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Best Tent Camping near Woodsville, NH

1,134 Reviews

White Mountain National Forest offers numerous backcountry tent camping options within 30 miles of Woodsville, New Hampshire. Tent-only sites like Dugout Hideaway at Granny Clark Brook provide secluded camping experiences with basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. For hikers seeking primitive tent camping, the Appalachian Trail corridor features several established backcountry sites including Kinsman Pond Shelter and Guyot Shelter, both offering tent platforms and composting toilets. Fourth Iron Campground, situated along the Saco River, provides walk-in tent sites with river access just a quarter-mile from the parking area.

Most tent campsites in the region feature dirt or wooden platforms for tent setup, with varying amenities depending on location. Backcountry tent sites typically include composting toilets and bear boxes or cables for food storage, but rarely offer potable water. Campers should bring water filters or carry sufficient water supplies. Sites along the Appalachian Trail often require fees during peak season when caretakers are present. Weather conditions can limit access to higher-elevation tent sites, with snow lingering into late spring at locations like Guyot Shelter (4,360 ft elevation). Forest Protection Areas prohibit camping within a quarter-mile of trailheads and established campsites.

According to reviews, tent platforms at Guyot Shelter "have amazing views" and include "pumpable water, bear boxes and a shelter" making it "a great place to stay on the Pemi Loop." One camper at Fourth Iron Campground noted that "despite its proximity to the road, the campground is quiet" with "multiple rocky beaches between the sites and river." Tent sites at popular backcountry locations fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly at easily accessible locations like Sawyer Pond, where visitors recommend arriving early to secure a spot. Winter camping is possible at some lower-elevation sites, though facilities are minimal and seasonal roads may be closed.

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Best Tent Sites Near Woodsville, New Hampshire (64)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Woodsville, NH

89 Photos of 64 Woodsville Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Woodsville, NH

1134 Reviews of 64 Woodsville Campgrounds

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2020

    White Birches Camping Park

    A little something for everyone

    This Camping Park has something for just about everyone. Whether you have an RV (small, medium or large), tent, are looking for a cabin or want a little more of a wilderness feel, this place has something to offer. 

    While the campground looks to be primarily RV camping from the road, there are many tent sites tucked away in the trees and even two sites that are walk-in only and are situated right on the Androscoggin River. Additionally, the campground has several nice cabins available as well.

    Let's start with the RV sites: there are a bunch! This campground also hosts many seasonal campers who have sites situated around the perimeter of both sides of the campground (split by Route 2). Seasonal campers have some pretty sweet set-ups for sure. The only downside to some of the RV spots is that they can be in the sun almost all day which can be a bit much in the heart of the summer. Otherwise, sites are well maintained and have all the normal hookups for RVs.

    Tent sites are well spaced and almost all of them are in the shade which is a huge bonus! Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and nice level spot to pitch your tent. Bath houses are conveniently located throughout the campground and are well maintained. 

    The two walk-in tent sites are very secluded and offer fire rings, picnic tables, a bear box and one of the two sites has a wooden tent platform. The second site's tent platform is currently being built (July 2020) and should be at the site and ready for use soon. These sites sit right on the beautiful Androscoggin River, offering a serene backdrop for your camping adventure.

    The campground is situated in-between two large tracts of the White Mountain National Forest. Great hiking is available at the campground as well as a short drive away. If hiking is a hobby of yours, look no further! This is a great location to base yourself out of to get some solid miles under your belt. There is a campground office that has a small store as well as laundry facilities. They also offer an AT Hiker Hostel. They also have a nice heated swimming pool, playground and many other amenities. When there isn't a global health pandemic, they have a bouncy house for the kids. They often show movies on the lawn when the weather cooperates. They also rent kayaks and you can launch from the campground or they will shuttle you some place near by.

    It really is a campground with a little bit of everything! Owned by locals of the community who have run the place for over 25 years.

  • Beth R.
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    Newly Developed … Work in Progress

    Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) 1.7 mile from #7 Ranked World's Best Disc Golf Course: Fox Run Meadows New fire ring New picnic table Gorgeous Mountain View

    Cons: Grass site No amenities No Wi-Fi Soft ground, sinked during setup

  • Kathy S.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Pastures Campground The

    Riverside

    Adorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).

    Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.

    There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.

    Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.

  • Natali S.
    Nov. 23, 2023

    Private Field and Woods Camping

    The best holiday for the whole family

    Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is a true paradise for lovers of nature and secluded recreation. After spending several days here, I was delighted with the beauty of nature and the comfort that this unique camp offers. The first thing that catches your eye is the amazing landscape.

    Situated deep in the forests, the camp is surrounded by spacious fields and wild nature. Sunrises and sunsets at this place are a real miracle that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the moment. The camp itself provides unique opportunities for close contact with nature.

    The opportunity to locate your tent camp in a private field surrounded by forest creates a unique atmosphere of comfort and privacy. The absence of city noise and light pollution allows you to enjoy the silence and sounds of nature. The camp infrastructure also deserves the highest praise. Ecologically built showers and toilets provide everything you need for a comfortable stay away from civilization. Fire pits and cooking areas allow you to enjoy delicious meals cooked outdoors.

    Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is the perfect place for those who want a real getaway in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. I left this place with a feeling of complete relaxation and deep gratitude to the team who created this unique corner of nature.

  • J
    Sep. 4, 2022

    Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    Beautiful spot, but noisy

    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. There was a microburst over the campground the night I was there but the water drained down into the stream so I was not sleeping in a puddle. My site was in the row closest to the road where there was truck noise for much of the night. I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2017

    Dolly Copp Campground

    Just on the edge of town

    This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel. While this is a relatively large campground, a significant portion of it is under construction currently (Summer 2017).

    There are several loops of sites here but each site is spacious and wooded, with lot's of shade. There are flush toilets (no showers) and water spigots throughout the campground. Some sites do experience a bit of foot traffic if they are on the way to one of the restrooms.

    There is a small welcome/registration building where you stop to register on your way in. Be careful driving through the campground, the roads are in rough shape due to the construction.

    Sites have very clean fire pits, picnic tables and plenty of space for pitching a tent or two. There are several sites here that cater more to RVs but many of the sites are very tent friendly (soft, non-gravel real estate). Sites are $22/night and $5 for each additional vehicle.

    This is a popular spot with lot's of amazing hiking in the vicinity so reserve early!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2024

    Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    Nice place

    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. Some walk in sites with platforms are further from the road

    Vid is from the river off the trail that starts in the campground

Guide to Woodsville

White Mountain National Forest surrounds Woodsville, New Hampshire with primitive camping options at elevations ranging from 700 to 4,500 feet. The region receives approximately 100 inches of annual snowfall at higher elevations, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during peak camping months. Many backcountry sites require hikers to pack in all supplies and carry out all waste.

What to do

Hike the Franconia Ridge: Liberty Springs Tentsite provides an excellent basecamp for hikers tackling this popular trail. "Located just off of Franconia Ridge, a great basecamp for anyone doing the ridge or a pemi loop," notes Sean F. in his review of Liberty Springs Tentsite. The site features a natural spring for water collection (filtering recommended).

Fish local waterways: Baker Rocks offers fishing access along Baker River. "I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area," shares Justin P. in his review of Baker Rocks. While he "only caught a few minnows when fishing," the campground provides "a little beach along the Baker river" and "chairs for taking in the scenery" at another bend.

Summit nearby peaks: Kinsman Pond Shelter serves as a strategic overnight point for peak-bagging expeditions. Ryan M. explains that this is a "good spot to stay to bag a few mountain peaks" when reviewing Kinsman Pond Shelter, though he warns "the hike in isn't easy especially considering you'll need to carry all your gear."

What campers like

Secluded platforms: Garfield Ridge offers varied tent platforms with different privacy levels. Jerome S. notes in his review of Garfield Ridge Campsite and Shelter that there are "approx 6 platform sites and shelter" with "some overflow spots near the spring." He describes it as a "busy hub on AT" where "there were very few spots left" upon arrival.

Bear protection systems: Most White Mountain backcountry sites feature bear boxes for food storage. Raj T. mentions the "Joe boxes for bear protection" at Garfield Ridge, along with other amenities like "cooking and dining area, pivy...plus ice cold spring water and sunrise view point." These food storage systems help campers comply with bear safety regulations while backpacking.

Sunrise opportunities: Early risers appreciate the mountain views from campsites. Asher K. suggests "a sunrise peak if you have the energy to get up early" when staying at Guyot Shelter. He notes the shelter "is a classic AMC shelter in the backcountry" that "fills up quick" so "it's still probably a good idea to bring a tent."

What you should know

No-trace practices required: All White Mountain backcountry sites enforce carry-in, carry-out policies. Lexi R. emphasizes that "carry in carry out does apply" at Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping, noting other amenities like "pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter."

Platform-only tent requirements: Many sites require freestanding tents for wooden platforms. Sean F. warns at Liberty Springs that "tent sites are platforms, so make sure to have a free standing tent" though "there are a couple 'overflow' spots the caretaker may let you stay in if you can't use a platform."

Limited site availability: Popular locations fill quickly during peak season. Jerome S. mentions that Garfield Ridge "is a busy hub on AT" and "when we arrived there were very few spots left." Sean F. similarly warns that Liberty Springs "gets packed on weekends."

Tips for camping with families

Opt for drive-up alternatives: For families with young children, tent camping at Baker Rocks offers easier access. April W. reports in her Baker Rocks review that "the campsites are private and spacious" and mentions unique family-friendly features: "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)."

Consider glamping options: Alternative accommodations provide comfort for families new to camping. April W. describes staying "2 nights in the double bell tent with two clean full size beds and a 3rd night in the yurt" noting that "both were spacious and wonderful, among tall trees and pines."

Pack insect protection: The White Mountain region has seasonal mosquito activity. April W. advises visitors to "bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected" when visiting Baker Rocks.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV access: Most backcountry tent sites near Woodsville are not accessible by RV. Molly's Falls Pond in neighboring Vermont offers more accommodating options. M.A.D. P. describes Molly's Falls Pond State Park as having "5 unofficial, remote campsites" that are "available on a first-come, first-served basis" with a "boat launch with 2 fishing platforms, plus a nearby port-o-let."

Consider rental cabins: Cabins provide RV-like comfort without driving challenges. Justin P. notes that Baker Rocks had "a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins" making it versatile for different camping styles without requiring RV access on narrow forest roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Woodsville, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Woodsville, NH is Dugout Hideaway @ Granny Clark Brook with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Woodsville, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 64 tent camping locations near Woodsville, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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