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Tent Camping near Pike, NH

61 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Tent camping near Pike, New Hampshire ranges from backcountry tent campsites deep in the mountains to more developed sites with tent platforms in wooded areas. Hikers can access primitive tent setups at Guyot Shelter, a dispersed camping area accessible via hike-in trails, while Baker Rocks offers more developed tent campsites with platforms situated in wooded areas. Both locations provide different experiences for tent campers seeking to explore the mountainous terrain of the region.

    Most primitive tent campgrounds in the Pike area require significant preparation. Backcountry sites like Kinsman Pond Shelter demand hikers carry all necessary gear over challenging terrain, with one camper noting that "the hike in isn't easy especially considering you'll need to carry all your gear in to stay." Sites typically feature basic amenities—composting toilets at some locations, while others offer nothing beyond flat ground for pitching tents. Water availability varies seasonally, with some locations requiring filtering from natural sources. Fire restrictions are common at higher elevations, where many backcountry tent sites prohibit open flames entirely.

    The tent camping experience in this region delivers exceptional isolation and natural beauty. Forest settings dominate most tent campsites, providing shade during summer months but requiring careful site selection. According to one visitor, tent platforms at Guyot Shelter are "dispersed and some with great views," making them popular despite their remote location. Many walk-in tent sites serve as strategic basecamps for hikers tackling sections of the Appalachian Trail or the Presidential Range. During peak summer weekends, popular backcountry tent areas fill quickly, particularly at Liberty Springs Tentsite which "gets packed on weekends." The reward for this effort comes in the form of star-filled skies and complete disconnection from urban environments, with several primitive tent camping areas offering exceptional summit access for sunrise views.

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    Best Tent Campgrounds near Pike (61)

      1. Dugout Hideaway @ Granny Clark Brook

      5.0(1)5mi from Pike3 sitesTents

      "We're so happy to welcome this property to our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"

      from $85 - $125 / night

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      2. Kinsman Pond Shelter

      5.0(1)16mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      "The hike in isnt easy especially considering you'll need to carry all your gear in to stay. Amazing stay, no signs of society (airplanes/cars/phone service)."

      from $15 / night

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      3. Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

      4.8(9)25mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      "Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences."

      "Bear box, food area, water source, cabin, Privy, and platforms."

      from $15 / night

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      4. Baker Rocks

      5.0(2)19mi from Pike8 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area. Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins."

      "The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."

      from $60 - $325 / night

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      5. AAC Rattlesnake Campground

      5.0(1)18mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      from $12 - $33 / night

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      6. Liberty Springs Tentsite

      5.0(1)19mi from PikeTents

      "Located just off of Franconia Ridge, a great basecamp for anyone doing the ridge or a pemi loop There's a spring for water (still should probably filter it), composting outhouses."

      from $15 / night

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      7. Trapper John Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      4.0(1)18mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      "Note this is a back country shelter along the AT in New Hampshire so it is entirely hike in."

      8. Garfield Ridge Campsite and Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      4.7(3)23mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      "Water is pump-able at the intersection to the tent-sites. A outhouse is located near the shelter and platforms. A cooking area is provided."

      "Big group size platform as well smaller platform, cooking and dining area, pivy, Joe boxes for bear protection and pivy plus ice cold spring water and sunrise view point"

      from $15 / night

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      9. Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      4.0(1)22mi from PikeTents, Cabins

      "Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed."

      10. Cookville Campground

      Be the first to review14mi from PikeTents, Cabins, Glamping

      from $45 / night

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    Tent Camping Reviews near Pike, NH

    1180 Reviews of 61 Pike Campgrounds


    • Sarah C.
      Jul. 5, 2020

      White Birches Camping Park

      A little something for everyone

      This Camping Park has something for just about everyone. Whether you have an RV (small, medium or large), tent, are looking for a cabin or want a little more of a wilderness feel, this place has something to offer. 

      While the campground looks to be primarily RV camping from the road, there are many tent sites tucked away in the trees and even two sites that are walk-in only and are situated right on the Androscoggin River. Additionally, the campground has several nice cabins available as well.

      Let's start with the RV sites: there are a bunch! This campground also hosts many seasonal campers who have sites situated around the perimeter of both sides of the campground (split by Route 2). Seasonal campers have some pretty sweet set-ups for sure. The only downside to some of the RV spots is that they can be in the sun almost all day which can be a bit much in the heart of the summer. Otherwise, sites are well maintained and have all the normal hookups for RVs.

      Tent sites are well spaced and almost all of them are in the shade which is a huge bonus! Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and nice level spot to pitch your tent. Bath houses are conveniently located throughout the campground and are well maintained. 

      The two walk-in tent sites are very secluded and offer fire rings, picnic tables, a bear box and one of the two sites has a wooden tent platform. The second site's tent platform is currently being built (July 2020) and should be at the site and ready for use soon. These sites sit right on the beautiful Androscoggin River, offering a serene backdrop for your camping adventure.

      The campground is situated in-between two large tracts of the White Mountain National Forest. Great hiking is available at the campground as well as a short drive away. If hiking is a hobby of yours, look no further! This is a great location to base yourself out of to get some solid miles under your belt. There is a campground office that has a small store as well as laundry facilities. They also offer an AT Hiker Hostel. They also have a nice heated swimming pool, playground and many other amenities. When there isn't a global health pandemic, they have a bouncy house for the kids. They often show movies on the lawn when the weather cooperates. They also rent kayaks and you can launch from the campground or they will shuttle you some place near by.

      It really is a campground with a little bit of everything! Owned by locals of the community who have run the place for over 25 years.

    • 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.

    • Natali S.
      Nov. 23, 2023

      Private Field and Woods Camping

      The best holiday for the whole family

      Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is a true paradise for lovers of nature and secluded recreation. After spending several days here, I was delighted with the beauty of nature and the comfort that this unique camp offers. The first thing that catches your eye is the amazing landscape.

      Situated deep in the forests, the camp is surrounded by spacious fields and wild nature. Sunrises and sunsets at this place are a real miracle that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the moment. The camp itself provides unique opportunities for close contact with nature.

      The opportunity to locate your tent camp in a private field surrounded by forest creates a unique atmosphere of comfort and privacy. The absence of city noise and light pollution allows you to enjoy the silence and sounds of nature. The camp infrastructure also deserves the highest praise. Ecologically built showers and toilets provide everything you need for a comfortable stay away from civilization. Fire pits and cooking areas allow you to enjoy delicious meals cooked outdoors.

      Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is the perfect place for those who want a real getaway in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. I left this place with a feeling of complete relaxation and deep gratitude to the team who created this unique corner of nature.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Sarah C.
      Jul. 31, 2017

      Dolly Copp Campground

      Just on the edge of town

      This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel. While this is a relatively large campground, a significant portion of it is under construction currently (Summer 2017).

      There are several loops of sites here but each site is spacious and wooded, with lot's of shade. There are flush toilets (no showers) and water spigots throughout the campground. Some sites do experience a bit of foot traffic if they are on the way to one of the restrooms.

      There is a small welcome/registration building where you stop to register on your way in. Be careful driving through the campground, the roads are in rough shape due to the construction.

      Sites have very clean fire pits, picnic tables and plenty of space for pitching a tent or two. There are several sites here that cater more to RVs but many of the sites are very tent friendly (soft, non-gravel real estate). Sites are $22/night and $5 for each additional vehicle.

      This is a popular spot with lot's of amazing hiking in the vicinity so reserve early!

    • 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.


    Guide to Pike

    Backcountry campsites in the White Mountain National Forest near Pike, New Hampshire range from 1,000 to over 4,300 feet in elevation. Most tent camping options require significant hiking over rocky terrain with elevation gains of 1,500-3,000 feet. Water availability depends on spring locations, with many backcountry sites offering seasonal sources that require proper filtration equipment.

    What to do

    Sunrise hiking from camp: Liberty Springs Tentsite serves as an excellent basecamp for sunrise expeditions along Franconia Ridge. "Located just off of Franconia Ridge, a great basecamp for anyone doing the ridge or a pemi loop," notes one camper at Liberty Springs Tentsite.

    Tackle multiple peaks: The strategic location of several backcountry sites facilitates multi-summit days. A visitor to Garfield Ridge Campsite and Shelter shared, "Spent a great night here after hiking up from Lincoln Woods. This is a busy hub on AT."

    Fish the Baker River: For less strenuous activities, some established campgrounds offer direct water access. "Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing," reports a camper about their experience at Baker Rocks.

    What campers like

    Private tent platforms: Many backcountry sites offer secluded camping spots with natural spacing. At Guyot Shelter, "Some are very isolated and some with great views. Privy is a bit of a walk. And the eating area is very small. X3 bear boxes."

    Well-maintained facilities: Despite remote locations, many sites feature clean composting toilets and reliable water sources. A hiker at Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter noted, "The privvy was also new and very spacious," adding that the shelter "did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view."

    Evening views: Strategic locations provide memorable sunset viewing opportunities. "We got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset," reports a visitor to Guyot Shelter.

    What you should know

    Tent compatibility: Many backcountry sites require freestanding tents for wooden platforms. At Liberty Springs Tentsite, "Tent sites are platforms, so make sure to have a free standing tent. There are a couple 'overflow' spots the caretaker may let you stay in if you can't use a platform."

    Seasonal water challenges: Water availability varies throughout the year, with many sites requiring filtering. At Trapper John Backcountry Campground, one camper reported, "There is a water source in the area but it did not have water when I visited (probably on account of the drought)."

    Camping fees: Many backcountry sites charge modest fees. "Small fee of $10 to stay, caretakers are awesome and knowledgeable!" reports a Guyot Shelter camper.

    Tips for camping with families

    Start with established campgrounds: For families seeking the best tent camping near Pike, New Hampshire without difficult hikes, drive-in options offer better accessibility. At Baker Rocks, "The campsites are private and spacious, the property is large and beautiful, close to the river. The owners are so kind and accommodating."

    Consider glamping options: Some sites offer more comfortable accommodations for families with young children. "Our family of 4 visited Baker Rocks during a very rainy week and still had an amazing time. We stayed 2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt."

    Prepare for insects: Even at developed sites, bugs can be challenging. "Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected," advises a family who camped at Baker Rocks.

    Tips from RVers

    Focus on tent camping: The Pike area primarily accommodates tent camping, with limited RV options. Most sites near Pike are either hike-in or tent-only facilities like AAC Rattlesnake Campground, where a visitor noted, "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one!"

    Check road conditions: Access roads to more remote tent sites can be challenging, requiring high-clearance vehicles. Garfield Ridge Campsite features a "Pretty steep ascend to get in. Water source is 0.1 from campsite," according to a recent visitor.

    Consider nearby towns: With limited RV accommodations directly in Pike, nearby towns offer better options for larger vehicles while maintaining access to hiking trails.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pike, NH is Dugout Hideaway @ Granny Clark Brook with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 61 tent camping locations near Pike, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.