Best Camping in and near Lake Francis State Park

100% (3 reviews)

Visitors can explore this park by foot, wheels, or oars.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Francis State Park

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Wandering Pines: Camp all year long

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Whitefield, NH

Wandering Pines is part of our little slice of magic in the Great North Woods of New Hampshire. Our sites are near our Small House on our 5 acres but all have privacy. We have 7 sites; 2 large campsites, 2 primitive sites and 3 park and sleep sites "Apple Tree Camp" is a group tent site and comes with a large space for setting up 1-3 tents, a fire ring and table. You will have access to water and electric. "Under the Pines" is our Glamping site. This is a very large campsite with a large Canvas tent that sleeps 3. There is room for 1-2 more tents on this site. You will have a picnic area with a picnic table and fire ring. It also comes with a propane stove top, pots and pans and a propane grill. You will have access to electric for charging phones. All our sites have access a primitive outhouse and handwashing/dishwashing station. Our 2 smaller sites are very primitive. "Lower Field" is a tent site only. You will have access to water and the outhouse. Mountain View is also primitive but has a fire ring, access to water and the outhouse. Fire wood can be ordered and at your site. Our last 3 sites are for car/van or small camper park and sleep. There is access to an outhouse and water, a fire pit and firewood available to purchase. In the winter we can have storms at anytime. Please be patient if we need to plow you out. e We have wetlands and overgrown fields so there may be bugs and other animals at any given time. Bug spray is recommended. Although black bears are generally shy and usually avoid humans, they are opportunistic and will search for human food supplies when natural foods are not available. Maintaining a sustainable bear population in New Hampshire depends on minimizing human-bear conflicts. It is illegal to intentionally feed bears in New Hampshire. Intentional feeding can create problems within residential areas and can result in fines. It also may threaten the life of the bear, if it becomes a nuisance animal as a result of this feeding. Please keep your food in your car when you are not at the site and when you are sleeping. The property has views of Mount Martha and the Presidential's. There are trails throughout the property. There is a field to play games, such as soccer, badminton and corn hole. We are within 25 mins of Lancaster, Jefferson, Littleton, and Bethlehem. Small town bars, restaurants, breweries and one of kind views of mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife. There is hiking galore and more than enough to do for all ages.

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(40)

Old Stone House Museum VT

3 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Brownington, VT

Learn more about this land: African American Alexander Lucius Twilight built the Old Stone House at the heart of our 60+ acre historic village in pastoral Brownington, Vermont. Our grounds include gorgeous Prospect Hill and Observatory Tower, a Heritage Apple Orchard, Giving Gardens and a one+ mile Twilight Educational Trail you can hike, ski or snowshoe. We have a designated spot for anyone camping with car(s) and tents. The nine historic buildings which comprise our grounds are all accessible by car or truck. No campfires allowed at this time.

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(51)

Saddleback Base

4 sites · Lodging, Tents50 acres · Sandy River Plt, ME

Rustic cabin in the Maine mountains surrounded by beautiful forests , 50 mile views and a small stream and waterfall. Hike Saddleback from cabin, swim and fish in nearby Sandy River Ponds.

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(63)

Lavender Essentials of Vermont

68 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Derby, VT

Pierre Capron and Michele Judd started the lavender farm in the spring of 2017. Both Michele and Pierre grew up on dairy farms in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and are proud to be the next generation of farmers, working the same land as Michele’s grandparents once did. We are a multi-generational farm family, hoping to develop a successful business that can one day be passed onto our children. Learn more about this land: Imagine camping at a romantic lavender farm at the top of Vermont. Lavender Essentials of Vermont sits on top of a 1,600' hill in the quaint little town of Derby, Vermont. Nestled in a hillside meadow, the campsites are only a short walk from the lavender fields and 360' of breathtaking views. You will want to bring your camera! Stay with us at our farm, and take in the quaint, picturesque countryside. We offer a peaceful site, away from it all, to relax and experience Vermont. In the meadows you can pick wild flowers, take an afternoon nap, wander the trails, bird watch, or listen to frogs and catch fireflies in the evening. At night you will be amazed at the star filled sky! Day or night it's hard to deny the peaceful and romantic feeling you get from the lavender farm! The farm has a Lavender Labyrinth, fields of sunflowers, chamomile, mint (and other herbs and vegetables), bees, informational placards along walking trails, cozy private seating, a gazebo for special events, a hidden geocache, and even a gift shop! There are lots of things to see and do on the farm. Especially during bloom season—June-September. Check out our event calendar and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on what's happening at the farm (Lavender-Essentials.com). Whether it’s nature or culture you seek, peace or thrills, this unique area of the Northeast Kingdom offers something for everyone! Your hosts, Michele and Pierre, are locals and they know all the best and unadvertised places to explore. Ask them about local dives and even haunted hikes. Just 30 minutes away is one of the best bike parks in New England, Kingdom Trails in Burke. Also nearby is Jay Peak, a ski resort with an indoor water park, golf course, ice arena, climbing walls, and much more! The farm is located just 2 miles from the Canadian border. Magog, Sherbrooke, and Montreal offer a taste of international cultural that will appease your Quebecois desires! If you plan to visit Canada while you are here, remember you must have your passport! Stay at one of the most beautiful places on earth, and allow us to help you find peace and tranquility, or we can be your personal adventure guide! We go out of our way to provide you with a memorable stay, and do our best to facilitate the kind of vacation you are looking for! We love dogs, but we must insist dogs be kept on a leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the farm's fields because we grow culinary grade crops and must protect them. All dog waste must be cleaned immediately and is restricted to designated pet rest areas. Owners will be held responsible for any damages. Please keep your campsite clean. Fires are allowed, as long as winds are not strong. Our weather can be breezy, and exposed at times, so pack according. Bring a sweater and a kite! There's a reason we have a 140ft wind turbine.

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Colby's Cabin

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Carthage, ME

Beautiful, off-the-grid, rustic log cabin on 10 acres one mile up a 4-wheel drive trail. Located in a wilderness region minutes to Webb Lake, Tumbledown Mountain & Mt. Blue State Park. Trails of all kinds right out the front door. In the middle of Maine’s finest hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating. A perfect place for adventure, romance, celebration or serenity. An escape from the electronic world, the cabin has solar and battery lights but no power generator. (See Winter Conditions below) The space This is a cozy place with led lights & solar lights, candles, a gas cook range, gas refrigerator, wood stove, a dug well with hand-pump in the kitchen (pump can not be used when the temperature is below freezing) and a log cabin outhouse. Everything is here: 1 set of twin bunk beds and 1 queen size futon couch in the great room and a king bed in the bunk room. Fully outfitted with dishes, utensils, pots,/pans, linens/blankets/pillows, books, games, oil lanterns, camp/bag shower and more. There is a pantry cabinet full of food and spices. Firewood is included in the rental price. Propane, paper towels, toilet paper and dish soap are also provided. Guest access The whole property is at your disposal. All Wheel Drive or 4WD is needed to access the cabin in winter and mud season. Other things to note WINTER CONDITIONS (when ground is frozen): -4-wheel drive or All Wheel Drive needed. -There is NO running water from the well pump when the ground is frozen. The sink can be used with a bucket underneath. Bring extra water for washing. I will leave a couple of gallons to get you started! -Really big storms can cause reservations to sometimes be rescheduled but I always honor date changes or refunds due to storms. -Extreme Cold Weather: When temperatures fall to 15 degrees or below, we recommend that you use the propane heater in the bunk room along with the woodstove in the great room. It will be necessary for you to feed the wood stove every couple of hours. -Attention Snowmobilers: You may have to unload your snowmobiles at the bottom of the hill to get your trucks up the hill with trailers hitched. You could also leave your trailers at the bottom of the hill in a plowed out parking area. Ride the snowmobiles up separately. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE: Off the grid = NO ELECTRICITY! Amenities include bag shower, outhouse, gas range, woodstove, battery-operated LED lights, solar lights, candles, gas grill. No Shooting or target practice is allowed. Phone: Reliable cell phone service is 1 mile down the mountain in the spring and summer. Spotty service is available at the cabin during winter. Hydration: You MUST bring your own drinking water to be absolutely safe. The dug well is fed by springs and runoff. Dug wells can be contaminated by heavy rains, and wildlife. Drinking the well water is at your own risk. Bugs: This is mosquito and tick country. Use bug spray and do tick checks twice a day during spring, summer and fall. Dogs: Dogs are welcome. However, NEVER leave dogs unattended outside or allow to run at large. Year-round neighbors uphill have dogs that will be alerted to your dog(s) running at large. NEVER allow dogs to venture on the opposite side of Lamb Road or into neighbors' driveways. DO NOT leave dogs alone in the cabin. Please toss any waste deposited on the yard into the woods. Smoking: Cigarette smoking is allowed OUTSIDE the cabin. Cannabis smoking is allowed inside the cabin. Trash: It would be appreciated if you took your own trash, but if that is not possible, you may leave all of your food garbage and trash in the cabin at check-out and we will dispose of it for you. We request that food garbage or food scraps are NEVER left outside. Wildlife: Please do not feed the bears or any other wildlife, including birds, squirrels, fox, deer, coyote or anything you may see here at Ridgeview Cabin. Feeding wildlife results in a negative impact on the lives and environment of the animals, including possible death or extermination of the animals, and presents a potential risk to your safety. Feeding animals means intentionally leaving food out for them, or even simply leaving a bag of garbage outside where animals can get into it. This means that taking care of your food garbage is extremely important. You are welcome to use the garbage bags found in the cabin. If you must remove food garbage from the cabin, please store it in your vehicle until check-out. Never store trash or food scraps outside. Keep it down for the locals: There are year round residents uphill and downhill of the cabin within half a mile. Please be respectful of their quality of life and refrain from long sessions of target practice, aggressive snowmobile/4-wheeler riding around the cabin/up and down the road, yelling and loud music after 8PM and before 8AM.

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(47)

Camp Streife

1 site · Tent17 acres · Rumford, ME

Streife translated from Norwegian means roam. The right to roam, also called the right of access, or everyman's right(“allemannsretten”) is a traditional right from ancient times, and since 1957 has also been a part of the Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act. It ensures that everybody gets to experience nature, even on larger privately owned areas. In our travels to Norway, we learned of this law and loved the concept so much we brought it back with us to America. Yet we had no land to offer. So, we searched...and searched....and searched some more. Then we found what would become camp Streife. 20 acres of uncut timber growth forest, tucked in the hills of Rumford Maine. With a nearby brook, pond and within 20 minutes of some of our favorite ski locations it was just right. The rules of this law are simple. Be considerate and thoughtful. Don't damage nature and other surroundings. Leave the landscape as you would want to find it. Leave no trace. You may put up a tent, or sleep under the stars, for the night anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains, as long as you keep at least 500 feet away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. This rule of 500 feet distance also applies to camping cars and caravans. If you want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas. Well, we've taken care of all those Allemannsretten rules for you. We invite you to our small part of the world and encourage you to exercise your right to roam. Learn more about this land: Situated on 20 acres in the Woods of Rumford, ME come enjoy a forested campsite with access to nearby stream and pond. Fish, kayak, snowshoe, hike or just relax. 20 minutes from Sunday River Ski area, 25 Minutes from Black Mtn. Ski area and even closer to Rumford's White Cap Mtn. for nice backcountry ski lines. There is nearby access to the Androscoggin River, Grafton Notch State Park, and all the amenities that come with it. Come enjoy all that the Woods of Maine has to offer.

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Magical Mountain River retreat

5 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Rumford, ME

Scars in the polished granite streambed tell the story of saw mills from the 19th century. Not far from the foundation of one of the more established farmsteads of the era, this campsite is tucked away from the road down by the rushing Bull Branch of the Sunday River. Whether you bake on the rocks after dipping, or toss a fly in a quiet pool, the river will soothe your soul. Explore endless mountains streams, trails to the Appalachian Trail, and remote dirt roads in the heart of the Mahoosucs from your secluded walk-in low impact tent site with privy. Deep swimming holes and trout fishing beckon. There are three sites: #1: Riverside (more secluded),#2:Hillside(closest to the parking), and #3: Fireside. The hillside and fireside sites can combine for a group although are at a short distance from each other. If weather conditions permit, all campers can share the fire circle and table. The Riverside has its own table.

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(5)

Village Camping Corner

3 sites · Lodging, RVs2 acres · Brownington, VT

Located in the heart of Brownington Village, and about 15 miles from the Canadian border, our property allows for easy access to many scenic locations. Enjoy all that Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has to offer including many beautiful lakes, hiking trails, bike paths, and ski areas. The Old Stone House museum, located a short walk up the road, is open May-October and is a rich source of local history. Willoughby Lake, flanked by Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor is a 15 minute drive from our place. There are about a dozen homes in the village and you will hear traffic going by, including horses and buggies carrying our Amish neighbors. Other Attractions: Newport-Derby bike path - about 20 minutes Jay Peak Resort - about 35 minutes Burke Mountain - about 45 minutes Craftsbury Outdoor Center - about 30 minutes Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium - about 35 minutes Kingdom Trails Mountain Biking - about 35 minutes Close to VAST snowmobile trails The property has 2 sites - an RV parking spot with an electric hook-up and a cabin that sleeps 3 and has electricity and running water.

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Private field and woods camping

7 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Whitefield, NH

We are right in the middle of the White Mountains, in Whitefield NH surrounded by endless rivers, lakes, hiking trails, dining, breweries and attractions. The Heritage trail is accessible nearby. Whitefield is the approximate halfway point for the Cross NH Adventure Trail. For more information check out the XNHAT website: https://www.xnhat.org/ On clear nights, the view of the stars and the milky way here is magnificent. We intentionally leave the majority of the field unmowed which attracts monarch butterflies and other wildlife. The campsite is private, yet close to the conveniences of downtown Whitefield and nearby Littleton, Bethlehem and Lancaster. We are conveniently located on the edge of town, there is a small grocery store close by as well as Sunny's Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Dollar General, Grandma's Kitchen, 2 gas/convenience stores, multiple thrift stores, and a record shop. Please see the aerial photo in this listing for an idea of the layout of the land and surrounding roads, houses etc. IMPORTANT HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS. PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING. ***Field and woods campsites are first come first serve****arrive early for best pick of site****we rent to a maximum of two separate groups per night****check in begins at 2:00 p.m. ***Chances are you will be sharing the field with another camping group. If you want the whole place to yourself we recommend booking BOTH SITES if they are available*** THIS IS A RUSTIC CAMPSITE with no amenities. If you are expecting the KOA, please do not book this site. The campsite is located in rural northern New Hampshire, in an undeveloped field next to the forest where many animals live such as bears, moose, deer, raccoons, fox, skunks, porcupines, coyotes, etc. Mosquitoes and other bugs are present in the summer. Please be mindful of the surrounding wildlife. Please come PREPARED for rustic backwoods camping and observe bear safety at all times (SEE BEAR SAFETY INFO BELOW) RV INFO: We do not have hookups of any kind (NO electricity, NO water or sewer). We are currently only set up for self-contained units (dry-camping or boondocking as some call it). We can accommodate small travel trailers <24ft, campervans, truck campers, small camper busses. NO 5th Wheels or RV's >24 ft please. 4-wheel drive is recommended, but not required. FIRE: A small campfire pit is available (dependent on local fire danger warnings of course). Please observe local fire danger warnings. Bring your own firewood and please do not light the large bonfire in the middle of the field. Please do not cut down trees or branches. NO PETS: Because we are a working farm with chickens, farm dogs and surrounding wildlife guests are not permitted to bring dogs or pets of any kind. If you love animals and enjoy a little "dog/chicken therapy" this is the place for you. Please do not book this site if you don't like animals. TRASH: A small trashcan and recycle bin for empty cans and bottles are located next to the outhouse. Please PACK OUT excessive amounts of trash. We have NO BATHROOM, kitchen or shower facilities and there is no potable water on site. An OUTHOUSE composting toilet is available. Bring your own toilet paper, and please do not put anything down the hatch other than plain toilet paper (absolutely no wet wipes please--these can be put in the trash can) NO DUMPING of grey or black water anywhere on the property. ARRIVAL: We strongly suggest arriving before sundown as there are no street lights or any kind of lighting in the field or the access road to the field. If you do plan on arriving after dark definitely bring headlamps and or flashlights. WEATHER/ROAD ACCESS: Due to unpredictable New England weather, especially this spring as we have received unprecedented amounts of precipitation, there may be times when the field access road is not passable due to excessive mud etc Please know that this is a rustic undeveloped field and we have no control over the weather. In the event of impassable road conditions, you may park at the bottom of the field access road. We have garden carts available to haul your gear to the camping area which is only a short walk. We have a few different alternative campsite locations for RVs as well. If you have questions about road conditions prior to your arrival please send us a message. ABOUT THE PROPERTY: Our folk victorian farmhouse has been owned by the same family for seven generations since it was built in the 1850s. Once a 20-acre working dairy farm, much of the land was subdivided throughout the years, leaving five acres with the original barn, farmhouse, large field, and wooded area. We are a small family farm offering farm-fresh eggs and seasonal vegetables. We are honored to be stewards of this property and want to share it with others. BEAR SAFETY & FOOD STORAGE REQUIREMENTS Following safe food storage practices protects both you and the bears: Never leave food or coolers unattended. All food, food particles, trash, and coolers need to be secured in a vehicle or trailer. Always keep a clean picnic area, campsite, or other area where you may be spending time. Don’t leave any food (including condiments), food particles, trash, and coolers out when not in use. Store food in bear-resistant units, hard-shelled vehicles or car trunks. Never store food in your tent. Keep sleeping areas, tents, and sleeping bags free of food and odor (like toothpaste or deodorant). Don’t sleep in clothes you cooked or handled fish or game in. Never bury or burn food waste. Place sleeping tents at least 100 yards away from food storage and cooking areas. Never leave your backpack unattended.

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Little Sister's Campsite

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Newport, VT

As private as private gets but only 6 miles to Newport Vt. There is a creek and a one acre pond (20 feet deep). It is all mixed hard and softwoods. It has some magnificent old growth trees 100 foot tall. There is a good rd that my friend has used with his Lincoln. Most any vehicle (car or Pickup)can get to the site. It gets a little tricky if you are pulling a trailer. A small one is OK but a large one - not so much....... The rd goes 1/2 mile to the rear of the land. Moose, deer and other critters visit too. We live 1/2 mile away from where you enter the woodlot. Our house is on Brownington Pond (200+ acres) & campers can use this site for swimming, boating & fishing. For more info call 863220 5881 Excellent drinking water is available from the hose at our house. Fires are allowed and we supply the firewood at no extra charge.

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(3)

Camp whiskey throttle

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Colebrook, NH

Hello, this Cedar Cabin is located on a private Dead End Road with direct ATV and snowmobile access from the cabin, this area is also known for great Wildlife moose, deer and much more. 10 minutes from the location is little diamond and big diamond pond great fishing and kayaking. The property is equipped with an outdoor kitchen, gazebo with fire pit in the center. property has power a functional toilet in the cabin along with a shower, also has a Porter potty insert outhouse. There are three beds inside the cabin, **please bring your own bedding** and feel free to set up as many tents that will fit along with Easy Ups.

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Ladd Pond Cabins and Campground

31 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents187 acres · NH

Our property has 187 acres to explore and hiking trails. There is an 8-acre pond for fishing (catch and release), paddleboats, kayaks and Jon boats. There is no charge to use our paddleboats, kayaks, or Jon boats. In Stewartstown and the surrounding area, guests have so many natural attractions to visit, including Beaver Brook Falls and Lake Francis, both within 15 miles of the Ladd Pond. The Washburn Family Forest nearby is the perfect place to go for a hike through nature and spot local wildlife. For an action experience, guests can try the ATV trails or the exciting snowmobile trails in winter. Close to ATV trails and direct access to Snowmobile trails.

The best camping near Lake Francis State Park guide

Overview

About

Lying on the shore of the placid, 2,000-acre Lake Francis, near the Great North Woods’ Connecticut Lakes, this state park is home to lush forests and rolling hills that provide the perfect setting for a range of activities. You can canoe, kayak, and fish on the lake or take an ATV out for a spin on the park's trails, which connect with the 1,000 miles of trails for OHV riding in Coos County. Lake Francis Campground has 45 sites including nine sites with water/electric hook-ups and nine sites for ATV camping, from where riders can head directly out on the trails.

Tips for snagging a campsite

All sites are offered by reservation but first-come, first-served camping may be available if all sites have not been reserved.
Bookings can easily be secured online or by phone, up to 11 months in advance.
Double-check your booking: Fees are steep for cancellations made within six days of scheduled arrival, and come on top of a non-refundable reservation fee.

When to go

Lake Francis State Park is open year-round but the campground is typically only open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend. As the main draw is the park’s lake, summer is the busiest season, however, ATVing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are all excellent in the off season. Note that the park is typically not staffed in the off season, so you’ll need to bring your own equipment.

Know before you go

Canoe rentals are available in the park.
There are several grocery stores within a 10-minute drive.
Pets are permitted but must be leashed and supervised at all times and are not permitted on the beaches.