5 Incredible Campgrounds to Explore in New Hampshire

Camping is just one of the many popular outdoor activities available in the scenic state of New Hampshire. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway with the family, a quiet place to relax in the woods, or a base camp for your hiking and paddling adventures, New Hampshire offers countless, incredible options to keep you exploring for a lifetime. With so many choices, choosing the right campground for your next adventure can be tough, so here are five of our favorites to get you started.

Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

Pawtuckaway’s campground is just one of the 20 beautiful campgrounds found in New Hampshire State Parks. Hike, bike, swim, paddle, fish, relax on the beach, or play on the playground. Burnham’s Marsh and trails offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and there is even a fire tower with a fantastic view on the summit of South Mountain. With so much to do in the park, you’ll need to camp to enjoy it all.

Bear Brook State Park Campground

What could be better than a campground with its own small, private beach just for campground guests? With opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddling, horseback riding, and mountain biking, Bear Brook State Park is a great family-friendly choice with plenty of amenities.

AMC’s Cardigan Campsites

Run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, these primitive, walk-in campsites are perfect for disconnecting from technology and reconnecting to nature. Enjoy the woods or meadow wildflowers at your campsite, swim in the small, nearby pond, and venture out on one of the many trails. This campground is perfect for bringing a group of friends on a backpacking adventure up to the High Cabin or for taking on the challenging Holt Trail route up Mount Cardigan.

Hancock Campground

Wooded sites? Check! Riverside sites? Check! Scenic views and trailheads nearby? Check! Hancock Campground is located along the famous Kancamagus Highway, where there is no shortage of roadside White Mountain overlooks and opportunities for adventure. Situated just outside the town of Lincoln and a half mile from the Lincoln Woods Trailhead, this primitive campground is both a hiker and tourist favorite!

Lafayette Place Campground

When proximity to multiple adventure options is key, this is your campground. Explore the Flume Gorge, ride the aerial tramway to Cannon Mountain’s summit, or enjoy a day of swimming and paddling at Echo Lake Beach. If hiking is your thing, you’re in luck! Lafayette Place is close to numerous hiking trails, including a handful of 4,000-footers, and some trails even leave right from the campground property.