The White Mountains of New Hampshire rise to elevations over 4,000 feet around Wonalancet, creating distinct camping seasons with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Most campgrounds in this region operate from May through October, with nightly temperatures that can dip into the 40s even during summer months. The terrain varies from riverside camping along the Swift River to forested sites nestled among pine and hardwood trees.
What to do
River access activities: White Lake State Park Campground offers exceptional water recreation on its clear lake with mountain backdrops. As one camper notes, "The lake itself is unreal, with the mountains in the background it just feels incredibly peaceful and serene... There is another store on the beach with candy, floats and toys. They also have charcoal in just the right size to grill on one of the available charcoal hibachis, scattered among the picnic tables on the beach."
Hiking from camp: At Covered Bridge Campground, you can access trails directly from your site. "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)," one reviewer mentions. The trail provides excellent mountain views without requiring a car trip.
Winter camping options: For those wanting to experience the White Mountains in winter, Hancock Campground remains open year-round. A winter camper shared: "Stayed here for two nights in late December. 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."
What campers like
Quiet, wooded campsites: Dry River Campground at Crawford Notch offers a serene camping experience with spacious, well-maintained sites. One camper describes it as "nice and secluded. The pine needle floor was soft and clean. 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."
Riverside camping spots: Campers particularly value sites with water access. At Hancock Campground, "Sites were large and level. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area."
Reasonable costs: Most White Mountain National Forest campgrounds offer affordable camping compared to private options. As one Waterville Campground visitor noted, "This campground was operating under a serve-yourself basis when I camped in October, 2021. I reserved my spot, #10, online less than a week before. They have outhouses, bathrooms, showers, laundry, potable water and a dishwashing station all included for the nightly rate of $25 + $6.50 reservation fee."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the White Mountains have limited or no cell service. A Waterville Campground visitor confirmed: "No Verizon work and vault toilets... No WiFi." Plan accordingly by downloading maps and having emergency contacts written down.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require reservations while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. At Passaconaway Campground, "This is a first come campground, which means that you can't make a reservation in advance. I arrived on a Saturday in June a little after 9am and had not problem getting a site, the place was mostly empty at that time. In order to reserve the site you must find an empty site, and leave something there (ie: your tent) to signify to others that the site is taken."
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage at all pet friendly campgrounds near Wonalancet. One camper at Waterville reported: "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. We scared the poop out of each other. Local police came and said they have been having problems with the bears coming through my site particularly."
Tips for camping with families
Best beaches: White Lake State Park Campground offers one of the best swimming areas for families. As one reviewer notes: "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids, and there is a separate boat launch area. If you don't have your own boats, they offer rentals of kayaks and paddle boats."
Campground organization: Several campgrounds have well-organized layouts ideal for children. At Jigger Johnson Campground, "The road through the campground is paved and mostly flat, making it ideal for kids to ride their bikes. We loved waking up to the sun rays filtering through the trees. One can hear noise from the road nearby, so it isn't perfectly silent, but the campground itself is tranquil."
Bathroom considerations: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. At Passaconaway Campground, "I had site 11, which is in the smaller of the two loops, close to both the bathroom (outhouse) and water spigot. Since I was only staying for one night, I liked being close to these." Consider bringing a night light for nighttime bathroom visits.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV campers visiting pet friendly locations near Wonalancet, be mindful of site dimensions. One visitor to White Ledge Campground noted, "The sites are well spaced, well maintained and provide you with a picnic table and fire pit. The campsite is close to the Conway area and the Kancamagus. The campground is off Route 16 so there is some traffic noise but not much in evening."
Shower facilities: Jigger Johnson Campground is one of the few WMNF campgrounds with showers, which RVers appreciate. "Just one shower house for all the sites. The showers required 10 quarters for a 7 minute shower—and there is not money changing place on site." Bring quarters if you plan to use the facilities.
Road access considerations: RV drivers should note access limitations. At Covered Bridge Campground, "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." Check campground websites for maximum vehicle length restrictions.
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