A
Amber G.
Scout
ScoutTripoli Road
So much fun!
Went on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
Camping near Wonalancet, NH
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The White Mountains region surrounding Wonalancet, New Hampshire contains numerous established campgrounds with varying amenities and access types. The area features both National Forest Service sites and privately operated facilities, with options ranging from primitive tent camping to full-service RV resorts. Campgrounds such as White Lake State Park and Covered Bridge Campground accommodate tents, RVs, and in some cases cabin rentals. The Kancamagus Highway corridor provides access to several popular campgrounds including Jigger Johnson, Passaconaway, and White Ledge, most operating seasonally from May through October.
Road conditions and campground accessibility vary significantly with the seasons. Most campgrounds maintain operating schedules from late May through early October, though specific opening and closing dates differ between locations. Winter camping options are limited, with Hancock Campground being one of the few year-round facilities in the region. A camper noted, "Hancock Campground is one of the rare New Hampshire campgrounds that is open year round," highlighting this exceptional availability. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the White Mountains, particularly at higher elevations, and many forest roads become inaccessible during winter months. Cell service is unreliable throughout much of the area, with several campgrounds having no connectivity.
Riverside camping locations consistently rank among the most sought-after sites in the Wonalancet area. Several campgrounds, including Covered Bridge and Jigger Johnson, provide direct access to the Swift River and Pemigewasset River systems. Water features are frequently mentioned in visitor reviews as highlights of camping experiences. According to one visitor, "The campground is clean and easy to register/pay. Wooded/private campsites. Access to some of the best hiking in New Hampshire!" Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities including toilets and drinking water, though hookup availability varies considerably between locations. Visitors frequently note the proximity to hiking trails as a significant advantage, with many campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for exploring the extensive trail networks throughout the White Mountains National Forest.
Best Campgrounds near Wonalancet (290)
1. White Lake State Park Campground
"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."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability2. Jigger Johnson Campground
"Located on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, Jigger Johnson is one of those great sites that has close proximity to plenty of hiking, exploring, swimming and isn't too far from the hustle and bustle"
"earlier in the day, around 1 pm when new campers are welcomed."
from $24 / night
Check Availability3. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park
"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"
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Covered Bridge
"He absolutely loved it and there was plenty of space in the tent site for him to roam around."
"Our site was spacious and backed up to a little ravine so it was fairly private even though it was right next to the bathrooms (also convenient). We weren’t far from a hand pump water spigot, either."
from $30 / night
Check Availability5. Hancock Campground
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Waterville Campground
"Located super close to Waterville valley ski area, hiking, golf, etc."
"A path leads straight down to the river, which we can hear running from the tents at night. The caretaker is one of the friendliest I’ve met, and he keeps the sites and bathrooms very clean."
from $24 / night
Check Availability7. White Ledge Campground
"White Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park."
"Water spigot and vault toilets, dumpsters all within easy walking distance of all sites. Great spot to start Carter Ledge Trail to hike Three Sisters and Mount Chocorua."
from $30 / night
Check Availability8. Passaconaway Campground
"The campground borders the Kancamangus Highway on one side, and the tranquil Swift River on the other."
"I only gave the campground 4 stars because the campground is so close to the Kancamagus Highway that you can hear cars and bikes through most of the night."
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort
"This campground is huge with over 300 sites set on nearly 200 acres and along a beautiful lake!"
"We love the golf carts and sandy beaches as well as the proximity to North Conway and Lake Ossipee. Staff are nice, quiet time is a bit over enforced."
from $40 - $85 / night
Check Availability10. Eastern Slope Camping Area
"A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."
"Great location with easy ride to all North Conway attractions. Nice hay ride and playground. The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out. We visited Story Land and Mt."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 26 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 41 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 49 min from Portland, ME
- 2 hrs 46 min from Burlington, VT
Recent Camping Photos near Wonalancet, NH
738 Photos of 290 Wonalancet Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Wonalancet, NH
1261 Reviews of 290 Wonalancet Campgrounds
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
- KKrista R.
TravelerMoose Brook State Park Campground
Like Dispersed Camping... For $42
Pros: We have the p lube nearly to ourselves, thus it was very similar to dispersed camping. Nice little campground with two small ponds (One for fishing, the other for swimming). Nothing very remarkable, though.
Cons: As others have mentioned, if you want flush toilets and pay showers, you have to either stay at the more crowded, larger loop or walk across the highway to get to those amenities.
Richard P.ScoutSebago Lake Family Campground
Find a better place!
We just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
Jen P.TravelerTwin Mountain Campground
Lovely and peaceful
It was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
- JJose L.Traveler
Town Hall Road Dispersed
Dispersed it is!
Stayed 8 nights with complete solitude. Bugs weren't too bad. There were plenty of dead birch trees and beech trees for firewood. Not any evergreens though. Site 16 has two campsites. I took the further one with plenty of room. Good size fire pit, but people before me left some large pieces of wood not completely put out along with lit coals.
Nikki M.ScoutCherry Mountain Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping in white mountains
We stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
- Amy D.Traveler
Ellacoya State Park Campground
Pretty ok!
No 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.
- Amy D.Traveler
Jericho Mountain State Park Campground
Warning to RV drivers!
Honestly a wonderful place, gorgeous little lake and beach, incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Note though if you’re staying in one of the new RV sites, it is nowhere near the bathrooms or bathhouse - like a 10+ minute walk, and I wouldn’t want to do it at night. The RV section is clearly still very very new, and they’re working out the kinks, so only go here if you’ve got a self-sufficient RV and don’t need bathrooms. There are all 3 hookups, though the sewer hookup was so far back our short hose did not reach. But they do sell extensions at the visitors center, and there is a dump station, though we had to call to have them unlock it. Overall a great place, but be aware if you’re looking for a place with both full RV hookups and bathrooms, this is not it!
Guide to Wonalancet
Camping opportunities near Wonalancet, New Hampshire range from primitive tent sites to full-service facilities across varying elevations from 750 to 2,500 feet. The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with summer nights often dropping below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Water levels in local rivers vary dramatically between spring runoff and late summer, affecting both swimming opportunities and ambient noise at riverside campsites.
What to do
Hiking White Ledge Loop: 4.1 miles of moderate terrain accessible directly from White Ledge Campground. "We hiked the White Ledge Loop which was 4.1 miles and got amazing views. The brooks running through are beautiful," notes Sarah J. The trailhead connects to several additional paths leading to spectacular viewpoints of the surrounding mountains.
River recreation: Swift River access paths from Jigger Johnson Campground lead to swimming holes and natural water slides. "Short hike will take you to the river from the campground. There are a lot of spots! We went on a slow day so we had it to ourselves with a few more campers," reports Rebecca A. Several spots are deep enough for swimming, and some areas feature rope swings for more adventurous visitors.
Winter camping options: Year-round access at Hancock Campground provides rare off-season opportunities. "Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites. The campgrounds were well cared for and the staff was friendly," notes Heather B. Winter campers should prepare for temperatures frequently below freezing and limited services, as water systems are typically winterized.
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Well-spaced sites at Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park provide quieter camping experiences. "The sites are spacious, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them. This can be good if you are with friends and reserve sites side by side," explains Jean C. Many campers appreciate the natural spacing created by forest vegetation between most sites.
Waterfront locations: Direct river access remains highly sought-after, with Covered Bridge Campground offering prime spots. "It was great to wade in the river by the entrance after hiking and cool my feet off. It made a good home base for exploring," reports Deborah M. The Swift River provides both recreational opportunities and natural white noise that masks sounds from nearby campsites.
Family-friendly amenities: Multiple beach areas at some private campgrounds accommodate different preferences. "They have volleyball courts as well as a swim area with a dock, that I spent soon much time on," shares Michelle D. about her experiences at Danforth Bay. Designated kid-friendly swimming zones with gradually sloping entry points are particularly valued by families with young children.
What you should know
Bear precautions: Active bear populations require proper food storage throughout the region. "The campground has bear boxes on sites, which was a big plus, since we couldn't keep anything in our car," notes Lindsey M. about Hancock Campground. Many sites provide metal food storage containers, particularly at riverside tent-only locations where keeping food in vehicles isn't possible.
Seasonal insect conditions: Significant bug pressure varies by location and time of year. "Bring your bug spray, citronella candles and smoky firewood—the bugs here are no joke. But if you come prepared you can get by with minimal bites," advises Angela T. Black flies are typically worst in May and early June, while mosquitoes persist throughout summer, especially near water sources.
Toilet facilities: Variable bathroom quality across campgrounds, with Waterville Campground offering basic facilities. "The bathrooms are outhouses. No flush and not pleasant smelling. No mirrors or lights or sinks in the bathrooms," reports Desiree M. Most campgrounds use vault toilets, with only a few offering flush facilities, typically at larger, more developed locations.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Sandy swimming areas with gradual entry points provide safer water play. "The lake itself is unreal, with the mountains in the background it just feels incredibly peaceful and serene," writes Angela T. about White Lake State Park. The shallow entry extends quite far from shore, making it ideal for families with young children who need wading-depth water.
Bicycle-friendly campgrounds: Paved loops at Jigger Johnson Campground accommodate kids on bikes. "The road through the campground is paved and mostly flat, making it ideal for kids to ride their bikes," shares Rita M. Bicycles also help children travel between campsites and bathrooms or water sources at larger facilities where these amenities might be some distance away.
Noise considerations: Traffic sound impacts vary significantly between campgrounds and even between sites within the same facility. "The campground borders the Kancamangus Highway on one side, and the tranquil Swift River on the other," explains Rita M. about Passaconaway Campground. Sites further from main roads generally offer quieter conditions, especially important for families with young children who go to bed early.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Limited big-rig options with some campgrounds having size restrictions. "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," warns Norma S. about Covered Bridge Campground. Many forest service campgrounds have maximum vehicle length restrictions and narrow access roads.
Hookup availability: Electric and water service primarily available at private campgrounds. "We had site M-9 and M-10," shares Michael M. about Danforth Bay, noting the "large sites with full hookups." Most national forest campgrounds offer no hookups, requiring self-contained operation or generator use during permitted hours.
Dump station locations: Limited waste disposal facilities require planning. Several reviewers noted the absence of dump stations at forest service campgrounds, with Hancock and White Lake State Park being exceptions. RVers often need to use facilities in Conway or Lincoln when staying at more primitive campgrounds in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wonalancet, NH?
What camping is available near Wonalancet, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wonalancet, NH offers a wide range of camping options, with 290 campgrounds and RV parks near Wonalancet, NH and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wonalancet, NH?
Which is the most popular campground near Wonalancet, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wonalancet, NH is White Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wonalancet, NH?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wonalancet, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Wonalancet, NH.
What parks are near Wonalancet, NH?
What parks are near Wonalancet, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Wonalancet, NH that allow camping, notably White Mountain National Forest and Union Village Dam.
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