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Cold River
FSU.S. Forest Service — New Hampshire · White Mountain National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | White Mountain National Forest |
| Location | New Hampshire · White Mountain National Forest · 44.26444, -71.01333 · Map |
| Sites | 8 public sites counted from the federal listing — 8 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 8 sites Water hookups at 0 of 8 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 8 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 8 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 40 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 8 sites · 30 ft: 8 sites · 35 ft: 4 sites · 40 ft: 3 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 8 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 8 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 603-447-2166 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-03.
From the official listing
Overview Cold River Campground is located in a rustic, remote part of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, about 15 miles north of Fryeburg, Maine. It is a small facility with access to hiking and mountain biking trails and proximity to a small pond for fishing and canoeing.
The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and is one of the most popular in the country. Recreation The 4.5-mile Basin Trail leaves from nearby Basin Campground. Numerous other hiking and mountain biking trails lie within a short drive, including those in the Caribou Speckled Mountain Wilderness.
Trout fishing is available in Basin Pond. The pond's calm waters are also ideal for canoeing.
Learn more about recreation in the national forest. Facilities Cold River is a small facility with campsites organized around one loop. Accessible restrooms and a hand pump for water are provided. Picnic areas are nearby. There are no showers or a dump station. Natural Features The campground is in a pleasant mixed hardwood and pine forest, a short distance from Evans Brook and the 23-acre Basin Pond.
The national forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the White Mountains.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (802) 289-0970. Nearby Attractions The towns of Fryeburg, Gilead and Stow, Maine have groceries, restaurants, gas and other conveniences.
Campers might enjoy a scenic day trip to the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.
The area hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, special events and regional and national skiing and snowboarding races.
Directions, from the listing
From Fryeburg, Maine, take Highway 113 north 15 miles to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceWild River Campground
4 mi straight-line · New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceDoublehead Cabin
9 mi straight-line · JACKSON New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceBlack Mountain Cabin
9 mi straight-line · JACKSON New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceDolly Copp Picnic Pavilion
11 mi straight-line · Gorham New Hampshire
Trip Card — Cold River
New Hampshire · White Mountain National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | New Hampshire · White Mountain National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 40 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 8 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232175 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.