Beach and dog-friendly camping in New Hampshire

Outdoor lovers will find pure beauty in the White Mountains and Great North Woods.

98% (338 reviews)
98% (338 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New Hampshire

12 top beach and dog-friendly campgrounds in New Hampshire

100%
(130)

Souhegan Shores

2 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Merrimack, NH
December Update: We received nearly 4 inches of rain so there is now water flowing in the river and the bark chip road is no longer dust. It's safe again to turn your back on a campfire for more than 30 seconds, and the wood chip roads to the sites remain passable. If we get hit with big snowfall this season, please check in with your host to ensure your type of vehicle won't have difficulty getting out of the site. (back to our regularly scheduled campsite description...) Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to a 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp near the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of white pine, shag bark hickory and blue birch while listening to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. On the other side of the privacy fence is a pasture where two horses graze. If you don't like friendly dogs then you'll be better off on site 2 where we have a better chance of keeping our dog Wilson from dropping in to visit. He loves people too much not to want to greet folks on Site 1. Site-2 is located at the farthest most downstream end of the property and from mid-May to mid-October it is totally private. You'll see nothing from your site except for trees and the river. If you or your dog don't like other dogs, this is the site you want. Still no guarantee Wilson won't visit you, but it's easier to keep Wilson away from this corner of the property. The other side of the river is town conservation land so the only people you're likely to see will be passing by in kayaks or on paddleboards. In the dry season, both sites are a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since the rapids up stream become unpassable in July and August. If planning a winter trip, just check ahead to ensure your host has finished plowing the access road. If southern NH gets really clobbered with snow, check with your host about the possibility of constructing snow shelters. He's been known to mound up snow with the tractor. You are only two traffic lights away from the Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall should you need something to do during inclement weather.
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$30
 / night
99%
(58)

Horseshoe Bend NH

5 sites · RVs, Tents14 acres · West Ossipee, NH
Welcome to Horseshoe Bend located in Tamworth NH! Very Private tent sites on the Bearcamp River! Come take your shoes off, relax and enjoy a soak! Most have Tent Platforms. There's plenty of dry and wet sandbars around each site. Make sure you bring a rope, tie off and enjoy the sunshine! There is wood for sale close by on the east side of Whittier road and Rt 25 https://visittamworthnh.com/about Designated wood fire pits Site 2 is RV/Small camper capable Add/Like us on Instagram Horseshoe Bend NH :) https://www.instagram.com/horseshoebendnh?igsh=MXViNm15cmZwOGdwOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.publichouseonpagehill.com/ They have the best Sunday Brunch with a view! https://farmtotablemarketnh.com/ PLEASE READ: Sorry but Absolutely NO discharging firearms or fireworks. They are prohibited due to dry fields, other campers and neighboring houses. Side note there is a gun range a few miles away! Most the time you can drive to the site but if its been raining alot you will park by the road, grab a cart (if needed) in the red shed and walk 2 min through the field (mowed walkway) to your specific site. Please put carts back in the shed for the next hipcampers to use. Thanks! ALSO checkout our RV friendly sites at Stagecoach falls a couple miles away! To get to your reserved site go around the red shed and follow the mowed path through the field until it splits into three paths. Site one is to the left. Site 2 the middle path. Site 3 and 4 are the right path. Even though we haven't seen any there are bears in New Hampshire so: Secure coolers, grills, cooking utensils, any food not in use, snacks, and anything with food odors inside the locked compartment of a vehicle or trailer or a bear proof storage locker if available. Wipe off picnic tables and grills. Properly discard aluminum foil used for cooking. Do not keep food/snacks in or around your tent!
Campfires
Trash
from 
$55.25
 / night
99%
(68)

Waterfront Woodsy Glamping

5 sites · Lodging27 acres · Bennington, NH
Find some info and links to a few of the unique accommodations on our property, in Southern NH, which is 27 acres on the Contoocook River and Powder Mill Pond. Be it swimming, kayaking, boating, sunning, hiking, biking, or fishing; spectacular fall foliage, and bird watching or winter sports like skiing, boarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing,....take time out to enjoy what nature has to offer to the fullest, right here in your new backyard. Explore nature’s wonderland; starting with 27 acres of woods and waterfront beauty on Powder Mill Pond and the Contoocook River. During the warmer weather, you can hop in one of the kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats, (on-site for a small rental fee), sunbathe on the refreshing 30 ft. lily pad, or simply relax in the swing or hammock looking out over Mount Monadnock. During the winter, cross country ski, ice skate or fish or strap-on a pair of the complimentary snowshoes, ...while year round, enjoy sharing s’mores and stories by the fire pit!
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
$160
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach and dog-friendly camping in New Hampshire guide

Overview

Home to Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the northeast, and brimming with lakes, rivers, and miles of hiking trails, New Hampshire serves up four-season fun for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, fishing, and swimming in summer to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing in winter, New Hampshire has something for every type of traveler whether you’re going solo or looking for a family adventure. New Hampshire state parks offer a wide variety of camping experiences from primitive tent sites to lakeside RV spots with prime mountain views.

Where to go

Mount Washington

Sitting at 6,288 feet in eastern New Hampshire, Mount Washington is the tallest peak in New England, famous for its extreme weather. (The highest recorded wind speed outside of a tornado, 231 miles per hour, was measured at the Mount Washington Observatory atop the summit.) Mount Washington is on the Appalachian Trail and visitors can hike, drive, or take the Mount Washington Cog Railway up to the summit.

Franconia Notch State Park

In the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park is one of the most family-friendly state parks in New Hampshire and packed with natural wonders including Flume Gorge, Cloudland Falls, and Echo Lake. Lafayette Place Campground is a nice family campground right in the center of the park, near many trailheads and top sights, with a camp store and 97 campsites ideal for tent campers. Nearby Cannon Mountain RV Park offers seven RV sites with full hook-ups and a dump station.

White Mountain National Forest

The 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest offers some of the best camping in the state. Renowned for its mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and stunning fall foliage, the park is home to over a thousand miles of trails that weave through the rugged terrain for hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Overnight visitors will find 23 national forest campgrounds, backcountry huts, and cabin rentals.

When to go

Summer through early fall is the best time for camping, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking in New Hampshire. Snow tends to linger on peaks into early June, and mosquitoes can be the most troublesome in July. Fall, when the changing leaves are at their peak, is an especially popular time to visit. Be sure to make camping reservations during this time well in advance. Some New Hampshire state park campgrounds, including Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch, remain open year-round, although off-season services are limited.

Know before you go

  1. Camping reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance online or over the phone for New Hampshire state parks. Rates vary by the campground, with senior rates available. Monadnock State Park, Bear Brook State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, and White Lake State Park feature some of the most popular New Hampshire campgrounds; advanced reservations are strongly recommended. 
  2. Many New Hampshire state parks have pet restrictions. Some do not allow them at all and others prohibit them on beaches, swimming areas, and picnic areas.
  3. Numerous backcountry campsites and shelters exist in the White Mountains. Most are free to use as long as you adhere to White Mountain National Forest backcountry camping rules. 
  4. Weather in New Hampshire can be challenging and unpredictable. Come prepared with rain gear and extra layers, even in summer. 

States near New Hampshire

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Camp Your Way™

Find the perfect site to match your camping style. Explore the largest collection of private campsites, RV parks, cabins, and glamping—including 120,000+ sites you won’t find anywhere else. Explore our maps, filter by your camping style, read real camper reviews, and book directly in our app. Hipcamp is the simplest way to find yourself outside under the stars.

Download the Hipcamp App

© 2024 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.