P
Patrick
Traveler
TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Best Campgrounds in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's state parks and forests host a range of campground options from primitive tent sites to full-service RV areas with hookups and amenities. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in Nottingham accommodates tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping with various access points including boat-in and hike-in sites. The White Mountains region contains several highly-rated mixed-use campgrounds like Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch State Park, which primarily serves tent and RV campers. Smaller campgrounds like Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park offer a more secluded camping experience while still providing essential amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water.
Most New Hampshire campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with a few locations extending into early November. Bear Brook State Park Campground in Deerfield remains open from early May to late October, while Hancock Campground is one of the few year-round options in the state. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during the peak summer months of July and August. Many campgrounds feature both reservable and first-come sites, with the majority of waterfront locations filling quickly. Winter camping requires additional preparation due to limited services and potential snow accumulation. One camper noted, "The electric and water sites we stayed at was just dirt, no grass anywhere. The full hookups looked better from what I saw."
Waterfront camping locations consistently receive positive feedback from visitors, with sites along lakes and rivers being particularly sought after. White Lake State Park Campground in Tamworth provides lake access with amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables. Several campgrounds offer family-friendly environments with activities like swimming and hiking nearby. A recent review highlighted that "The riverfront sights looked absolutely beautiful and some had better/easier access to the water than others." Campgrounds with full hookups tend to attract longer-stay visitors, while primitive sites appeal to those seeking a more traditional outdoor experience. Moose Brook State Park near Gorham maintains high ratings for its combination of natural setting and convenient facilities. Seasonal campers often recommend booking well in advance for prime locations, particularly at popular destinations like Pawtuckaway and Franconia Notch.
Best Campgrounds in New Hampshire (309)
1. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground
46 ReviewsRaymond, NHWebsite+1 (603) 895-3031$35 - $140 / night
"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."
"Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."
2. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park
36 ReviewsLincoln, NHWebsite+1 (603) 823-9513$35 / night
"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."
"The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning."
3. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park
32 ReviewsBartlett, NHWebsite+1 (603) 374-2272$35 - $40 / night
"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."
"This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"
4. Lost River Valley Campground
34 ReviewsNorth Woodstock, NHWebsite+1 (603) 745-8321$62 - $209 / night
"The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"
"Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."
5. Moose Brook State Park Campground
31 ReviewsGorham, NHWebsite+1 (603) 466-3860$35 - $45 / night
"This state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."
"This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."
6. Bear Brook State Park Campground
29 ReviewsCandia, NHWebsite+1 (603) 485-9869$35 - $45 / night
"Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."
"Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."
7. Hancock Campground
28 ReviewsLincoln, NHWebsite+1 (603) 536-6100$30 / night
"This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."
"Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."
8. Town Hall Road Dispersed
24 ReviewsChatham, NH"Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "
"There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part."
9. White Lake State Park Campground
25 ReviewsWest Ossipee, NHWebsite+1 (603) 323-7350$35 - $105 / night
"Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."
"I’ve stayed here a few times and love the location and access to White Lake."
10. Crawford Notch Campground
26 ReviewsBartlett, NHWebsite+1 (603) 374-2272$25 / night
"Our site was big and walking around the grounds the other sites appeared to all be pretty good sized as well. They are not lying when they call their sites secluded either!"
"Cabins and RV sites with hookups are closer yo the entrance, store and road. That latter feature is a bit if a bummer bc the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."
Recent Camping Photos in New Hampshire
908 Photos of 309 New Hampshire Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews in New Hampshire
1498 Reviews of 309 New Hampshire Campgrounds
Rebecca W.
ScoutBearcamp River Campground
Bearcamp River Campground
Bear camp River campground is a great place to camp for a weekend or be a seasonal. You can walk 6/10 of a mile to the covered bridge nearby and float right down to the beach at the campground or you can start on one side of the campground and float to the other via river for a good 30 minute float!! You get to Camp right on the Riverside. Owners (Mike and Tabby ) are great. Good place for the kids to run around and explore. The Camp store has sweatshirts and sweatpants , candy and snacks ,s’mores kits, and much much more. They also sell wood and ice on site. There is also hot showers for free, and bathrooms. Two thumbs up from this happy camper.
Nancy W.
LegendSeacoast Camping and RV Resort
Nice Campground, Love the area!
This is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
Devon B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Play Games
The recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
- KKurt B.Scout
Hampton Beach State Park Campground
Oceanfront camping at its best—full hookups just steps from the beach. Located in popular Hampton Beach, you'll be close to nightly bandshell concerts and vibrant nightlife. There is a lottery system in place for stays during the summer.
Riley B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spend A Few Days
We came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
- RRachel J.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
A Longer Stay
We have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
Myles T.TravelerSpacious Skies French Pond
Gorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
- Myles T.Traveler
Camp Brackett
Nice and peaceful spot with a trail that leads to a brook in the woods! Beautiful fall leaves throughout property
Guide to New Hampshire
Camping in New Hampshire offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, there's something for everyone.
What to do
- Hiking: Explore the trails at Gunstock Campground, where one reviewer said, “Got to walk to hike Gunstock.”
- Water Activities: At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, visitors enjoy “lots of lovely waterfront sites” perfect for kayaking.
- Family Fun: Families can enjoy the mountain coaster and ziplines at Gunstock Campground, where one camper noted, “The mountain coaster and chairlift were great for the little ones.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Dry River — Crawford Notch State Park, with one review stating, “Very nice and clean campground.”
- Secluded Spots: Many enjoy the privacy at Tripoli Road, where a visitor mentioned, “Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river.”
- Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of staff, as noted at Waterville Campground, where one reviewer said, “The gentlemen working is very nice... you can tell he cares about the place.”
What you should know
- Bear Country: Some campgrounds, like Waterville Campground, are in bear territory. One camper warned, “It’s bear country so plan accordingly.”
- Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Hancock Campground have basic facilities. A visitor noted, “There was no running water at any of the pumps and the pit toilets were quite full.”
- Noise Levels: Some sites, such as those at Big Rock, are near busy roads. A camper mentioned, “The highway is very close and therefore very loud, but it quiets down at night.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Gunstock Campground, which has “lots of land to walk the dogs” and a nice pool.
- Plan for Quiet Hours: At Waterville Campground, quiet hours are strictly enforced. One camper said, “You also have to whisper if you want to stay up and hang out around the campfire.”
- Bring Activities: Keep kids entertained with games or crafts, especially at campgrounds like Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, where there are “lots of great spots on the water.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: RVers should confirm site sizes at places like Gunstock Campground, which is “big rig friendly.”
- Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds, including Waterville Campground, do not offer electric hookups. One reviewer noted, “No electric hookups.”
- Arrive Early: Popular spots like Tripoli Road can fill up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early, especially on weekends. A camper advised, “Be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout.”
Camping in New Hampshire is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in New Hampshire for families?
What are the best campgrounds in New Hampshire for families?
New Hampshire offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds with amenities that keep children entertained. Bear Brook State Park Campground stands out as the state's largest park with family-friendly facilities including play structures, a camp store, swimming beach, and even a baseball diamond. Families will appreciate the numerous trails and ponds to explore. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages is another excellent option, offering beautiful lakeside views and a well-maintained family atmosphere. The small, family-owned operation provides a peaceful setting where kids can enjoy water activities and parents can relax with scenic vistas. Both campgrounds provide the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and necessary amenities that make camping with children manageable and fun.
Where are the most scenic camping sites in New Hampshire state parks?
Where are the most scenic camping sites in New Hampshire state parks?
New Hampshire's state parks offer breathtaking scenic camping with natural beauty at every turn. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park provides spectacular mountain views and streamside sites in one of the state's most picturesque regions. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the dramatic scenery of Franconia Notch. Jigger Johnson Campground along the scenic Kancamagus Highway offers another stunning option with sites nestled among beautiful forest surroundings. The location provides easy access to hiking trails, swimming holes, and the natural wonders of the White Mountains. Both campgrounds showcase New Hampshire's diverse landscapes, from majestic mountain panoramas to peaceful woodland settings.
What are the most accessible places to camp in NH for first-time visitors?
What are the most accessible places to camp in NH for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors to New Hampshire will find several easily accessible campgrounds that provide a welcoming introduction to camping in the Granite State. The Pastures Campground offers an ideal starting point with spacious sites featuring tables and fire rings, clean facilities including bathrooms, showers, and even a laundry room. Its location near the Vermont border provides convenient access while still delivering authentic New Hampshire camping. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins is another excellent choice for newcomers, offering riverside camping with ample parking and proximity to popular attractions like Clark's Trading Post. The campground's straightforward setup and convenient location make it perfect for those just beginning their New Hampshire camping adventures.
Keep Exploring