Established Camping
Osceola Vista Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
White Mountain National Forest
Overview
Osceola Vista is a popular spot for group camping and is located near a host of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and golfing. Just minutes away, hiking enthusiasts will find the Sandwich Range Wilderness and 80 miles of the White Mountain National Forest's prime hiking trails. 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
Entrances to the Greeley Ponds National Scenic Area and Sandwich Range Wilderness are minutes away, much to the delight of hikers. Also convenient are two above tree-line hikes within eight minutes of the campground. Just a few miles away at Campton Campground, curious campers can attend evening educational programs. Those who need a break from the woods can visit the resort down the road. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Facilities
This small campground features large open sites designed for bigger than average camping parties and large organized groups (up to 30 or 60 people per site). A mix of group, standard and tent-only sites are organized around a single loop. Showers are available 10 minutes away at Campton Campground.
Natural Features
The campground lies amidst northern hardwood forests, giving campsites a mix of sun and shade. The area is surrounded by mountains and close to the Mad and Winnipesaukee Rivers. 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.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is located in close proximity to Waterville Valley Resort, which offers nightlife, summer concert tours, restaurants, horseback riding, canoeing, mountain bike rentals and shops.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Group campsites serves as a good hiking base
This is a no frills National Forest campground with pit toilets and running water that offers several group sites. Some are large, open, and grassy (with nice sky views), while others are much more compact spaces. The group nature means it can be loud, particularly on weekends, but it was nearly empty when I visited in June 2019. Consider it as an alternative to roadside camping along Tripoli Rd.
This is a great base for the several of the 4000-footers (Tecumseh, Osceola, Tripyramid),, the Sandwich range, or more family friendly hikes such as the Welch Dickey loop. Waterville valley offers biking. And if you want ice cream after a long day on the trail, head to the Bear's Den in Campton.
Note that Tripoli Rd is closed during winter through mud season, until the road has dried out and necessary repairs have been made. It may not open until late May, so be sure to check the White Mountai. National Forest FB page and website for updates early in the season.
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great for group camping
i stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.
This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.
campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.
Great, quiet, relaxing
Stayed here at the beginning of a shirt weekend backpacking trip. Nice campground with bathrooms and fresh drinking water. Close to trails and a nice stream nearby. Well kept and conveniently located, this may become my go-to White Mountains campsite!
Location
Osceola Vista Campground is located in New Hampshire
Directions
Take Highway 93 in New Hampshire to exit 28. Travel east on Highway 49 to Tripoli Road for 10 miles, and turn left onto Tripoli Road. Pass the Waterville Campground entrance sign, continue for 1.5 miles and bear right at the Mt. Tecumseh sign. Continue 1.6 miles to the Osceola Vista entrance on the right.
Address
WHITE MOUNTAIN
NH
Coordinates
43.97253475 N
71.51878491 W