Best Tent Camping near Randolph, NH
Tent campsites in the White Mountains region surrounding Randolph, New Hampshire range from established platforms to dispersed wilderness spots. The area features several backcountry tent options including Nauman Tentsite on the Appalachian Trail, Valley Way Tentsite with raised dirt pads, and Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed camping in the White Mountain National Forest. These primitive tent areas offer hikers and outdoor enthusiasts various levels of accessibility, from hike-in only to more accessible drive-in options.
Most tent campgrounds near Randolph require campers to pack in all necessary supplies, as amenities are typically minimal. Sites like Imp Shelter and Nauman Tentsite provide composting toilets and sometimes bear boxes for food storage, but no running water or showers. Valley Way Tentsite features a composting toilet in a shed with a clear roof for natural lighting and raised dirt tent pads with fire rings. Water sources at many sites are natural springs or streams that require filtration or treatment before consumption. Campers should note that several areas prohibit fires, particularly during dry seasons, and all operate on a carry-in, carry-out waste policy.
Tent-only sites in this region provide exceptional access to notable hiking trails and mountain views. Areas like Guyot Shelter offer both shelter and tent platform options for backpackers traversing the Pemi Loop trail system. The Blue Brook Tent Site provides more secluded camping with tent sites featuring cribbing and a nearby waterfall for cooling off. Higher elevation sites typically open later in the season as snow melts, usually becoming accessible by June. One camper observed that "there are several tent platforms, nicely spaced through the woods" at Imp Shelter, making it "a beautiful camping area tucked in the trees" below Mount Pierce and other prominent White Mountain peaks.