Established Camping
Waterville Campground
About
National Forest
White Mountain National Forest
Overview
Waterville Campground is a popular home base for hikers who want to explore the southern White Mountains, including the scenic Pemigewasset Wilderness. The tremendous choice of local attractions and the proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities - fishing, swimming, hiking and whitewater paddling to name a few - bring campers back to Waterville again and again. 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 are drawn to the many trails in the area. Campers can easily access the Drakes Brook Trail (4.4 miles) and Sandwich Trail (3.9 miles), which form a loop that begins and ends near the campground. Water sports include fishing and kayaking. Anglers can cast a line for brook trout in the Mad River. A bit farther away is the Winnipesaukee River, which has a great 2.1-mile category I-II section of whitewater. Other activities such as summer concerts, a swimming area, golf course and the Gunstock ski resort are close by. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Facilities
A mix of standard and tent-only sites are well-spaced around a single loop. The facility provides the basic amenities of restrooms and drinking water. Many other amenities such as showers and laundry facilities are within a short drive.
Natural Features
The campground sits in a thick forest of northern hardwood trees, adjacent to the Mad River and surrounded by mountains. 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
Campers may want to take an afternoon to visit Gilford Beach, Dixon Point and Sandwich Beach, all near Waterville Campground. The facility is also close to Waterville Valley Resort, which offers night life, summer concert tours, restaurants, horseback riding, canoeing, mountain bike rentals and shops. The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileFair
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
Nice quiet spot
Stayed 4 nights mid week- weekend. Big wioded sites with some privacy. 1 mile hike into Waterville Town Square. It's bear country so plan accordingly
- (9) View All
Beautiful but Bears
The camp honestly is really nice and well maintained. Some Verizon work and vault toilets. 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 (they have been beam bagging the bears). The next night I felt my camper sway and a handle jiggle, so I set my car alarm off to scare whatever away. Can’t say for sure it was a bear visitor but what else can move a trailer? I left 3 days early… couldn’t shake the feeling of bears coming in and out.
Great Spots, very clean, first come first serve, open campsites
The gentlemen working is very nice.. you can tell he cares about the place.. we found a funky cool trail that’s a quick hike, dog and kid friendly.. will deffinitly be coming back
Location
Waterville Campground is located in New Hampshire
Directions
From Highway 93, take exit 28. Follow Highway 49 east for 10 miles, then turn left on Tripoli Road. The campground is 0.25 miles on the left.
Address
WHITE MOUNTAIN
NH
Coordinates
43.9419444 N
71.5091667 W