Discover the best waterside campgrounds in New Hampshire

United States
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New Hampshire

95% (4871 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New Hampshire

Dog-friendly getaways

4 top waterside campgrounds in New Hampshire

99%

(68)

Waterfront Woodsy Glamping

5 sites · Lodging27 acres · Bennington, NH

Find some info and links to a few of the unique accommodations on our property, in Southern NH, which is 27 acres on the Contoocook River and Powder Mill Pond. Be it swimming, kayaking, boating, sunning, hiking, biking, or fishing; spectacular fall foliage, and bird watching or winter sports like skiing, boarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing,....take time out to enjoy what nature has to offer to the fullest, right here in your new backyard. Explore nature’s wonderland; starting with 27 acres of woods and waterfront beauty on Powder Mill Pond and the Contoocook River. During the warmer weather, you can hop in one of the kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats, (on-site for a small rental fee), sunbathe on the refreshing 30 ft. lily pad, or simply relax in the swing or hammock looking out over Mount Monadnock. During the winter, cross country ski, ice skate or fish or strap-on a pair of the complimentary snowshoes, ...while year round, enjoy sharing s’mores and stories by the fire pit!

Browns Ridge Family Farm!

6 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Ossipee, NH

We are one of the first farms in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and was originally the first stage coach stop for the area. Our house built in 1750s and at one point had hundreds of acres passed down which were passed down from a kings grant The original area was named after the original settlers, the Browns. Our house was also tavern in the beginning. This property has only passed hands through 4 families and remained with the Browns for most of its life. It has stayed as a farm for most of its tenure. We own 40 acres of pasture and woods and would love for you to come stay!

Grateful Ledge Lake House

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Lempster, NH

We named our new home Grateful Ledge because of the abundance of stunning NH ledge on the property, and we are grateful we can share this magical place with our guests. This place was thoughtfully designed to make memories with family and friends, all while immersing yourself in nature and the area. Enjoy the beach/lake access, hiking trails, crystal clean water, sunsets, and more. You’ll have the entire home to yourself to enjoy Long Pond and appreciate all that you are grateful for. And... we might really like The Grateful Dead.

Huttopia White Mountains

3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Albany, NH

Less than a 2.5 hour drive from downtown Boston and convenient to the trailheads, scenic views and swimming holes of the White Mountain National Forest, Huttopia White Mountains is an ideal place to escape to nature. Wake up and head out on an adventure, or stay and enjoy a swim in Iona Lake from our beach. There’s also our heated saltwater pool and plenty of freshly made meals to enjoy from our unique on-site bistro – we converted an old Airstream trailer and equipped it with a full commercial kitchen and even flatbread pizza oven! Couples and families alike will find plenty to explore on site, with additional attractions located conveniently nearby, including the shops and outlets of North Conway, tubing on the Saco River and the scenic vistas all along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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(16)

Franconia Notch State Park

Lincoln, New Hampshire

100%

(3)

Lake Francis State Park

New Hampshire

100%

(1)

Jericho Mountain State Park

Berlin, New Hampshire

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterside camping in New Hampshire guide

Overview

Home to Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the northeast, and brimming with lakes, rivers, and miles of hiking trails, New Hampshire serves up four-season fun for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, fishing, and swimming in summer to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing in winter, New Hampshire has something for every type of traveler whether you’re going solo or looking for a family adventure. New Hampshire state parks offer a wide variety of camping experiences from primitive tent sites to lakeside RV spots with prime mountain views.

Where to go

Mount Washington

Sitting at 6,288 feet in eastern New Hampshire, Mount Washington is the tallest peak in New England, famous for its extreme weather. (The highest recorded wind speed outside of a tornado, 231 miles per hour, was measured at the Mount Washington Observatory atop the summit.) Mount Washington is on the Appalachian Trail and visitors can hike, drive, or take the Mount Washington Cog Railway up to the summit.

Franconia Notch State Park

In the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park is one of the most family-friendly state parks in New Hampshire and packed with natural wonders including Flume Gorge, Cloudland Falls, and Echo Lake. Lafayette Place Campground is a nice family campground right in the center of the park, near many trailheads and top sights, with a camp store and 97 campsites ideal for tent campers. Nearby Cannon Mountain RV Park offers seven RV sites with full hook-ups and a dump station.

White Mountain National Forest

The 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest offers some of the best camping in the state. Renowned for its mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and stunning fall foliage, the park is home to over a thousand miles of trails that weave through the rugged terrain for hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Overnight visitors will find 23 national forest campgrounds, backcountry huts, and cabin rentals.

When to go

Summer through early fall is the best time for camping, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking in New Hampshire. Snow tends to linger on peaks into early June, and mosquitoes can be the most troublesome in July. Fall, when the changing leaves are at their peak, is an especially popular time to visit. Be sure to make camping reservations during this time well in advance. Some New Hampshire state park campgrounds, including Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch, remain open year-round, although off-season services are limited.

Know before you go

Camping reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance online or over the phone for New Hampshire state parks. Rates vary by the campground, with senior rates available. Monadnock State Park, Bear Brook State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, and White Lake State Park feature some of the most popular New Hampshire campgrounds; advanced reservations are strongly recommended.
Many New Hampshire state parks have pet restrictions. Some do not allow them at all and others prohibit them on beaches, swimming areas, and picnic areas.
Numerous backcountry campsites and shelters exist in the White Mountains. Most are free to use as long as you adhere to White Mountain National Forest backcountry camping rules.
Weather in New Hampshire can be challenging and unpredictable. Come prepared with rain gear and extra layers, even in summer.