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Best Tent Camping near Rochester, NH

827 Reviews

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.

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Best Tent Sites Near Rochester, New Hampshire (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rochester, NH

24 Photos of 17 Rochester Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rochester, NH

827 Reviews of 17 Rochester Campgrounds

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Beach Camping Area

    Motorcycle camping

    Next 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.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Paugus Brook Farm

    Great field camping at a great location

    I 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2020

    White Ledge Campground

    Rustic with road noise, but great location for hiking, climbing, exploring

    White 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.

  • Heather P.
    Jul. 2, 2018

    White Lake State Park Campground

    Pristine clear lake with view of white mountains

    Primitive 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.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

    My 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.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We 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.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2018

    Squam Lakes Association

    Boat in & Hike In Camping Along Squam Lake

    Simple, 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.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The 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.

  • Sable W.
    Jun. 19, 2018

    White Lake State Park Campground

    Your experience will depend heavily on your neighbors!

    A 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.

Guide to Rochester

Tent camping near Rochester, New Hampshire offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature retreats to family-friendly resorts. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, there's a spot for you.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Some prices for tent camping range from $30 to $50

  • Camping at Viewland Campground may be on the lower end of the price spectrum, but it has a unique charm with its permanent camper community.
  • Crown Point Campground offers a range of amenities, making it a well-reviewed choice for families looking for comfort while camping.
  • For a more rustic experience, Browns Ridge Family Farm provides a simple yet enjoyable camping atmosphere.

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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.

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TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Rochester, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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