Fall camping in New Hampshire is highly underrated. For one thing, it’s the perfect way to admire New Hampshire’s gorgeous foliage. For another, what could be cozier than snuggling up around a camp fire and then going to sleep in a warm sleeping bag as the leaves rustle around you? It’s much more pleasant than sweating the night away in a tent in the height of summer. Plus, the crowds are much smaller. There are a few weekends left before many campgrounds close in November, so make the most of them! Here are a few of our favorite spots to camp in the autumn. Be sure to call ahead as hours and dates of operation are subject to change, and amenities are very variable in the shoulder and off-season. Some of these parks will also let you camp outside of the official season, as long as you don’t mind roughing it.
- Pawtuckaway State Park, Nottingham
Flickr/Sbarleva Ready for a night or two away from it all in the woods? Looking for a campground that has it all – family-friendly beaches, canoe rentals, and plenty of trails? Look no further. Pawtuckaway State Park is the spot for you. We take camping seriously in New Hampshire, and this campground that does it right. In fact, this campground is a perennial favorite for families and for anyone who wants great lake views and amazing hiking. Be sure to climb the fire tower for the best foliage views! They even have cabins you can book if it just feels too chilly for a tent. Pawtuckaway State Park, 128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA
- Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown
Yelp/jessienh The largest state park in New Hampshire, Bear Brook State Park has over 10,000 acres of forest, meaning that there’s plenty of foliage to admire. With forty miles of trails, you’re sure to stay busy! Bear Brook State Park, 157 Deerfield Rd, Allenstown, NH 03275, USA
- Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park
TripAdvisor/Willem K. Crawford Notch State Park is a huge park, with 5,775 acres of beautiful outdoor area. There is endless enjoyment to be found in this park. Of course, you can hike on any of the many memorable trails- Crawford Notch has over 4,000 miles of trails, in fact, so you know there will be something for everyone in your group. You can see waterfalls, bird watch, or simply relax and take in the amazing views of the mountains around you. Your favorite way to enjoy this NH State Park, of course, is camping – especially during the height of fall foliage! Dry River Campground, 2057 US-302, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
- Lafayette Place Campground, Franconia Notch State Park
TripAdvisor/limar999 Named the best campground in New Hampshire, Franconia Notch is the perfect location for fall exploring - you’ll have some incredible hiking right outside your tent if you camp here. Though full service camping ends Columbus Day, the campground is open year round. Lafayette Place Campground, Franconia, NH 03580, USA
- Milan Hill State Park, Milan
Linda Greene/Google Local Ever wanted to camp in a yurt? You can! For a warmer and comfier alternative to sleeping on the cold ground, book one of the yurts at Milan Hill State Park. They have fantastic views, as does the park’s fire tower. Milan Hill State Park, 72 Fire Tower Road, Milan, NH 03588, USA
- Gilson Pond Campground, Monadnock State Park
TripAdvisor/ratedbyhanna Mt. Monadnock is one of the most popular hikes in the world, and fall is the perfect time to do it. This campground is ideally located if you want to climb the mountain and then relax around a campfire. Gilson Pond Campground, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA
- Greenfield State Park, Greenfield
NH State Parks An underrated gem, this 400-acre New Hampshire State Park offers plenty of ponds and lakeshore that look positively magical in the golden light of autumn! Greenfield State Park, 973 Forest Rd, Greenfield, NH 03047, USA
Do you have any fall camping in New Hampshire planned for this year? Time is short! Looking for more ways to make the most of the season? Check out our list of day trips.
Flickr/Sbarleva
Ready for a night or two away from it all in the woods? Looking for a campground that has it all – family-friendly beaches, canoe rentals, and plenty of trails? Look no further. Pawtuckaway State Park is the spot for you. We take camping seriously in New Hampshire, and this campground that does it right. In fact, this campground is a perennial favorite for families and for anyone who wants great lake views and amazing hiking. Be sure to climb the fire tower for the best foliage views! They even have cabins you can book if it just feels too chilly for a tent.
Pawtuckaway State Park, 128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA
Yelp/jessienh
The largest state park in New Hampshire, Bear Brook State Park has over 10,000 acres of forest, meaning that there’s plenty of foliage to admire. With forty miles of trails, you’re sure to stay busy!
Bear Brook State Park, 157 Deerfield Rd, Allenstown, NH 03275, USA
TripAdvisor/Willem K.
Crawford Notch State Park is a huge park, with 5,775 acres of beautiful outdoor area. There is endless enjoyment to be found in this park. Of course, you can hike on any of the many memorable trails- Crawford Notch has over 4,000 miles of trails, in fact, so you know there will be something for everyone in your group. You can see waterfalls, bird watch, or simply relax and take in the amazing views of the mountains around you. Your favorite way to enjoy this NH State Park, of course, is camping – especially during the height of fall foliage!
Dry River Campground, 2057 US-302, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
TripAdvisor/limar999
Named the best campground in New Hampshire, Franconia Notch is the perfect location for fall exploring - you’ll have some incredible hiking right outside your tent if you camp here. Though full service camping ends Columbus Day, the campground is open year round.
Lafayette Place Campground, Franconia, NH 03580, USA
Linda Greene/Google Local
Ever wanted to camp in a yurt? You can! For a warmer and comfier alternative to sleeping on the cold ground, book one of the yurts at Milan Hill State Park. They have fantastic views, as does the park’s fire tower.
Milan Hill State Park, 72 Fire Tower Road, Milan, NH 03588, USA
TripAdvisor/ratedbyhanna
Mt. Monadnock is one of the most popular hikes in the world, and fall is the perfect time to do it. This campground is ideally located if you want to climb the mountain and then relax around a campfire.
Gilson Pond Campground, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA
NH State Parks
An underrated gem, this 400-acre New Hampshire State Park offers plenty of ponds and lakeshore that look positively magical in the golden light of autumn!
Greenfield State Park, 973 Forest Rd, Greenfield, NH 03047, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
fall camping in New Hampshire August 18, 2022 Sarah M. What are some of the best fall day trips in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is famous around the world for the beauty of its autumn – after all, that’s why our small towns get so packed with tourists each year! Nonetheless, living here, it’s easy to take the autumn season for granted. This year, don’t let out-of-towners have all the fun – get out and enjoy all that the Granite State has to offer with these great fall day trips in New Hampshire. In terms of fall bucket-list musts, we’re big fans of taking an autumn ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad, visiting a charming farm like Emery Farm in Durham, hitting up the Oktoberfest festivities at Anheuser Busch in Merrimack, and enjoying a good, old-fashioned hike at one of of numerous superlative state parks. Where can I see the best fall foliage in New Hampshire? We love getting out and enjoying the fall foliage on one of our state’s numerous hiking trails… especially before the bitter cold of winter makes hiking a bit less enticing! There are so many hikes in New Hampshire that are extra gorgeous in the fall. If you don’t have a lot of time but you want a perfect photo op, check out Glen Ellis Falls in Jackson. The short trail will take you right to a beautiful waterfall. Other recommended fall hikes in New Hampshire include the Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Old Bride Path, Cathedral Ledge Trail, Barlow Trail and Winslow Trail Loop, Black Cap Trail, Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook Trail, and Table Rock Trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
fall camping in New Hampshire
August 18, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some of the best fall day trips in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is famous around the world for the beauty of its autumn – after all, that’s why our small towns get so packed with tourists each year! Nonetheless, living here, it’s easy to take the autumn season for granted. This year, don’t let out-of-towners have all the fun – get out and enjoy all that the Granite State has to offer with these great fall day trips in New Hampshire. In terms of fall bucket-list musts, we’re big fans of taking an autumn ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad, visiting a charming farm like Emery Farm in Durham, hitting up the Oktoberfest festivities at Anheuser Busch in Merrimack, and enjoying a good, old-fashioned hike at one of of numerous superlative state parks. Where can I see the best fall foliage in New Hampshire? We love getting out and enjoying the fall foliage on one of our state’s numerous hiking trails… especially before the bitter cold of winter makes hiking a bit less enticing! There are so many hikes in New Hampshire that are extra gorgeous in the fall. If you don’t have a lot of time but you want a perfect photo op, check out Glen Ellis Falls in Jackson. The short trail will take you right to a beautiful waterfall. Other recommended fall hikes in New Hampshire include the Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Old Bride Path, Cathedral Ledge Trail, Barlow Trail and Winslow Trail Loop, Black Cap Trail, Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook Trail, and Table Rock Trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Hampshire is famous around the world for the beauty of its autumn – after all, that’s why our small towns get so packed with tourists each year! Nonetheless, living here, it’s easy to take the autumn season for granted. This year, don’t let out-of-towners have all the fun – get out and enjoy all that the Granite State has to offer with these great fall day trips in New Hampshire. In terms of fall bucket-list musts, we’re big fans of taking an autumn ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad, visiting a charming farm like Emery Farm in Durham, hitting up the Oktoberfest festivities at Anheuser Busch in Merrimack, and enjoying a good, old-fashioned hike at one of of numerous superlative state parks.
Where can I see the best fall foliage in New Hampshire?
We love getting out and enjoying the fall foliage on one of our state’s numerous hiking trails… especially before the bitter cold of winter makes hiking a bit less enticing! There are so many hikes in New Hampshire that are extra gorgeous in the fall. If you don’t have a lot of time but you want a perfect photo op, check out Glen Ellis Falls in Jackson. The short trail will take you right to a beautiful waterfall. Other recommended fall hikes in New Hampshire include the Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Old Bride Path, Cathedral Ledge Trail, Barlow Trail and Winslow Trail Loop, Black Cap Trail, Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook Trail, and Table Rock Trail.
