9 Amazing Places To Go Tent Camping In New Hampshire


New Hampshire contains a vast wilderness that is great for views, outdoor activities, and of course, camping spots.

You’ve got quite a few attractions in New Hampshire as well: part of the Appalachian Trail, Mount Washington, and the White Mountain National Forest to name a few.

Interested in taking your tent out to some of the best camping spots in the Northeast?

Check out these amazing areas to go tent camping in New Hampshire.

1. Coleman State Park Campgrounds

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The campsites at Coleman State Park are nestled right next to the shore of Little Diamond Pond.

It makes for great views and even greater fishing.

Fishing and hunting enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of trout in Little Diamond Pond and the surrounding waterways.

You can also rent boats in the park if you wish to fish offshore.

What makes Coleman a really cool place to camp is the addition of their ATV camping sites.

Campers can leave their sites and head straight out onto the ATV trails.

There is a path connecting Coleman with Ride The Wilds, a system of over 1,000 miles of  interconnected trails, perfect for your off-road vehicle.

For those who don’t have an OHRV, rentals are available at the Ride The Wilds website.

2. Dry River Campground

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Dry River Campground is located in the heart of Crawford Notch State Park.

Within the park you’ll find all sorts of activities you can do, from hiking and mountain biking to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

There are also 36 campsites (8 tent only) just west of the Dry River.

While hiking at Crawford Notch you’ll find an abundance of scenic views, including waterfalls and a few mountain views.

And if you’re there between late May and early October don’t forget to stop and check out the famous Willey House, a beautiful early 20th century home that helped shape modern architecture.

3. Deer Mountain Campground

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The Deer Mountain Campgrounds have another name: Moose Alley.

That is because it is a prime location for moose viewing, and roam in abundance around the Connecticut Lakes State Forest (where the campgrounds are located).

The entire campground is primitive, consisting of 25 campsites.

You’ll find each site equipped with a firepit, picnic table, parking space, and flat ground for a tent (pit toilets are located throughout the park).

Take a quick hike north to find a trail leading to the Moose Falls Flowage, a small dam with some pretty great views along the Connecticut River.

The campground is also situated between the 2nd and 3rd Connecticut lakes, and only a few miles South of the Canadian border.

Deer Mountain is a great place to camp primitive with many sites to see within a few miles, great fishing, and awesome hiking.

4. Lost River Valley

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Lost River Valley is a privately-owned campground located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

What makes Lost River Valley so cool is not only the activities and amenities found within the campgrounds, but that it is really close to so many other popular attractions, including Clark’s Trading Post, Cannon Mountain, Lost River Gorge, and more.

Those looking to stay in the campgrounds can treat themselves to top-notch trout fishing, swimming and sunbathing at the swimming pond, and a look at a historic lumber mill with authentic water wheel.

And kids will love it here.

There’s a game room, sports courts, and playground equipment featuring a wooden pirate ship, train, and more.

Feel free to take a paddling trip in the river (kayaks and paddle boats are available for rent) with your kids or by yourself as well!

There is so much to do in and around Lost River Valley, it’s definitely worth taking a trip there.

5. Mollidgewock State Park

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Canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available for all skill levels along the Androscoggin River near Mollidgewock State Park.

Just like many other parks and campgrounds on this list, fishing enthusiasts will love the surrounding area.

The campgrounds are also located within the Thirteen Mile Woods Scenic Area, making it a very popular place for watching moose and other wildlife viewing.

Pack accordingly when coming to this primitive tenting campground, as only water and pit toilets are available (you can purchase wood and ice in the campgrounds if you need it).

And if you fancy a paddle before setting up shop, there are remote and canoe-to sites to travel to, with canoe and kayak rentals available.

If you enjoy spending some leisure time watching wildlife, paddling, or fishing, Mollidgewock is a wonderful getaway for you.

6. Lake Francis State Park

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These campgrounds get their name from being located right on the shores of the 2,000 acre Lake Francis.

Canoeing is big in the lake, and hunters and anglers come set up basecamp here to enjoy your respective activities.

Similar to Coleman State Park, ATV camping sites are available, and the campgrounds offer direct access to the 1,000 miles of interconnected OHRV trails that Ride The Wilds offers.

The walking trails in the campgrounds make for a great place for a hike or snowshoe session.

And if you don’t feel like doing anything, sit out by the lake and enjoy the views or head over to relax on the Connecticut River.

7. Seven Maples Campground

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Seven Maples is a family owned and operated campground located just a short drive from Mount Monadnock.

Camping of all types is welcomed and accommodated here at Seven Maples.

Kids can enjoy the playground and water area, complete with waterslides and sprinklers to cool off in.

There is also a heated pool ready to be relaxed in!

If you want to venture out, kayak rentals are available and you can through Moose Brook out to Norway Pond for some great views.

And Monadnock State Park can be found just 13 miles from the campground, complete with 40 miles of beautiful hiking trails, an over 3,000 foot mountain summit, and a variety of scenic areas.

Other places near Seven Maples include: Monadnock Speedway, The Friendly Farm, Sheiling Forest, Rhododendron State Park, and more.

Be sure to check out the website if you plan to stay on the weekends as the owners of the campground like to host special theme weekends for extra fun!

8. Glen Ellis Campground

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Boasting a picturesque camping experience, Glen Ellis Campground can be found in the heart of Mount Washington Valley.

The mountain views are beautiful here.

And the campsites vary from riverfront to wooded and a few in between.

Hiking through the Mount Washington Valley will provide you with a range of scenic views and things to do, from hidden swimming holes to mountaintops to underground caves.

There are thousands of miles of hiking trails to enjoy in the valley.

The swimming and paddling opportunities are in abundance, with the campgrounds being nestled in between the Saco and Ellis rivers.

Kayaking is a huge attraction at the campgrounds, and if you’re feeling like just relaxing you can simply float down the rivers on a tube.

If you just feel like a closer swim, take a dip in the swimming pool located in the campgrounds.

After a full day out in the water, come back to a fun night in the campground arcade, complete with prize machines, a pool table, air hockey, and more!

Glen Ellis campgrounds is an awesome place to camp at by yourself or with your family.

9. Bear Brook State Park

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If you haven’t noticed, New Hampshire camping sites nearly always have a body of water nearby to enjoy.

And Bear Brook State Park campgrounds is no different.

Bear Brook can be found in the southeast region of New Hampshire, and is also the largest developed state park in the state, with over 10,000 acres of land to explore.

Enjoy over 40 miles of trails through heavy forest leading to marshes, bogs, summits, and ponds.

Swimming and fishing are of course available at the park, with boat rentals available and Archery Pond being a great place for fly fishing within the park.

If you’re an experienced archer or looking to try out archery, there are 2 archery ranges available for use within the park.

Just make sure to bring your own archery equipment as rentals aren’t available!

For a unique place to camp, check out Smith Pond Shelter: a lean-to shelter built in 1937 that overlooks Smith Pond.

Where’s Your Favorite Place To Tent Camp In NH?

There you have it, 9 amazing places to go tent camping in New Hampshire.

You’ll find beautiful views, awesome wildlife, and a ton of water activities within the campgrounds we mentioned.

Are there any places you like to go camping in New Hampshire that weren’t mentioned?

Let me know in the comments below!

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