Free Camping in New Hampshire

76 sites across 6 federal and state land agencies. 0 sites have full agency-grounded write-ups; the rest are in the indexing queue.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sites

1 site. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration camping rules →

  • Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Developed· Indexing

National Park Service sites

2 sites. National Park Service camping rules →

  • Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing

PRIVATE sites

46 sites. PRIVATE camping rules →

  • Along the River Campground & Cabins
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ayers Lake Farm Campground & Cottages
    Developed· Indexing
  • Barnes Field
    Developed· Indexing
  • Barrington Shores Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Beech Hill Campground and Cabins
    Developed· Indexing
  • Big Rock Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Blackberry Crossing Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Calef Lake Camping Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Carpenter
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Maranatha
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Rich Tentsite
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Camp Wanocksett
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Wilmot
    Developed· Indexing
  • camping1
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Circle 9 Ranch
    Developed· Indexing
  • Cold Springs Camp Resort
    Developed· Indexing
  • Country Bumpkins Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Crazy Horse Family Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort
    Developed· Indexing
  • Deer Mountain Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Dolly Copp Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Dry River Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Fransted campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Great Bay Camping
    Developed· Indexing
22 more PRIVATE sites in New Hampshire.

US Army Corps of Engineers sites

7 sites. US Army Corps of Engineers camping rules →

  • Blackwater Dam
    Developed· Indexing
  • Edward MacDowell Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • Elm Brook Park Day Use Pass
    Developed· Indexing
  • Franklin Falls Dam
    Developed· Indexing
  • Hopkinton-Everett Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • Otter Brook Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • Surry Mountain Lake
    Developed· Indexing

US Forest Service sites

17 sites. US Forest Service camping rules →

  • Big Rock
    Developed· Indexing
  • Caribou East Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Centennial Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • DOLLY COPP PICNIC PAVILION
    Developed· Indexing
  • Great Gulf Link Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Hancock Campground (NH)
    Developed· Indexing
  • Miles Notch Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Nelson Crag Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Otter Rocks Day Use Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Rob Brook - Nana XC-Ski Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • RUSSELL-COLBATH BARN
    Developed· Indexing
  • SUGARLOAF 1 CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • WATERVILLE CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Weeks Brook Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Wheeler Brook East Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • White Mountain National Forest
    Developed· Indexing
  • White Mountain National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
    Developed· Indexing

US Fish and Wildlife Service sites

3 sites. US Fish and Wildlife Service camping rules →

  • Nashua National Fish Hatchery
    Developed· Indexing
  • Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing

Common questions about camping in New Hampshire

How long can you camp on public land in New Hampshire?
The federal limit on BLM and USFS land in New Hampshire is 14 days within any 28-day period at one camp area, then a 25-mile move. Source: 43 CFR §8365.1-2 for BLM and 36 CFR §261.10 for USFS. NPS sites in New Hampshire have separate per-park limits, usually set by the park superintendent's compendium. Always check the local field office before relying on the rule for any specific site.
Are there fire restrictions in New Hampshire right now?
Fire restrictions in New Hampshire change weekly during fire season. Check the BLM New Hampshire state office page and the USFS New Hampshire forest pages for the current Stage I, II, or III restrictions before lighting any fire. Stage I usually means no open fires outside developed grates. Stage II usually means no fires anywhere on the unit, including stoves outside developed sites. Carry a backup stove and a check-in plan.
What's the difference between dispersed and developed camping in New Hampshire?
Dispersed camping in New Hampshire means primitive, no fee, no facilities. You pull off a public-land road and camp where established disturbance already exists. Developed camping means a designated campground with a host, vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table, and usually a nightly fee through Recreation.gov. USFS national forests in New Hampshire allow dispersed camping along MVUM-marked roads. Per 36 CFR §261.13 and the Travel Management Rule.
Can you run a generator at public-land campsites in New Hampshire?
Generators are generally allowed at developed campgrounds in New Hampshire with quiet hours, usually 8pm to 8am. The exact window varies by site and is posted at each campground or in the host's contract. On dispersed land, the federal noise rules and Leave No Trace ethics apply: do not run a generator within 200 feet of water or after dark. Some NPS units in New Hampshire prohibit generators entirely; check the park's compendium first.
Are dogs allowed at public-land campsites in New Hampshire?
Dogs are generally allowed on BLM and USFS public-land sites in New Hampshire when leashed, with the same Leave No Trace ethics that apply to humans: pack out waste, keep your dog on a 6-foot leash or under voice control, do not let them chase wildlife. NPS units in New Hampshire are stricter; dogs are typically barred from trails and backcountry, allowed only in developed campgrounds and on paved roads. Always check the specific unit's rules before driving in. State park rules vary too.
Can you camp on public lands in New Hampshire in winter?
Winter access in New Hampshire depends on the unit. Many BLM dispersed sites and USFS forest roads stay open year-round when conditions allow but become snowed-in or gated above certain elevations. Developed campgrounds usually close from mid-October to mid-April. NPS units in New Hampshire often shift to limited winter operations with reduced services. Check the agency office or Recreation.gov for current road status and gate closure dates. Carry chains and emergency supplies in shoulder season.
Where can you dump RV waste on public lands in New Hampshire?
Most dispersed and primitive sites in New Hampshire do not have dump stations. You need to plan a stop at a developed campground (USFS, BOR, USACE, or NPS) with a dump station, or a paid commercial dump at a Pilot/Flying J or KOA on your route. Recreation.gov lists which federal campgrounds have dump stations. Never dump on dispersed land; it is a federal violation under 36 CFR §261.11 and 43 CFR §8365.1-1. Sites that have a dump station show it in the Boondock site page.
What's cell coverage like at public-land campsites in New Hampshire?
Coverage in New Hampshire varies sharply by carrier and site elevation. Carriers' coverage maps are aspirational; the FCC National Broadband Map is more honest but still self-reported. For remote New Hampshire sites you should expect no signal on Verizon and T-Mobile at most BLM dispersed land and on dry-side USFS roads. AT&T tends to drop in canyons. The Boondock site page shows coverage data when we have it; absent that, assume no signal and tell someone your plan before you go.

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