Public areas protect the White Mountains, which comprise the highest point in the northeastern United States, including great views for camping in New Hampshire in state parks and the White Mountain National Forest’s enormous sweep.
Each of these campgrounds has hundreds of campsites for tents and RVs, with various amenities ranging from quite simple sites to those in more established parks.
These White Mountain campgrounds are particularly popular because they are adjacent to good hiking and mountain climbing opportunities, as well as some of New Hampshire’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Mount Washington Cog Railway and other summit rides.
Several state parks and private campers are on lakes with swimming beaches and water activities elsewhere in the state.
Summary
| Guide | Camping in New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Things to bring | Tent, torch, etc. |
| Campgrounds | Sugarloaf Campgrounds, and more |
| Best places to visit | Strawbery Banke, and more |
| Situated | U.S. |
Camping In New Hampshire
1. Lafayette Place Campground
The Lafayette Place Campground, part of Franconia Notch State Park, is in the heart of one of New Hampshire’s two most scenic notches.
Glacially carved mountain passes make it an ideal base for hiking (the Appalachian Trail passes through the notch) and exploring many natural attractions of the White Mountains.
Between high peaks of the Kinsman and Franconia mountains, there are many different attractions and stuff to do like The Flume Gorge, several waterfalls that are astonishing to look at while you are spotting hawks and hawks and also a swimming beach at Echo Lake if you are up for some swimming, and so on.
Interpretive nature programs are free and assist campers of all ages in learning more about the region’s natural environment.
Address: 2 Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH 03580
2. Sugarloaf Campgrounds
The Sugarloaf I and Sugarloaf II are twin campsites administered by the US Forest Service.
Most campsites are spacious and well-separated, with well-designed fire rings for cooking over an open fire.
Because Sugarloaf II has a hand pump, most campers just use Sugarloaf I to get water from it, which has spigots.
These places are popular with campers in well-spaced sites’ secluded vibe or the lack of showers.
Address: Zealand Roadd, off US Route 302, Twin Mountain, New Hampshire
Read: Camping In Maine
3. Umbagog Lake Campground
Lake Umbagog is in both Maine and New Hampshire, and for many people, it is one of the best spots to kayak in New England.
The majority of it is in the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, part of a New Hampshire state park.
There are 27 tent or RV sites with power and water hookups, 33 isolated sites around the lake that you can only access by boat, and three chalets at the lakefront campsite.
You can rent canoes, and rowboats, also the park can offer transportation to isolated locations. Swimming is possible on the beach, and fishing is excellent.
The park is also well-known for animal viewing, with moose, deer, small mammals, eagles, and a variety of other birds frequently seen.
Address: 235 East Route 26, Cambridge, New Hampshire
4. Dry River Campground
In the center of the White Mountains, Crawford Notch State Park is home to Dry River Campground, a tiny pet-friendly campground.
There are three dozen tent sites within a woodland environment, some of which feature lean-tos.
There are showers and laundry facilities on-site, as well as flush toilets. On-site firewood is also available for purchase.
There are no connections for RVs. The Willey House Snack Bar and Gift Shop is three miles from the campsite by automobile.
Or else guests may stroll 2.5 miles to the Willey House along the Saco River Trail.
Address: 1464 US Route 302, Hunts Location, New Hampshire
Best Places To Visit Near New Hampshire
Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch
The Flume Gorge is an 800-foot-long crevice in the granite near the base of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park.
Its walls tower 70 to 80 feet above the creek that runs through it, and a boardwalk barely feet above the water allows you to stroll along with it.
When the mile-high sheet of ice that produced the notch melted, torrents of water poured down the valley, cutting a 20-foot smooth-bottomed dip into the mountain’s solid granite.
Follow the signs to The Basin, where the now-harmless Pemigewasset River continues the 10,000-year-old process.
In 1938, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, North America’s first aerial tramway, took its first passengers to the 4,080-foot top high above Franconia Notch.
Strawbery Banke
The earliest settlement in what is now Portsmouth was Strawbery Banke in 1623.
The 10-acre Strawbery Banke Museum features residences from the ancient port area dating back four centuries.
In some, there is restoration work and furnished to depict living in different times.
In contrast, others did not change to demonstrate building principles and restoration techniques.
These were particularly useful to people who are repairing historic houses.
Costumed interpreters show you cooking, crafts, and talents from various times, and you may witness those interpreters building actual boats.
The houses range in age from an affluent merchant and political leader’s residence to a 1950s duplex.
Also they represent a variety of nationalities that had lived in the area.
Read: Camping In California
Checklist Before Camping In New Hampshire
Regardless of whatever route you choose, your journey will take you through breathtaking scenery, with towering mountains beckoning, warm seas beckoning, and unique attractions luring you off the beaten path for an unexpected adventure.
You’ll want to be ready for everything with so much to see and do! That’s why we’ve put up the best packing list for your New Hampshire road trip so that you can focus on the fun rather than the planning.
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Swimwear
- Blanket
- Hiking Boots or Shoes
- Bug Spray
- Clothing Layers
- Light Backpack or Cinch Sack
- Water Bottle
- Tent
- Warm Sleeping Bag and Pillow
- Cooking Supplies
- Flashlight & Lantern
FAQ
Can you camp without having to pay in New Hampshire?
Depending on the campground to campground, you might need to pay some fee to stay and camp there, but there might be some free campgrounds.
Is New Hampshire A Safe Place For Camping?
New Hampshire is a relatively safe state, and the same goes for its campgrounds unless you go too wild deep in the forests.
How many people can come in altogether for camping in New Hampshire?
This solely depends on the campground you choose to camp in.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.