Map showing campground location near Chatham, New Hampshire

Camper submitted image from Basin Campground

Basin Campground

The sound of dragonfly wings drying near Basin Pond marks late spring at this 20-site Forest Service campground in Evans Notch. Located along a residential road that transitions to forest service access, Basin Campground sits adjacent to a day-use area with boat launch and swimming access for non-motorized watercraft.

Sites arrange in a loop configuration with crushed rock surfaces that handle rain better than sandy alternatives. The outer perimeter sites back directly to woods for increased privacy, while interior sites remain well-spaced with fire rings and large picnic tables. Some sites require walking up a few steps from parking areas to reach the camping area. Michele S. notes "sites 9-10 had a little trail down to the pond." Fresh water spigots distribute between sites, and one bathhouse provides flush toilets without soap or paper towels.

Campers report no cell service within several miles, making this a genuine disconnect from connectivity. The campground serves as a hiking base for Evans Notch trails, with paths leading directly to Wild River Wilderness from campsites. Night skies reveal stars clearly without light pollution interference. Camp hosts maintain active presence throughout days, and firewood stays available for purchase. The Cold River campground sits just half a mile southeast for those exploring multiple Forest Service options in the area.

Description

Overview

Basin Campground is located in a rustic, remote part of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, about 15 miles north of Fryeburg, Maine. It is a small facility with access to hiking and mountain biking trails and proximity to a small pond for fishing and canoeing. The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and is one of the most popular in the country.

Recreation

Hikers will enjoy exploring the 4.5-mile Basin Trail, which leaves from campground, and numerous other hiking and mountain biking trails within a short drive. Trout fishing is available in Basin Pond. The pond's calm waters are also ideal for canoeing. The area hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, special events and regional and national skiing and snowboarding races. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.

Facilities

Basin Campground hosts a mix of tent-only and standard sites along a single loop near Basin Pond. Accessible restrooms and drinking water are provided. There are no showers or a dump station.

Natural Features

The campground is in a pleasant mixed hardwood forest a short distance from the 23-acre Basin Pond. The national forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the White Mountains.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (802) 289-0970.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Fryeburg, Maine has groceries, restaurants and gas. Campers might enjoy a scenic day trip to the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Due to continued construction projects at the campground, we regret to inform you that opening day has been delayed. We hope to open in June of this year. Cold River Campground & Hastings Campground will be open as of May 22nd and can be reserved on Recreation.gov. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

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Map & DirectionsBasin Campground is located in New Hampshire near Chatham

Public Campground

Directions

From Fryeburg, Maine, take Highway 113 north 15 miles to the campground.

Address

WHITE MOUNTAIN
NH

Coordinates

44.2675 N
71.0227778 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Firewood Available
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

1 hr 28 min from Lewiston, ME
1 hr 47 min from Portland, ME
2 hrs 17 min from Manchester, NH
2 hrs 56 min from Burlington, VT

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Basin Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the large, private sites and peaceful atmosphere at this small WMNF campground. Guests commonly noted the helpful hosts, clean facilities, and proximity to hiking trails, though visitors should prepare for no cell service.

Carolyn M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2024

Small, quiet, and adjacent to some great hikingvtrails

These sites are set up in a loop with one bathroom facility. It’s located in Evan’s Notch, so close to many wonderful hiking trails and next to lovely Basin Pond. So quiet!

Month of VisitJuly

Christina V.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2022

Small, quiet campground on the border of Maine and New Hampshire

Basin Campground is a very small primitive campground with 20 campsites, off of a residential road turned forest road on the border of New Hampshire and Maine. The closest large grocery store is a considerable drive from Basin and there is no cell service within several miles in any direction.

The remoteness of this campsite being the case, I actually expected it to feel more remote than it did. There were plenty of other campers to remind you that you weren’t alone, and there appears to be a homeless encampment set up by the reservoir, at the entrance to the campground.

Our campsite was number 10- it was a nice campsite, but we did have a neighboring camper lose control of their dog and run into our site- since our dog is extremely reactive towards other dogs, we ended up not feeling completely comfortable at our campsite and ended up deciding to explore the area rather than hang out there. This is not the fault of the campground and the person didn’t mean to let their dog off leash- they did apologize. We just weren’t completely comfortable given that event.

The campground is quiet, with no road noise. The surrounding forest roads were fun to explore, and we enjoyed driving into Maine to look at the mountains.

Not our favorite campsite, but also not the worst. We might have enjoyed it more under different circumstances.

Site10

Month of VisitAugust

Samantha C.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 18, 2022

Nice Tucked Away Campground

Site 6 is a great site for a pop-up or small trailer, relatively private with small wooded areas separating you from the other sites. There are no hookups at this particular site but some of the others sites offered electricity and water. The bathrooms are a short walking distance away and they are flushing toilets with sinks (bring your own soap). The sites are clean and well maintained by friendly hosts.

Beautiful star filled sky at night!

Site6

Month of VisitAugust

Mim J.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2021

Day at Basin Pond

These campsites are small and perfect. Tucked away in a beautiful area of the Whites this site is for all hikers. With trails leading to the Wild River Wilderness right from your campsite plus lots of other gems along the road. What a perfect fall morning.

Month of VisitSeptember

(6) View All

Jamie D.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2021

clean and quiet

another gem of a WMNF campground. very clean and quiet, hosts are very pleasant, close to all the hiking of Evans Notch. No cell service, at least not AT&T or Verizon. if you need it, a short drive down the road gets you service.

Site9

Month of VisitJune

Rebecca D.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 16, 2021

Very quite peaceful location

We loved it here. It was super quiet in late May. There were tons of dragonfly larva emerging from the pond and drying their wings. We also saw lots of trillium and lady slippers on a nearby hike. Really outstanding view right at the campground picnic area.

Site6

Month of VisitMay

(6) View All

Sarah C.

Legend

Reviewed Mar. 3, 2021

Stunning Scenery & Swimming!

Absolutely beautiful spot! This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer. The water is surrounded by beautiful cliffs with hiking opportunities readily available. The water is a short walk from all of the sites, some are obviously closer than others.

The sites are well spaced and quite large. I greatly appreciated the crushed rock vs. sandy soil especially given the amount of rain we got during our stay. The camp hosts were helpful and definitely out and about throughout the day.

Sites have fire rings and large picnic tables, as well as flat space to pitch a tent or two depending on the size. There was some variance in the size of the sites, some of which required walking up a few steps from the parking spot to the site. Not a big deal but helpful to know if negotiating stairs is an issue for you.

Fresh water spigots are spaced between sites and there is one bath house with flush toilets. Note: there is no soap or paper towels/hand dryer in the restroom. Be prepared and bring your own.

Site16

Month of VisitSeptember

(12) View All

Michele S.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2020

Perfect little campground

I love this little campground. A great basecamp for many hikes in Evans Notch. All the sites are large, flat and the ones on the outer perimeter are vey private as they abut the woods. The fireplaces have a cool double decker grill for cooking. It was very quiet as most people are there to hike and fish. I'm definitely planning another trip back. Sites 9-10 had a little trail down to the pond.

Site14

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Basin Campground before visiting?

Yes, photos of Basin Campground are available through The Dyrt and the White Mountain National Forest official website. These images showcase the campground's scenic setting beside Basin Pond, the surrounding mountain views, and typical campsites. The photos highlight the natural beauty of the area, including the pond with its surrounding cliffs, the forested campsites, and the day-use picnic area. Viewing these photos before your trip will help you appreciate the campground's layout and natural setting.

Where is Basin Campground located in New Hampshire?

Basin Campground is located in Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest, situated on the border of New Hampshire and Maine. It sits beside picturesque Basin Pond and offers access to numerous hiking trails in the Evans Notch area. The campground is somewhat remote, with the closest large grocery store being a considerable drive away, making it a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts looking to explore the White Mountains.

How do I find a map of Basin Campground in NH?

Maps of Basin Campground are available through the White Mountain National Forest website and at ranger stations throughout the forest. The campground features a simple loop layout with 20 campsites and one central bathroom facility. For digital navigation, the USFS Interactive Visitor Map provides campground information and layout details. Since there's no cell service in the area, it's advisable to download or print maps before arrival. The campground hosts can also provide paper maps upon check-in.

What amenities are available at Basin Pond Campground?

Basin Campground offers basic amenities in a primitive setting. The facility includes bathroom facilities with showers, double-decker grills at each fireplace for cooking, and large, flat campsites. Some sites have electricity and water hookups, though many are primitive. The campground also features a day-use area with a boat launch and picnic area beside Basin Pond. Non-motorized boats are permitted on the water, and the pond serves as a swimming spot during summer months. There is no cell service for AT&T or Verizon within the campground area.

What do visitor reviews say about Basin Campground?

Basin Campground is widely appreciated for its peaceful, quiet atmosphere and beautiful natural setting next to Basin Pond. The 20 sites are described as large, flat, and well-maintained, with the outer perimeter sites offering excellent privacy adjacent to the woods. Campers highlight the excellent swimming in the pond, the surrounding scenic cliffs, and the abundant hiking opportunities directly accessible from the campground. The hosts are noted as pleasant and helpful, and the campground's cleanliness receives consistent praise. Many emphasize its value as a perfect basecamp for exploring the hiking trails of Evans Notch and the Wild River Wilderness.

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