Rustic camping options in the White Mountains surround Waterville Valley, New Hampshire at elevations ranging from 700 to over 4,000 feet. The region features diverse terrain from riverside sites at lower elevations to mountain campsites with significant temperature variations between day and night. Most primitive campgrounds in the national forest close by mid-October due to freezing temperatures and snow potential.
What to do
River access adventures: At Eastern Slope Camping Area, the Saco River provides excellent tubing and swimming opportunities. "There is a small pond in the center with ducks and fish. A huge playground for the kids. Plenty of picnic tables and river access," notes one visitor. The campground offers canoe and kayak rentals with shuttle service.
Mountain hiking expeditions: Backcountry camping at Guyot Shelter serves as a strategic overnight point for hikers completing the challenging Pemi Loop trail. "We got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset," shares a camper. The shelter sits at 4,360 feet elevation and requires a strenuous hike to access.
Boulder exploration: Near the Covered Bridge Campground, the Boulder Loop Trail offers excellent vista views without requiring vehicle transportation. A visitor notes, "Extra bonus is the Boulder Loop Trail that is attached to the campground. It's relatively short, offers several great vista views, and you can walk there from the campground and not have to deal with parking."
What campers like
Campsite privacy levels: The Waterville Campground offers secluded, wooded sites that provide separation between camping parties. A recent visitor mentioned, "Great, affordable rustic campground run by the state. There are quite hours that the host does enforce. Sites are large with space in between." For those seeking more isolation, nearby dispersed camping on Tripoli Road provides additional options.
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the streams and rivers flowing through or near campsites. At Covered Bridge, one camper shared, "It was great to wade in the river by the entrance after hiking and cool my feet off." The Swift River access points provide natural swimming holes during warmer months when water levels permit.
Dark night skies: Backcountry and primitive camping locations offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. Sites further from main roads provide better night sky viewing. A camper at Guyot Shelter noted, "Some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops," making it ideal for both sunset and sunrise views as well as nighttime star observation.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most national forest campgrounds operate from late May through mid-October only. "No showers. Located super close to Waterville valley ski area, hiking, golf, etc.," mentions a Waterville Campground visitor about the amenities and seasonal attractions.
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. A visitor at White Ledge Campground warned, "Make sure to hike Boulder Loop - we hopped on straight through the woods from our campsite." Meanwhile, at Waterville Campground, another camper reported, "The camp honestly is really nice and well maintained. Some Verizon work and vault toilets. The first day I got there at around 5:30 I was sitting in my hammock reading when a black bear cub strolled through my campsite."
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities range from flush toilets to vault toilets with no running water. One camper at Waterville noted, "One major concern, I wish I had known, is there are no sinks. There are signs to wash your hand but not a single sink during Covid. The bathrooms are outhouses. No flush and not pleasant smelling. No mirrors or lights or sinks in the bathrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: The Country Bumpkins Campground offers family-oriented features with convenient access to attractions. "There is a small arcade game room, WiFi at each site and an outdoor play area for kids," mentioned one visitor. The campground's location provides easy access to Clark's Trading Post, a popular regional attraction.
Noise considerations: Family campers should research quiet hours enforcement. A camper at White Lake State Park observed, "Quiet hours are not honored here, fails to feel family friendly sometimes. My first trip I was next to partygoers and they played heavy metal, cussing, and drinking late into midnight."
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas vary in depth and safety features. At Eastern Slope, one visitor noted, "The river is awesome" while another mentioned, "Love that it is right on the Saco river, has two beaches." Water depth and current strength fluctuate throughout the season, requiring parental supervision.
Tips for RVers
Site access challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult entry roads or tight turning spaces. At Covered Bridge, a camper warned, "The road in for RVs is not terrific. There is about a 1/2 mile that is mostly one lane (with a drop off on one side) and if someone is coming decisions have to be made." Height restrictions also apply at the covered bridge itself.
Limited hookup availability: Most national forest campgrounds offer no hookups. For full hookups, Moose Hillock Camping Resort provides larger sites with amenities. "Large,clean sites. Plenty to do with the kids. They love the ship wreck pool! A bit tough on the noise rules. No internet connectivity!!" noted one visitor.
Cellular connectivity: Service varies significantly by location and provider. A camper at Covered Bridge reported, "Very spotty Verizon cell coverage and no TMobile service at all. Better coverage for both carriers near the top of the boulder loop trail." For those requiring consistent connectivity, campgrounds closer to Lincoln/Woodstock tend to have better service.
