16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Rochester, New Hampshire range from established campgrounds to more secluded backcountry options. Squam Lakes Association maintains several tent camping areas accessible by boat or hiking trails, while Browns Ridge Family Farm offers walk-in tent sites in a field setting with basic amenities. Lost Boys Hideout provides walk-in tent camping with drinking water, fires, and toilet facilities within driving distance of Rochester.
Tent camping areas in this region typically feature wooded sites with varying levels of privacy. Most tent-only sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities differ significantly between locations. At Squam Lakes Association, campers should prepare for primitive conditions with composting toilets but no drinking water or picnic tables. According to one visitor, "The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area." Reservations are essential during peak summer months, as the limited number of tent sites can fill quickly, especially on weekends.
The backcountry tent camping experience in the Rochester area offers a genuine connection with nature. Sites at Browns Ridge Family Farm provide a field camping experience with level ground and short walks from designated parking areas. A recent review noted that "the camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area." Many tent campgrounds maintain clean facilities despite their rustic nature. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring nearby hiking trails, lakes, and natural attractions. The White Mountains provide additional primitive tent camping opportunities for those willing to venture slightly farther from Rochester, with Camp Penacook Shelter offering a three-sided structure for hikers along the Piper Trail to Mount Chocorua.
"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
from $248 - $374 / night
Check Availability"The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. "
"We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."
"Location works well. Very narrow road coming in after 128. More for smaller RVs and tent camping. Picnic tables could be replaced."
"No wifi. There is a nice little store on-site for anything you forgot. It is also close enough to stores if you need more. Very close to a nice beach too."
from $36 - $44 / night
Check Availability"The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only."
"We really enjoyed our stay here - we prefer tent camping and like to be secluded; we are not into RV parks. This was fantastic. Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene."
from $50 - $110 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $149 / night
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TravelerNext to river and had a major flood this spring. I was tent camping on motorcycle and tent site are on dirt due to flood. Tent Site consists of picnic table. No water or sewer or electrical. $43 a night and bring quarters for shower. Clean restrooms and showers but I feel way over priced for what was offered. Should have looked for alternate.
LegendI stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River.
The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway).
The camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area.
The outhouse is brand new and super clean and right nearby, though there are no picnic tables and fires aren’t permitted due to area fire restrictions.
Communication with the host was fast and helpful.
LegendWhite Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park. Located a few miles south of the Kancamagus and Conway, you have ready access to the Carter Ledge trail up Mt Chocurua or shorter loop trails.
The sites are generally large and wooded. Designated tent sites are not suitable for RVs/trailers because the site may require a short walk or steps. Facilities include potable water and vault toilets. There are no hookups and no dump station. The lack of amenities contributes to the low fee of$20/night, though online reservation fees will add somewhat to that. If you want a shower, they are available at Jigger Johnson campground along the Kancamagus Hwy, about 20 minutes away.
If you head up on a holiday weekend, get an early start or be ready for traffic. The loop for sites 14-28 parallels NH16; you WILL hear and even see road traffic and Rte 16 is busy. Sites 2-5 are more open, larger, and suitable for RV or tent. Site 10 is a nicely wooded, level site for tent or RV. About half the sites are reservable. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
ScoutPrimitive large campsites, no hookups...no water, no cable, no electric. Clean bathrooms and pay showers. Been camping here for over 30 years..in a tent originally and now a 30 ft trailer..been to many campgrounds with lots of amenities and activities and our kids would rather be here than anywhere else. Now our children will bring their children here, it feels like our second home.
LegendMy first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.
The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake. Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers. There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.
GuideWe stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!
Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in.
Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well.
Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike.
Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well.
The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay. They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew.
It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well.
Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.
LegendSimple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only. There are some with tent platforms and all have fire rings (camping fee includes 1 bundle of firewood). There is a composting toilet in each camping area, but no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter.
We did not camp here, as we came across these campsites while hiking and canoeing with some friends who have a cabin in the area. The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area via the Squam Lakes Association.
The area offers water sports of all kinds, amazing views, spectacular hiking and backpacking in the White Mountains and some cute little villages along the local highways. Nearest town is Meredith, about 10 minutes away, and has all that you need for your camping trip.
TravelerThe aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station." The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other.
25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.
GuideA friend and I decided to camp here before a backpacking trip in the Whites, to cut down on morning-of driving time. Our site, #02 on Loop 2, was in very close proximity to all of the neighboring sites. We had children on several sides, and a rowdy group of adult men on another side. Quiet hours are supposed to start at 10:00pm, but our rowdy male neighbors were up, playing music, talking loudly, and singing, until midnight. Then, just when we thought they were ready to settle in, they turned on a headlamp aimed directly into our tent. We are both very experienced car campers and backcountry campers, but even we struggled to get any rest through all the noise and light. The staff drove by a few times in a golf cart but never stopped to encourage this group to quiet down or use a little etiquette/common sense with their headlamp use. It wouldn't have been so much of a problem if the sites weren't SO close to each other. I attached a photo to show just how closely all the sites are situated; that's my backpacking tent, for scale.
Tent camping options around Rochester, New Hampshire range from rustic walk-in sites to established campgrounds with amenities. The region sits between the White Mountains and the Maine coast, with elevations ranging from 200-800 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day with cooler nights in the 50-60°F range, making for comfortable sleeping conditions.
Kayaking at Squam Lake: Several campsites maintained by the Squam Lakes Association are accessible only by boat. According to a recent visitor, "Simple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only." Pack water or bring a filter as drinking water isn't available at sites.
Beach access from Gloucester: Camp at Cape Ann Camp Site for beach activities within walking distance. One camper shared, "Great beach access and friendly staff." Another mentioned, "Beach down the street was big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever."
Hiking near camp: Trails are abundant near many Rochester area campgrounds. A visitor to Lost Boys Hideout appreciated the "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" Many sites serve as excellent basecamps for day hikes.
Wooded privacy: Many campsites feature natural screening between sites. A Cape Ann Camp Site visitor noted, "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," while another mentioned, "The campsite we loved; it was clean & secluded enough but close enough to others to meet & greet if you wanted."
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain clean amenities. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, a camper reported, "The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice."
Wildlife viewing: Camping near Rochester offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. One camper at Cape Ann Camp Site mentioned, "Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc." Others report seeing small mammals and birds at various campgrounds in the region.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. At Squam Lakes Association, "The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area."
Varying amenities: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. Some have showers while others have only basic toilets. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "Campground is clean but very rustic. Facilities are on the old side." Another camper noted, "25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom."
Field camping options: Some sites offer more open camping experiences. At Browns Ridge Family Farm, the walk-in tent sites are situated in field settings with basic amenities and level ground, offering a different experience from densely wooded sites.
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds feature swimming or water features. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, a visitor mentioned, "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"
Onsite dining options: Some campgrounds offer food services that families appreciate. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, a camper shared, "One of the nice features was the on-site restaurant which claims to be famous for their 'blueberry pancakes' and also offers Belgian waffles, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs."
Structured activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. One camper noted, "Amenities include a heated pool, hot tub (adults only), basketball, volleyball, playground, and various activities like s'mores, crafts, ice cream socials and more. This campground is very kid-friendly."
Level sites: Many RVers mention the importance of level camping spots. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs."
Hookup availability: Check for the specific utilities you need. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi." This campground accommodates "All size RVs and tents are welcome."
Site spacing: The distance between RV sites varies significantly. While some campgrounds pack RVs closely, others offer more room. One camper at Cape Ann mentioned, "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them," though another noted, "The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rochester, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rochester, NH is Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Rochester, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Rochester, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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