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Best Tent Camping near Orange, NH

1,032 Reviews

Primitive tent camping opportunities near Orange, New Hampshire include several established backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail. Cardigan Campsites offers tent-only accommodations in the Alexandria area, while Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter provides hike-in tent camping along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail approximately 10 miles from Orange. Baker Rocks and Cardigan Skyline Camps also maintain designated tent sites within the surrounding White Mountain region, with varying levels of amenities and accessibility.

Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities with limited services. Tent platforms are common at established sites like Trapper John Backcountry Campground, providing level surfaces for camping on otherwise uneven terrain. Water sources are typically seasonal and unreliable, requiring filtration or treatment before consumption. "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought," noted one camper about Velvet Rocks Shelter. Composting toilets or privies are available at most established sites, though campers should bring their own toilet paper. Bear boxes are provided at some locations, but many require visitors to hang food using their own rope systems. Fires are prohibited at several backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail, though permitted at other designated tent camping areas.

The tent camping experience in this region offers genuine wilderness immersion with varying degrees of solitude. Sites along the Appalachian Trail provide strategic overnight options for section hikers and backpackers. A review mentioned that "the shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner." Many tent sites feature flat, spacious areas that can accommodate multiple tents, though availability operates on a first-come basis. During peak hiking seasons, popular shelters and tent platforms fill quickly. The surrounding forest provides natural shade at most locations, while some higher-elevation sites offer partial views of the surrounding mountains. Winter camping is possible at some year-round sites, though access becomes significantly more challenging with snow cover.

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Best Tent Sites Near Orange, New Hampshire (44)

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Showing results 1-10 of 44 campgrounds

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Orange, NH

81 Photos of 44 Orange Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Orange, NH

1032 Reviews of 44 Orange 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.

  • J
    Sep. 4, 2022

    Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    Beautiful spot, but noisy

    My 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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2024

    Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    Nice place

    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. Some walk in sites with platforms are further from the road

    Vid is from the river off the trail that starts in the campground

  • 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.

  • L
    May. 30, 2019

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Amazing Views

    Step 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.

  • 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.

Guide to Orange

Tent camping near Orange, New Hampshire offers a blend of natural beauty and a variety of amenities, making it an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for tent camping near Orange

  • Make sure to bring bug spray, as some areas can have aggressive mosquitoes, especially during certain times of the day.
  • Consider booking a site at Baker Rocks, where you can enjoy spacious and private campsites surrounded by tall trees.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, try the glamping options available at Baker Rocks, which feature comfortable accommodations like yurts and bell tents.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • Enjoy fishing and hiking in the area around Cardigan Campsites, which is a great spot for climbing Mt. Cardigan.
  • Explore the beautiful trails and serene kayaking opportunities at Squam Lakes Association, perfect for those who appreciate nature.
  • For rock climbing enthusiasts, AAC Rattlesnake Campground is conveniently located near Rumney climbing areas, making it an ideal base for your adventures.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Baker Rocks features a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • At Squam Lakes Association, you'll find well-maintained campsites with fire rings, perfect for evening campfires.
  • Cardigan Campsites offers friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing your camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Orange, NH?

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Orange, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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