The Best Places to Camp in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire

There are so many places to visit and explore over 800,000 acres in New Hampshire's White Mountains National Forest. Whether you are coming throughout the White Mountains through New Hampshire or via Vermont, Maine or Canada you will find a drive through the various areas of the White Mountains National Forest one of the nicest, and most natural, drives in the Northeastern United States and New England. There are a lot of places you can choose to camp at while hiking through the various mountains and valleys in the area. While hiking in the forest you will find numerous waterfalls with fresh mountain water running through them, plenty of places to swim in or fish from, scenic nature hikes and caves you can explore, picnic areas and lots of camping locations.

A hiking vacation with your family is also a great way for children to explore the earth around them, nature, science and animal life. You will find on your journey through the Mt. Washington region that just about anywhere is the best place to stay if you plan to camp out on your vacation. Here are just a few of the best camping spots in the White Mountain National Forest and Mt. Washington. The websites included in this article will provide directions to these spots.

Gray Knob and Crag Camp -

Located at the northern base of the Presidential Peaks at the edge of the White Mountains National Forest and the town of Randolph, the Gary Knob and Crag Camp area of the forest has long attracted hikers and campers who enjoy Alpine type conditions. You will find over 100 miles of trails and a series of primitive back-country camps scattered along a prominent ridge that rises to Mount Adams. A hike up Mt. Adams is made more for experienced hikers, but there are several longer trails that will take climbers with children up the mountain.

The camps here are voted some of the best in the White Mountains for self-sufficient hikers who can do without fire pits and running water. Other options for campers are crude huts that cling to an upper slope of Mt. Adams and a camp area at King Ravine, which is a great area to camp in along a huge glacial cirque carved into a northern slope with sheer walls and massive boulders. To the east you can use the Valley Way and other trails to ascend Durand Ridge on the way to Madison Spring, and to the west you can climb moderate Nowell Ridge, which leads along a broad flank to the summit of Mount Adams.

Mount Passaconaway -

Located in the Sandwich Range Wilderness area of the forest, and just off the Kancamagus Highway, Mount Passaconaway is a strenuous climb along several trails that lead up the 4043' mountain that shares a prominent ridge with Mt. Whiteface. A lookout ledge just below Mt. Passaconaway's wooded summit offers great views of the Tripyramid massif to the west and South Hancock and Mt. Carrigain to the north.

Due to weather conditions that can change in an instant camping is generally hard to do along the trails of Mount Passaconaway and mostly discouraged. The best place to set up camp would be a mile from the Oliverian Brook Trailhead at the Jigger Johnson Campground.

Saco River -

Located in the heart of the White Mountains the Saco River is one of the best areas for camping in Northern New Hampshire. The river runs for 30 miles from Swans Falls Dam to Hiram, Maine and 90% of the soft sand beaches are open for camping along the river. The only areas not allowed for camping and fishing will have "No Trespassing" signs on them to mark them. You can set up camp in the wilderness or right on the beach at the edge of the water.

The open camping environment is a privilege you will not find on any other river and respect for nature is strictly enforced. The river is convenient to many hiking trails into the White Mountains and the Kancamagus Highway. If primitive camping is not something you are looking for if you are traveling with family you can stay at one of the local campgrounds in the area. Fire pits are available in most primitive camping areas along the river and using those rings is encouraged rather than starting a new one.

Bondcliff Trail -

A great area for camping near Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch, the Bondcliff Trail is a 7 mile hike to the Twinway near the summit of Mount Guyot and back. Experienced hikers can probably do this trail in a day, but it is worth it to spend a night camped out in the wilderness along the trail. Camping along the trail is primitive and the nearest facility camping area is several miles away.

While hiking the trail you will pass over the summit of Mount Bond and The Cliffs of Mount Bond and most of the trail is in woods with easy climbing, but the section over The Cliffs is an extensive boulder field exposed to winds with small alpine zones on Mounts Bond and Guyot. Each summit you reach offers breathtaking 360-degree views.