Cozy campsites with showers, playgrounds, and pools have their place – but if you live in New Hampshire you’d be remiss to not leave it all behind and go rustic once in a while. These 7 camping spots deliver – they’re all safe and maintained but offer little in the way of creature comforts. However, they’ll make up for all of that when you’re staring up at the gorgeous stars and enjoying the quiet sounds of birds in the trees.
- Mollidgewock State Park, Errol
Flickr/Mark Bonica This under-appreciated park is tucked into the Thirteen Mile Woods Scenic Area, on the banks of the Androscoggin River. The campground doesn’t offer much in the way of luxuries, though it does offer pit toilets, drinking water, and canoe and kayak rentals. It’s a perfect place to set up to enjoy paddling or fishing on the river.
2, Umbagog Lake State Park, Cambridge
TripAdvisor/JacqB510 Umbagog Lake State Park, is already fairly far from it all - but if you really don’t want to run into anyone, choose one of their remote campsites, which are only accessible by boat. You’re certain to see plenty of wildlife in this park too.
- Waterville Campground, Waterville Valley
Yelp/Cathy D. This spot is a great base if you want to explore the Pemigewasset Wilderness - just don’t expect any frills. It’s in a thick forest and has only basic restroom facilities.
- 13 Falls Tentsite, Lincoln
AllTrails/AllTrails User This very rustic AMC tentsite is located on the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area, at the junction of Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, and Twin Brook Trail. As you can imagine, that makes it a perfect basecamp for hiking adventures - and it takes a good bit of hiking to get to it, so this is definitely not car camping - and you’ll need to be prepared to purify your water.
- Pillsbury State Park, Washington
Flickr/Christina Minniti This campground is heavily wooded, and you’re very likely to hear the call of the loons on its ponds through the trees as you fall asleep. It has pit toilets but not much in the way of other amenities - so it’s a perfect place to get away from it all.
- Passaconaway Campground, Albany
Yelp/Luke P. Despite the fact that it isn’t far from all the tourist attractions of Conway, this campground is quite rustic. It doesn’t take reservations, so it’s perfect for a last minute weekend getaway.
- Hermit Lake Shelters, Mount Washington
Flickr/gthor If you’re climbing Mount Washington, these AMC shelters are the place to stop. You’ll need to hike there, and while you’ll find shelters, running water, and flush toilets, you’ll need to carry in all your supplies on your back.
Have you been to any of these spots? Where’s your favorite place to get away from it all in New Hampshire?
Flickr/Mark Bonica
This under-appreciated park is tucked into the Thirteen Mile Woods Scenic Area, on the banks of the Androscoggin River. The campground doesn’t offer much in the way of luxuries, though it does offer pit toilets, drinking water, and canoe and kayak rentals. It’s a perfect place to set up to enjoy paddling or fishing on the river.
TripAdvisor/JacqB510
Umbagog Lake State Park, is already fairly far from it all - but if you really don’t want to run into anyone, choose one of their remote campsites, which are only accessible by boat. You’re certain to see plenty of wildlife in this park too.
Yelp/Cathy D.
This spot is a great base if you want to explore the Pemigewasset Wilderness - just don’t expect any frills. It’s in a thick forest and has only basic restroom facilities.
AllTrails/AllTrails User
This very rustic AMC tentsite is located on the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area, at the junction of Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, and Twin Brook Trail. As you can imagine, that makes it a perfect basecamp for hiking adventures - and it takes a good bit of hiking to get to it, so this is definitely not car camping - and you’ll need to be prepared to purify your water.
Flickr/Christina Minniti
This campground is heavily wooded, and you’re very likely to hear the call of the loons on its ponds through the trees as you fall asleep. It has pit toilets but not much in the way of other amenities - so it’s a perfect place to get away from it all.
Yelp/Luke P.
Despite the fact that it isn’t far from all the tourist attractions of Conway, this campground is quite rustic. It doesn’t take reservations, so it’s perfect for a last minute weekend getaway.
Flickr/gthor
If you’re climbing Mount Washington, these AMC shelters are the place to stop. You’ll need to hike there, and while you’ll find shelters, running water, and flush toilets, you’ll need to carry in all your supplies on your back.
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