhibit a snobbish attitude, often failing to acknowledge campers, which creates an unwelcoming environment. Cost and Recommendation
The campground is overpriced relative to the quality of experience and level of service provided. Given the inconsistent rule enforcement, loss of seasonal sites, diminished entertainment, and poor management attitude, I cannot recommend Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton NH Those interested in a Yogis campground should consider other locations.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Jefferson Campground

    Great Mountain Campground

    Nice campground in a beautiful location. This place is a bit off the beaten path of White Mountain tourist areas but is still within easy drive to all the major attractions. We picked this spot for that exact reason. Open field camping in the middle with wooded sites on the edges of the park. I originally chose a site that was a bit too small to properly unhook the trailer but staff helped me get a better location. Site 17 was too tight for 44 ft total length. Switched to site 5 pull through. Some sites face each other for camping with friends. Follow their map to pull in correctly. Staff is excellent and very helpful. Small store on site with necessities and fire wood. FYI Amenities: pool, playground, laundry (affordable) hot showers. Off season so the place was not busy, very quiet. This is on our short list for when we return next year.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Storrs Pond Recreation Area

    Okay

    Stayed here on a Sunday night in late September. It was very quiet and peaceful. Tent sites were hilly/uneven and extremely far from the toilets and bathhouse. Bathhouse is old and run down. The shower curtains were covered in mildew so we decided not to shower. We were just here overnight and did not make use of the other recreation facilities.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Few Solar/Starlink Options

    If all we needed was a campsite with no solar or starlink, this would be 5 star review. Lots of options, great hiking in the area. But if you need solar or starlink, there’s only 1 or 2 viable spots. We were lucky to snag on one a Monday afternoon (last site before turnaround on FR38) and stayed all week.

  • Joshua M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Dolly Copp Campground

    Calm and clean gem

    Went here in mid Fall of '25 and couldnt have been greated by nicer people, had a great private site with water and 30amp hookups. Very dog freindly, many hiking trails in the the area. Next to zero cell phone service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Meredith Woods Four Season Camping

    Now called HUNTERS RUN Rv Park

    Good spot, lots of seasonal campers, new corporate owners and it’s named Hunter’s Run RV Park. Combined with another campground across the street. Called for reservations and staff helpful once they answered. Store and office hours are erratic. FireWood supply “iffy” so brought some locally sourced food. Camped at Lakeside area.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Clearwater Campground

    Now Hunter’s Run RV Park

    This is now called Hunter’s Run. Many seasonal campsites more than half the campground. Good site spacing. Store only open limited hours and staff on site only limited hours. Probably due to new corporate owners. Very quiet off season and during the week. No wood available during our visit, 2 bundles locked in cage area but nobody around to purchase from. Bathhouses and showers very clean at lakeside section of campground. Nice clean beach area at the lake. Looks like kayak and canoe rentals. This is on south side of NH route 104 which is a busy road. Some road noise noticed from our location near the lake. Gravel/dirt sites with fire pits ( rocks ) and picnic table. Called office to arrange for site and they called back. Staff very helpful to find a good site and making reservations.

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?


Guide to North Sandwich

Camping sites near North Sandwich, New Hampshire range from lakeside facilities to mountain-adjacent forest campgrounds. Located in the foothills of the White Mountains at approximately 650 feet elevation, the area experiences warm summer days with cool evenings and frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Most campgrounds in the region maintain pine needle floors that naturally repel insects and provide soft tent platforms.

What to Do

Swimming and water recreation: White Lake State Park Campground offers clear water swimming with gradually sloping sandy bottoms. "The lake itself is unreal, with the mountains in the background it just feels incredibly peaceful and serene," notes Angela T., who visited in early season when it wasn't crowded.

Hiking nearby mountains: Waterville Campground provides direct access to several 4,000-foot peaks. As Michael L. mentions, there are "5 - 4000 foot mountains to hike" accessible from this location, making it an ideal base camp for serious hikers.

Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal facilities, certain campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. At Hancock Campground, Heather B. notes, "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites." Winter camping requires additional preparation but offers solitude rarely found during peak seasons.

What Campers Like

Secluded river access: Many campgrounds feature private paths to water. At Hancock Campground, Molly G. reports, "We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river. It was amazing. Only a pit toilet- but it's worth it for the beauty and seclusion."

Spacious campsites: Covered Bridge Campground receives consistent praise for site dimensions. According to Norma S., "This site was very large. With our 20 foot trailer we could still fit our Ford 150 and Subaru Forrester in front of it and still had room for another car."

Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings enhance camping experiences. Heather B. at Waterville Campground notes, "The caretaker is one of the friendliest I've met... It's early July and there's been hardly anyone staying here! Only downsides are it's a bit off the beaten path; there is some road noise; and the water is very brown/rusty."

What You Should Know

Bear safety requirements: Bears are active throughout the region. At Waterville Campground, Kitty reports a concerning encounter: "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. We scared the poop out of each other. Local police came and said they have been having problems with the bears."

Campsite availability patterns: First-come campgrounds fill predictably. J.W. advises at Passaconaway Campground: "Be sure to get there early in the day because it fills up quickly, we arrived at 1030 on a Saturday morning during the summer and found a spot but by noon they had put up the full sign out front."

Water quality variations: Water quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Covered Bridge Campground, Jae H. notes, "Water access is via a hand pump in the middle of the campground loop. No car access and can't hook up any hoses." Several campgrounds report iron-rich water that stains clothing.

Tips for Camping with Families

Child-friendly swimming areas: White Lake State Park Campground features graduated swimming depths. According to STephanie C., "This is a VERY LARGE campground, it will be a trek to get to the bathrooms or showers or swimming. You do NOT get to park at the lake if you are a camper. So that will be a long walk."

Noise consideration: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours. At White Lake State Park, Sable W. shares, "Quiet hours are supposed to start at 10:00pm, but our rowdy male neighbors were up, playing music, talking loudly, and singing, until midnight."

Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature internal road systems appropriate for children learning to ride. At Jigger Johnson Campground, Rita M. comments: "The road through the campground is paved and mostly flat, making it ideal for kids to ride their bikes."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Chocorua KOA requires careful planning for RVs at waterfront sites. According to Michael K., "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: Covered bridge access points limit larger rigs. Jae H. notes, "Covered bridge has 7.9' height restriction from the main scenic highway. We had to go out to Conway and drive back in."

RV site selection for privacy: At Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, Michael M. recommends specific locations: "Really liked this campground, large sites with full hookups. Beach and boat ramp with some cabins on the water. We stayed at site M-9 and M-10."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near North Sandwich, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, North Sandwich, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 282 campgrounds and RV parks near North Sandwich, NH and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near North Sandwich, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Sandwich, NH is White Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near North Sandwich, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near North Sandwich, NH.

What parks are near North Sandwich, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near North Sandwich, NH that allow camping, notably White Mountain National Forest and Union Village Dam.