The White Mountains region around Pike, New Hampshire offers RV camping experiences within reach of natural attractions like Franconia Notch and the Kancamagus Highway. The area sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet, with surrounding peaks reaching over 4,000 feet. Camping options stretch across both New Hampshire and nearby Vermont, with most campgrounds closing after mid-October when temperatures regularly dip below freezing at night.
What to do
Riverfront fishing access: Country Bumpkins Campground provides tent and RV sites along the Pemigewasset River. A camper reported, "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. He was amazed and so proud to have hooked it himself." The river offers smallmouth bass and trout, especially during morning hours.
Train watching: At Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins, the tourist train from Clark's Trading Post passes hourly along the opposite riverbank. "On the hour, every hour, a tourist train comes through on the other side of the river whistling and firing some sort of prop gun maybe," notes one reviewer, creating an unexpected attraction for train enthusiasts.
Winter skiing: Cannon Mountain RV Park offers year-round camping with access to multiple winter sports. "Perfect for ski bums. Access to xcs, downhill, and snow machine trails," writes one camper. Cannon Mountain's 2,180-foot vertical drop provides skiing for all skill levels from November through April, weather permitting.
What campers like
Multi-generation family activities: Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground offers amenities for all ages. "Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks," one reviewer notes. Another family mentioned, "Dog friendly, mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids!"
Riverside tent sites: More secluded camping options exist at Country Bumpkins Campground. "The north section has tent sites tucked back in the shade along the river, a great option for hot summer days," writes one camper. These non-electric sites offer shade and natural cooling from the river during summer heat.
Spacious full-hookup sites: River Meadow Campground RV Park provides well-maintained sites for larger RVs. A visitor notes it has "Excellent services. On CT river w kayaks and canoes." These sites include water, electric, and sewer connections with most being pull-through for easier access.
What you should know
Limited winter camping options: While most campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend, Cannon Mountain RV Park remains open year-round. "From Columbus Day to mid May you may have a chance with walk-up. Be sure to check the entry station for any reservations so you don't have to move later when someone shows up to claim their spot. The rates drop after Columbus Day and the water is turned off," advises a camper.
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. At Newfound RV Park, "we were able to use our AT&T hotspot with decent service. That worked well enough for my needs, so I didn't test the onsite WiFi." Other campgrounds report stronger signals, with Sugar Ridge visitors noting "Decent cell phone signal (Verizon)."
Site layout considerations: Many campgrounds have specific site orientation that differs from maps. As one Sugar Ridge camper notes, "Site map is oriented upside down and would be helpful if corrected and updated. Our site looked angled on map so thinking it would be easier to approach from a certain direction to back in, drove in as I needed but found site was perpendicular to road."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: For families seeking water recreation, Silver Lake Park Campground offers lakefront access. "This is a very clean, quiet, gated campground, with easy beach access for the kids (and launching space for pontoon or bass boats). There is a playground, rentable kayaks and canoes, a basketball goal, frisbee golf, corn hole, horseshoes, yard darts etc," reports a visitor.
Pet restrictions: Silver Lakes Park Campground has a no-pets policy. "Pets are asked to stay home," notes a reviewer. Families with pets should consider alternative campgrounds like Sugar Ridge or Country Bumpkins which specifically welcome dogs.
Noise considerations: Proximity to other campers can affect family experiences. At Country Bumpkins, one camper shared, "Dogs and kids were EVERYWHERE and neither were well behaved. We heard lots of Massachusetts accents screaming to 'knock it off already!'" More private sites along the river typically offer better noise buffering.
Tips from RVers
Power requirements: RVers should verify electrical service matches their needs. As one Sugar Ridge camper discovered, "Family staying next to us found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord (which was free). Labeling individual site power on map would be helpful."
Winter preparations: For those using Cannon Mountain RV Park during colder months, water connections are unavailable after Columbus Day. One experienced RVer noted, "The rates drop after Columbus Day and the water is turned off." Winter campers need to arrive with full freshwater tanks and prepare for freezing temperatures.
Navigation challenges: When arriving at Country Bumpkins Campground, follow signage carefully. "The check-in was a MESS... We quickly realized that multiple people were checking in, we had blocked in someone, and more were starting to back up on the road and were honking," warns one RVer, suggesting midweek arrival when possible.
