Family Camping in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s White Mountains are filled with activities for families. They offer a mix of fun parks, mountain rides and other tourist attractions as well as an abundance of outdoor options. Much of the land is protected by national forests and state parks, which offer families another option that combines lodging with outdoor fun.

New Hampshire, Lost River Valley Family Campground, North Woodstock. Photo: Stillman Rogers

Camping is a great way to maximize your family’s time doing things together, letting nature and camp activities like cooking and building campfires be the entertainment. Many campgrounds include planned activities, like nature programs, campfire storytelling and playgrounds. These are some favorite White Mountain camping spots our family enjoyed;

Lafayette Place

Surrounded by the natural attractions of Franconia Notch, one of several scenic mountain passes in the White Mountains, Lafayette Place is in a state park that also includes the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, a swimming beach at Echo Lake and the geological attractions of Flume Gorge and The Basin. Hiking trails lead to waterfalls and stiffer mountain climbs, and the popular attractions of Clark’s Trading Post and Whales Tales Water Park are just down the road. Large wooded campsites accommodate tents and RVs and all have fireplaces. Free nature programs help campers learn more about the region’s plants, wildlife and geology.

White Lake

Lakeside campsites in White Lake State Park are shaded by tall pine trees, and the sandy beach is a big hit with kids. The campground is one of the biggest, with more than 200 campsites, and you can rent boats to explore the lake. Lifeguards are on duty at the busiest times. A nature trail goes around the lake where you can see beaver houses and even spot loons. Mt Chocorua, which you can see across the lake, is a popular day climb for families. New Hampshire State Parks allow two adults and four children per site, with an additional charge for extra people.

Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire. Photo: Stillman Rogers

Blackberry Crossing

On the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, Blackberry Crossing and the neighboring Jigger Johnson are in White Mountain National Forest, with large, well-spaced tent sites surrounded by forest. Trails up Mt. Chocorua and several other peaks begin close to the campground, and there’s a popular river swimming spot close by. These national forest campgrounds don’t have ranger nature programs, playgrounds or other activities, but give more of a wilderness experience (although they are close to towns and popular attractions). You cannot reserve sites at either campground.

Lost River Valley

Although Lost River Valley Campground is privately owned, the White Mountain National Forest surrounds it. Nicely spaced campsites are along a small river, known for the nearby Lost River Gorge, where it disappears under giant glacially tumbled boulders. Lost River Valley has more facilities than most state park campgrounds, with a small, well-stocked camp store, a playground with a wooden train to climb on, a game room and courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton. At the small, sandy swimming beach are paddleboat and kayak rentals.

Huttopia. Photo: Stillman Rogers

Huttopia

If you don’t have camping equipment and would like to try outdoor living for your family vacation, consider glamping at Huttopia. With a lot of the work already done for you, you can move into your family-sized, safari-style tent without having to unpack and set up a campsite. Tents are furnished with beds, bedding, electricity and refrigerators. Larger tents have two curtained bedrooms, indoor bathrooms and mini kitchens with a sink and kitchen utensils. All sites have gas cook stoves, picnic tables and fire rings. The tiled swimming pool and terrace with café tables, as well as the food wagon with breakfast crepes, espresso, ice cream and pizza, make it seem more like a posh resort than a campground.