The 5 Best Places To Camp In New Hampshire This Summer

New Hampshire is one of the smaller northeastern states, but with the White Pine Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee, and a sliver of coastline on the Atlantic there are plenty of great places for camping. Here are the 5 best places to camp in New Hampshire this summer!

1. Hampton Beach State Park: Hampton Beach RV Park

One of the most popular places to visit in New Hampshire in the summer is the beaches on the coast. There are multiple beaches and camping options but one of the best in the Hampton Beach RV Park, there is even a lottery to earn a spot due to the popularity. When you see photos of the RV’s lined up right on the shore of the Hampton River where it meets the Atlantic you can see why!

There are 28 campsites with sites 1-15 Riverside. The campground has restrooms, showers (cold) and a camp store for your convenience. Can you imagine sitting in your camp chair, sipping a cup of coffee while watching a pod of dolphins swim by or maybe a humpback whale lurching out of the water to splash back in the ocean. Definitely one of the best places to camp in New Hampshire this summer!

2. White Mountain National Forest: Lafayette Place Campground

Located in north central New Hampshire, the White Mountain National Forest has 800,000 acres of forest for hiking, climbing and camping. One of the nicest campgrounds in the area is the Lafayette Place Campground, just south of Franconia.  You can visit the Flume Gorge and walk along the boardwalks and covered bridges to see if you spot any squirrels, chipmunks or rabbits along the trail. There are massive glacial boulders, and waterfalls like Avalanche Falls, which has a wooden walkway right next to it so you can get an up close and personal look at the rushing falls.

The campground has 97 sites, all suited for tent camping in nicely wooded areas. There are restrooms, coin showers and a small camp store. Be ready for some of the best hiking and mountain views in the whole state!

3. Field And Stream RV Park

Located just three miles north of Massachusetts near the Merrimack Premium Outlets is the Field and Stream RV Park. Although it is close to shopping, antique malls and restaurants the campground itself is nestled in the woods nest to a small fishing pond (catch and release, bluegill, sunfish, bass). A stream flows through the park and there are a few sites right along the stream. The campground is RV only, no tent sites and many of the guests are seasonal/long-term campers. There are restrooms and showers on-site and the park is very dog friendly with a small dog park. Just a friendly, easy-going place to camp in New Hampshire this summer.

4. Manchester: Calef Lake Campground

Manchester, NH is the most populated city in New Hampshire which is right on the Merrimack River. You can spend a morning at the Currier Museum of Art, then check out the Zimmerman House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and grab dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants downtown before heading back to your campsite. One of the closest campgrounds to Manchester is Calef Lake, which is only 10 minutes out of town, SE of the city. Within minutes you can be at the sandy beach swimming out to the floating raft and jumping on the water trampoline. There are a variety of campsites and accommodations including primitive, secluded tent camping as well as RV sites with full hookups. If you don’t want to “rough it” there are cabins, glamping tents and vacation homes available to rent.

5. Lake Winnipesaukee: Harbor Hill Camping Area

The largest lake in New Hampshire is Lake Winnipesaukee, located just an hour north of Manchester. This is the place to be for some of the best fishing in the state. Both landlocked salmon (they don’t migrate to the ocean) and rainbow trout are stocked each year. There are also smallmouth bass and largemouth bass located in the warmer waters. To camp close to the lake you can stay at Harbor Hill Camping Area just NE of Lake Winni.

The campground has RV sites and a tent camping area but you have to check out the 2 classic “log cabins in the woods,” both set in a private site amongst the pines. There are also 2 yurt tents for rent if you want to try camping in a little different setting. All of the campsites have picnic tables and fire rings and the RV/Tent sites have water and electricity. There is a swimming pool and game room for you to enjoy. After a day of fishing or just hanging out at the beach on Lake Winni, sit back and relax at a campfire. Another one of the best places to camp in New Hampshire this summer!