White Mountain National Forest provides the backdrop for camping spots near Pike, New Hampshire, with elevations ranging from 600 to 3,000 feet throughout the region. Camping options span a 30-mile radius around Pike, encompassing both the forested highlands and river valleys of western New Hampshire. Winter temperatures can drop below zero while summer days average 70-80°F with cooler nights.
What to do
River activities: Lost River Valley Campground offers direct stream access where kids can enjoy shallow water play. "My family has stayed here twice. You can't really swim much in the river, but the kids had a blast playing in it and fishing for little trout," reports Michele S.
Winter camping: Hancock Campground remains accessible year-round for cold-weather enthusiasts. "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... Water would have earned it five stars," shares Heather B.
Hiking trail access: Multiple trail networks connect directly to campgrounds in the region. At Lafayette Place Campground, "The Lonesome Lake Trail runs right through the campground which is good news/bad news. Easy access to the trail but there are a number of sites that directly border the trail, which could impede privacy," notes Lee D.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide river or pond fishing access. "We stayed in a basic cabin. It was clean, but did smell very musty. It was still comfortable. The sites on the river look amazing," writes Rebecca L. about Lost River Valley.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resort receives consistent praise for site privacy and size. "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," explains Jessica W.
River proximity: Several campgrounds feature sites directly on waterways. "You cannot go wrong. Right on kangamangus highway basically in the mountains. Recommend the sites by the river!" says David M. about Lost River Valley Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Less-traveled campgrounds offer peaceful stays. At White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground, "While not too far off the road, it was very quiet. Sites were all cleaned, even though we arrived on Labor Day and it appeared most sites had just been vacated," reports Jamie D.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. "The bathrooms are always clean, the staff in the office and store has been friendly," notes Jennie C. about Lost River Valley Campground.
What you should know
Cellular connectivity: Most campgrounds have limited or no cell service. "There is no cell service on the south side of campground," reports Dawn D. about Lost River Valley. Similarly, at Moose Hillock, a camper notes "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted."
Site variability: Terrain and site layout differ significantly between and within campgrounds. At Russell Pond Campground, "Some sites are flat, others tiered and divided making your site not always a drive up," explains Monica S.
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. Lafayette Place Campground has "the noise from Highway 93 is intolerable! 18-wheelers blowing by at all hours of the day and night, making it very difficult to enjoy a restful sleep," warns Lee D.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities operate from mid-May through October with reduced services in shoulder seasons. However, as Heather B. notes about Hancock Campground, winter camping is possible at select locations with "nice looking tent only sites we plan to experience come springtime."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins offers water access for kids. "I stayed by the river and the brook, which was amazing. The campground was very clean and is very family friendly. There is a small arcade game room, WiFi at each site and an outdoor play area for kids," says Sawyer G.
Activities beyond hiking: River Meadow Campground provides water-based recreation. "It's right on the CT river and they have canoes to rent. My friend and I took my son fishing and we landed some nice size fish big enough it scared my 7 year old son and he made me real it in," shares Chris H.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playground facilities. At Country Bumpkins, "The playground is amazing," and at Moose Hillock, "There is a small arcade in the camp store with decent prices, poolside cafe (a little on the pricey side), big campground, playground, lots of nature & wildlife," notes Sara D.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to see local fauna. At Moose Hillock, families appreciate the "lots of nature & wildlife, good space in between campsites," which provides natural discovery opportunities for children.
Tips for RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring equipment for proper leveling. "It was slightly uphill, so we had to pull the RV all the way to the front of the site to be able to level," notes a Country Bumpkins camper.
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds have limitations on larger rigs. At Russell Pond, "The camp sites are first come first serve, including the best ones by the pond which are also walk-up only," notes Andrew M.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited at many locations. "Primarily for RVs. Combo of seasonal and transient. Excellent services. On CT river w kayaks and canoes," explains Terry C. about River Meadow Campground.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex layouts that can be difficult for larger vehicles. One camper at Country Bumpkins mentioned, "The check-in was a MESS... We had to detach the toad and back our RV up to get in a position to turn around. It was not fun."
