Best Tent Camping near Sunapee, NH
State parks and national forest lands surrounding Sunapee, New Hampshire provide diverse tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Sunapee State Park Campground, located at 86 Beach Access Road in Newbury, offers tent-only camping from May 26 to October 8 with walk-in tent sites available. Cardigan Campsites in Alexandria, approximately 25 miles north of Sunapee, provides primitive tent camping with basic amenities. For backcountry tent camping experiences, several Appalachian Trail shelters including Velvet Rocks and Moose Mountain offer hike-in tent sites within a 30-mile radius of Sunapee.
Tent campsites in the Sunapee region vary significantly in surface conditions and amenities. Most walk-in tent sites feature natural dirt or forest duff surfaces with minimal grading. Backcountry tent camping areas along the Appalachian Trail typically include basic privies but unreliable water sources, as noted in multiple visitor reports of dry springs during summer months. Campers should bring water filters or carry sufficient water supplies. Fire regulations vary by location, with established campgrounds providing fire rings while some backcountry areas restrict fires during dry periods. Tent platforms are available at select locations, including Baker Rocks where large wooden platforms accommodate multiple tents.
In early summer, tent campers find more solitude at backcountry sites while established campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. According to reviews, tent sites at Baker Rocks "felt very secluded" despite being within a developed campground. The tent camping areas around AT shelters offer varying experiences, with one visitor noting that Moose Mountain shelter had "a host of large, flat tent sites" surrounding the main structure. Squam Lakes Association maintains boat-in and hike-in tent sites that one camper described as "simple but gorgeous," with tent platforms and fire rings included in the camping fee. Water access varies significantly between locations, with many backcountry tent sites requiring campers to locate seasonal springs or carry water from distant sources.