Best Camping in New Hampshire

Camping in New Hampshire

By Alex Murphy

New Hampshire is nicknamed the Granite State and for a good reason. The state's skyline is covered in granite rocks and mountains and is a great place for anyone who loves the outdoors. With mountains, forests, and even ocean access, New Hampshire attracts visitors from more than just its neighboring New England states.

Here's a look at the best parts and campsites to check out for anyone looking to visit New Hampshire.

See a map of all camping in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire State Parks

The Granite State is one of the smallest states in the country, but that does not stop there from being nearly 100 New Hampshire State Parks. While some parks highlight historic spots or a lake, others cover massive areas and can be more than 10,000 acres in size.

For White Mountains camping, many visit Franconia Notch State Park. The popular destination is in the state's White Mountain region and provides easy access to summit hikes and other adventures. Campgrounds in the park include Lafayette Place, a good option for tent sites, and Cannon Mountain RV Park for RV sites.

Another State Park with water access to enjoy boating and fishing is Greenfield State Park.

Finally, just north of the Massachusetts state line is Hampton Beach State Park where visitors can stay just feet from the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the beach and fishing.

New Hampshire National Parks

States in New England come with a lot of history. The Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site gives an inside look to the summer home of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a famous sculptor. Many of his pieces remain on-site, and visitors can see them while they tour the property.

The home is located in Cornish, NH, and many campgrounds can be found just over the state line in Vermont.

New Hampshire RV Parks

With a lot of wilderness to explore, there are plenty of places to rest at New Hampshire RV Parks. In the northern part of the state near the White Mountains is Fransted Family Campground. The campground is known for being both kid and pet-friendly, plus it has easy access to mountain hikes.

Further south in the state is Ashuelot River Campground, with RV sites and tent camping spots right along the river. Visitors can enjoy kayaking and canoeing and nearby fishing.

Free Camping in New Hampshire

Most free camping in New Hampshire can be found in the White Mountain National Forest. Campgrounds like Haystack Road provide easy access to the nearby wilderness. Keep in mind some spots are fairly rural and not always RV and trailer-friendly.

Those passing through the state of NH, heading up to Maine or down to Boston, can stay over the state line and off of I-95 at Kittery Trading Post in Maine.

National Forests in New Hampshire

Anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is looking for New Hampshire campgrounds off the beaten path should check out the White Mountain National Forest. It goes through New Hampshire into Maine and is known for one of the hardest parts of the Appalachian Trail and its mountains over 4,000 feet.

Nearby campgrounds can be found in the forest like Gale River Loop Road, which is easy to access but heavily wooded, providing great privacy, or Russell Pond Campground for those looking to fish.