Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in New Hampshire (With Travel Guide)

New Hampshire, known as the "Granite State," is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering stunning mountain landscapes, pristine lakes, dense forests, and charming New England towns. From the majestic White Mountains to serene alpine lakes and historic covered bridges, New Hampshire provides a diverse range of camping experiences for every adventurer.

Whether you're seeking mountain hikes, lakefront relaxation, or fall foliage views, New Hampshire has some of the most beautiful and accessible camping destinations in the Northeast.

Below are the 10 best camping destinations in New Hampshire, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice

1. Franconia Notch State Park (Franconia) – White Mountains & Flume Gorge
🏔️ Highlights:
Franconia Ridge (iconic mountain hiking with panoramic views)
Flume Gorge (natural granite gorge with walking trails)
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (scenic ski lift & summit views)
Echo Lake Beach (swimming & kayaking)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (70-80°F) - warm but cool at higher elevations
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Franconia Notch State Park Campgrounds (near Lincoln & Woodstock)
Franconia (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Lincoln (15 mins) & North Woodstock (10 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Franconia Ridge is strenuous—prepare for steep trails
Flume Gorge can be crowded in summer
Weather changes quickly—pack layers & rain gear

2. Lake Winnipesaukee (Meredith) – Largest Lake in New Hampshire
🏖️ Highlights:
72-square-mile lake (boating, swimming & fishing)
Weirs Beach (family-friendly amusement park & beach)
Wolfeboro (America’s oldest summer resort town)
Island hopping & scenic cruises
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds & foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Lake Winnipesaukee Campgrounds (Weirs Beach, Alton Bay)
Meredith (10 mins) has supermarkets & lodging
Concord (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer

3. Mount Monadnock (Jaffrey) – Most Climbed Mountain in the U.S.
🏔️ Highlights:
Monadnock Mountain (easy-to-moderate hikes with 360° views)
Rocky ledges & scenic vistas
Fall foliage & wildflower hikes
Historic summit house (seasonal)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer (70-80°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Nearby Jaffrey & Dublin campgrounds
Jaffrey (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Keene (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Popular trail—start early to avoid crowds
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
Bring water & snacks—no food vendors on the mountain

4. White Mountain National Forest (Bretton Woods) – Alpine Adventure
🏔️ Highlights:
Franconia Range, Presidential Range & Mount Washington (highest peak in NE)
Crawford Notch & Pinkham Notch (scenic drives & hiking)
Mount Washington Cog Railway (historic steam train ride)
Wildlife (moose, black bears, deer)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–October (best for hiking, 40-70°F)
Summer (60-70°F) - cool at higher elevations
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (40-60°F) - snow possible at higher elevations
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: White Mountain National Forest Campgrounds (Bretton Woods, Crawford Notch)
Bretton Woods (10 mins) has lodges & restaurants
North Conway (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Mount Washington has extreme weather—check forecasts
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Trails can be rocky & steep—wear sturdy shoes

5. Lake Winnisquam (Laconia) – Second-Largest Lake in New Hampshire
🏞️ Highlights:
Boating, fishing & swimming
Gunstock Mountain Resort (skiing & mountain biking)
Scenic shoreline & quiet coves
Wildlife (ducks, geese, loons)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds & foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Lake Winnisquam Campgrounds (Belmont, Sanbornton)
Laconia (15 mins) has supermarkets & lodging
Concord (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer

6. Pawtuckaway State Park (Nottingham) – Lakes & Rocky Islands
🏕️ Highlights:
Pawtuckaway Lake & Little Bay (swimming, kayaking & fishing)
Rocky islands & cliffs (unique geology)
Hiking & mountain biking trails
Wildlife (deer, turkeys, bald eagles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for outdoor activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Pawtuckaway State Park Campgrounds
Nottingham (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Manchester (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer

7. Bretton Woods (Bretton Woods) – Mountain Resorts & Scenic Views
🏔️ Highlights:
Mount Washington Hotel (historic luxury resort)
Bretton Woods Ski Resort (winter sports)
Crawford Notch (scenic drive & hiking)
Wildlife (moose, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–October (best for hiking, 40-70°F)
Summer (60-70°F) - cool at higher elevations
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage (mid-Sept to Oct)
Winter (Dec–March) - skiing & snowshoeing (20-40°F)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Nearby Bretton Woods campgrounds
Bretton Woods (central hub) has lodges & restaurants
North Conway (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Mount Washington has extreme weather—check forecasts
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Trails can be rocky & steep—wear sturdy shoes

8. Odiorne Point State Park (Rye) – Seacoast Cliffs & Beaches
🏖️ Highlights:
Seacoast cliffs & rocky beaches
Historic World War II bunkers
Hiking & birdwatching trails
Wildlife (seagulls, seals, ospreys)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for beach visits, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm but breezy
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Nearby Rye & Portsmouth campgrounds
Rye (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Portsmouth (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Ocean swimming can be cold even in summer
Winds can be strong on the cliffs
Bring sunscreen & layered clothing

9. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (Holderness) – Wildlife & Lakeside Camping
🦌 Highlights:
Squam Lakes (boating, kayaking & fishing)
Loon Center & wildlife exhibits
Hiking & nature trails
Wildlife (loons, beavers, otters)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–October (best for outdoor activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Nearby Holderness & Ashland campgrounds
Holderness (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Concord (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes are active in summer

10. Kancamagus Highway (Lincoln) – Scenic Fall Foliage Drive
🍂 Highlights:
One of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in the U.S.
Hiking trails (Franconia Notch, Sabbaday Falls)
Waterfalls & scenic overlooks
Wildlife (moose, deer, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
September–October (best for foliage, 40-70°F)
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning colors (mid-Sept to Oct)
Summer (60-80°F) - green mountains & fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - blooming wildflowers
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Nearby Lincoln & Woodstock campgrounds
Lincoln (15 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
North Woodstock (10 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Road can be busy in peak foliage season
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
Moose crossings are common—drive carefully
Final Tips for Camping in New Hampshire
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer & fall (especially near lakes & mountains)
✔ Black bears are common—secure food properly
✔ Weather changes quickly—pack layers, rain gear & sun protection
✔ Remote areas require self-sufficiency—bring extra supplies

New Hampshire’s mountains, lakes, and forests offer unforgettable camping adventures. Whether you want alpine hikes, lakefront relaxation, or fall foliage views, these 10 destinations will give you an unforgettable New Hampshire outdoor experience. 🏕️🌲🍁