236 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Franklin, New Hampshire spans from RV-friendly campgrounds with full hookups to rustic tent sites, situated between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. The area features several family-friendly options including Granite State Campground in Belmont and Silver Lakes Park Campground, both within a short drive of Franklin. These campgrounds provide access to numerous lakes and ponds, with Webster Lake directly in Franklin offering water recreation opportunities. Many sites are situated along waterways, providing scenic views and easy water access for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Most campgrounds in the Franklin area operate seasonally from mid-May through Columbus Day, with a few exceptions like Paugus Bay Campground which remains open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day, while spring and fall bring cooler weather with occasional frost. Mosquitoes can be abundant during summer months, particularly near water bodies. Cell service is generally reliable in established campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer season, especially for weekend stays and waterfront sites.
The camping options around Franklin vary in amenities and settings. RV-friendly campgrounds like Meredith Woods Four Season Camping and Gunstock Campground offer full hookups, while more rustic options are available for tent campers seeking a quieter experience. According to reviews, many campgrounds in the region provide spacious sites with good privacy between neighbors. Families with children will find several campgrounds with recreational facilities including beaches, playgrounds, and organized activities. Pet policies vary significantly between locations, with some campgrounds restricting pets during peak season or in certain areas. Campers seeking larger sites for group gatherings should look to Gunstock Campground, which offers 250 sites and accommodates various camping styles from tents to RVs.
"Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire."
"I was lucky to receive a tranquil, secluded spot next to a brook - perfect."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability"New bath houses, New hook-ups on many sites Close drive to Lake Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee, Close drive to Gunstock Mountain, not far from Laconia, wooded sites, The camp has some seasonal full timers"
"This campground is one of my favorites in the lakes region. Affordable prices, large wooded sites and great staff."
"They also have a nice game room for them kids or grown ups that struggle to leave technology behind."
from $44 - $135 / night
Check Availability"The lake beach was fantastic, very nicely maintained. Kayak rental was super cheap and easy to do!
The campground is relatively near Meredith town center, and not far from Weirs beach."
from $33 - $56 / night
Check Availability"We seriously lucked out with getting two sites next to eachother over looking the lake though. Pros: -Owners were very friendly and helpful. -Lots of lake activities to do."
"Campground is primarily seasonal sites, however the nightly rentals sites are nicely located near the water."
"Silver Lake Park Campground and Cabins was an incredibly well maintained campground off Jamestown Road in Belmont NH. "
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Free DVD and book lending library, so if you aren't enjoying the great outdoors or walking on their nature trails, you can just read or watch. Easy access to the lake or hiking trails in the area. "
"Sinks are located outside and there is a bIgger sink for washing dishes. We were on an electric/water site but they also have a few primitive sites. We loved it here and will definitely be back."
from $3500 - $4500 / night
Check Availability"I had a view of the beautiful pond, which is really a lake, and wished I had more time to rent a kayak. The bathrooms were clean and easy to access, since I do not have sewer in my small pop-up."
"Restroom closed to covid, some campgrounds kept them open and just cleaned more. Well no complaint here we’re self contained. Some areas could use some tidying up."
from $24 - $199 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
ScoutThe Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
ScoutBeautiful campground. Private spaces. Staff is very friendly.
ScoutI am writing because I am deeply concerned about the treatment of my disabled adult daughter: today and last week at Pine Acres. She loved the campground and sent me literally 100s of pictures of the wildlife and activities.
She had a friendly connection with Brendan and some other staff; she had a terrible Christmas last year, and she told me how doing a Christmas craft and attending your Christmas party healed that for her. She was happy, and I can’t imagine she was an issue other than the crying.
She sent me pictures of the“ neighborhood” she was moving into for the rest of the season. She was happy. She’s been struggling so much since the loss of that dog. I felt like she had found a place to heal, was having fun, and was going to be ok. She mentioned wanting to be friendly( greeting people is hard for her) and make the park a better place, like picking up others' trash. I was shocked to hear she was asked to leave simply for having an autistic meltdown, a neurological event she will experience for the rest of her life, like a seizure. Even if this made others uncomfortable, she didn’t damage any property, threaten anyone, or do anything that could possibly warrant this treatment. It seems that someone was uncomfortable with the intensity of autistic emotions, and she and I now faced devastating consequences, including additional costs. Moreover, I also have a traumatized daughter who is scared to settle again kicked out for crying.
This never needed to be handled like this. She tried to advocate for herself and ask for one more night to prepare, but she never refused to leave; she was packing well, advocating. She was also advocating, believing that the people who had been so kind would be reasonable. Then she was retaliated against for that advocacy. Grace is reasonable, and a resolution could have been reached to address any non-discriminatory concerns; instead, you chose violence. Grace is kind; I realize she is a bit awkward, but that doesn’t mean she wanted this mistreatment.
TravelerNo major complaints. Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together.
TravelerFor the price, it’s not bad. For about $50/night, we got a nice even sandy campsite with a picnic table and fire ring. Not much privacy, though- the neighboring sites are not separated by trees or bushes or anything.
TravelerBeyond friendly staff. The sites and kept up. The cabins are like a home away from home. Little dan and big Dan are amazing to go swimming in. The store has everything you'd want or need during ur trip!
TravelerI have to say one of the best campgrounds in New England. All of the bathrooms, showers, site and other places were all clean and well cared for. We had a nice site by the pond. It was peaceful while still being busy withe plenty of kids. They have hundreds of sites, mostly seasonal but gives you nice walk to see the place. The pools were really nice and again clean. They have a snack shack with breakfast, lunch and dinner. A well stocked store with very nice staff. It was our second stay and will not be our last.
The only thing that wasn't great was the WIFI and cell service isn't great.
GuideThis was such a great campground! Before we even left we were planning on returning. It’s clean, has great facilities and a camp store with anything you need or forgot without having to go to Walmart. It’s a fun place for kids, peaceful for parents, plenty to do on site and nearby.
Camping options near Franklin, New Hampshire range from waterfront sites along Lake Winnipesaukee to wooded settings in the foothills of the White Mountains. The region sits at elevations between 400-700 feet, creating moderate terrain suitable for both tent and RV camping. Winter overnight temperatures often drop below freezing from November through April, making late spring through early fall the most comfortable camping season.
Water recreation at Gunstock Campground: The campground provides easy access to nearby lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating. "Has an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc.," writes Kasey H., highlighting the diverse activities available.
Kayaking at Clearwater Campground: Affordable kayak rentals make exploring the lake accessible for all skill levels. Brandon C. noted, "Kayak rental was super cheap and easy to do! The lake beach was fantastic, very nicely maintained."
Hiking from Wolf Swamp: This unique campground offers quick access to several hiking trails. According to Tim S., there are "great hiking trails nearby" though he warns that "it can get very buggy so make sure you bring bug spray."
Privacy at Gunstock Campground: Many sites offer seclusion in wooded settings. Melissa B. advises, "I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?) and then I believe sites 203 and 205 were nice and tucked away in the trees as well."
Clean facilities at Meredith Woods Four Season Camping: The campground maintains high standards year-round. Mara S. observed during winter, "Squeaky clean - and that's not always easy especially in the winter when everyone drags snow, slush and mud into the bathroom. Thank you for sticking to such high standards."
Lake views at Sandy Beach Campground: Sites near the water provide scenic settings. Robert M. describes it as having "plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site."
Site selection at Clearwater Campground: Sites vary in size and levelness. Paummi S. observed, "It was very crowded and the sites are close together and there were a lot of mosquitoes. However, every one was very considerate, the bathrooms and showers were clean and wonderful as were the laundry facilities and game room."
Campground policies vary significantly: Some campgrounds like Silver Lakes Park prohibit pets entirely, while others allow them with restrictions. Visitor fees may apply at some locations - Andrew P. noted at Meredith Woods, "My brother in law came to pick up clothes for his kids from us and we had to pay $8.00 for him to be in the camp for 45 min."
Winter camping limitations: Most campgrounds close after Columbus Day, with Paugus Bay Campground being a notable exception remaining open year-round. Winter sites often have limited amenities and require additional preparation.
Indoor activities at Paugus Bay Campground: The campground offers alternatives for rainy days. Michelle B. recommends, "Nice size beach and pavillion, playground located at the top of the hill as well as shuffleboard."
Child-friendly sites at Granite State Campground: The campground design accommodates young campers. Andrew P. shared, "Boys rode around on bikes, facilities were clean, the owners have been working hard to improve this camp. I will definitely go again."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds, though families should note their location relative to campsites. At Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Jellystone), Karen observed, "My kids loved it - but mostly because there were no real strict rules and they had a blast."
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. Chase B. warns about Paugus Bay, "Sites are EXTREMELY tight. If you have a pull behind, you definitely need to be comfortable backing it up in tight, dicey situations."
Winter RV accommodations at Silver Lakes Park Campground: This campground maintains reliable services during cold months. Kirsten J. notes it's "a very clean, quiet, gated campground, with easy beach access for the kids (and launching space for pontoon or bass boats)."
Hookup availability: Most of the best places to camp near Franklin offer water and electric hookups, but sewer connections are less common. Some campgrounds like Paugus Bay provide honey wagon service for an additional fee instead of full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free or low-cost camping options in Franklin?
Budget-friendly camping options exist near Franklin. Big Rock offers an economical choice with 28 wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway. It's conveniently located just 8 minutes from Lincoln for supply runs. Pillsbury State Park Campground provides a primitive camping experience at reasonable rates. While lacking showers or electric hookups, it offers lakeside camping with most sites accessible by car and includes parking spaces. Both options provide affordable alternatives to pricier private campgrounds while still delivering authentic New Hampshire outdoor experiences.
Where are the best campgrounds near Franklin?
The Franklin area offers excellent camping options in New Hampshire's natural beauty. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park is a top choice with stunning mountain views, stream-side sites, and access to the Franconia Ridge hiking trails. It's perfectly positioned for exploring Franconia Notch State Park. Jigger Johnson Campground along the Kancamagus Highway offers excellent access to hiking, swimming, and exploring, while being a reasonable distance from North Conway's amenities. Both provide clean facilities and beautiful natural settings that showcase New Hampshire's outdoor splendor.
What amenities are available at Franklin camping sites?
Campgrounds near Franklin offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Bear Brook State Park Campground provides family-friendly facilities including trails, play structures, a camp store, beach access, and even a small baseball diamond within New Hampshire's largest state park. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages offers firewood for purchase and beautiful pond views. At The Pastures Campground, you'll find clean bathrooms, showers, a laundry room, library, and spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic necessities like toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
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