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Waterville Campground
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 · 43.94194, -71.50917 · Map |
| Sites | 25 public sites counted from the federal listing — 19 standard nonelectric; 6 tent only 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 25 sites Water hookups at 0 of 25 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 25 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 25 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 30 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 20 sites · 30 ft: 16 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 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 25 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 22 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 603-536-6100 |
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 Waterville Campground is a popular home base for hikers who want to explore the southern White Mountains, including the scenic Pemigewasset Wilderness.
The tremendous choice of local attractions and the proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities - fishing, swimming, hiking and whitewater paddling to name a few - bring campers back to Waterville again and again.
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 Hikers are drawn to the many trails in the area. Campers can easily access the Drakes Brook Trail (4.4 miles) and Sandwich Trail (3.9 miles), which form a loop that begins and ends near the campground.
Water sports include fishing and kayaking. Anglers can cast a line for brook trout in the Mad River. A bit farther away is the Winnipesaukee River, which has a great 2.1-mile category I-II section of whitewater.
Other activities such as summer concerts, a swimming area, golf course and the Gunstock ski resort are close by.
Learn more about recreation in the national forest. Facilities A mix of standard and tent-only sites are well-spaced around a single loop. The facility provides the basic amenities of restrooms and drinking water. Many other amenities such as showers and laundry facilities are within a short drive. Natural Features The campground sits in a thick forest of northern hardwood trees, adjacent to the Mad River and surrounded by mountains.
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 Campers may want to take an afternoon to visit Gilford Beach, Dixon Point and Sandwich Beach, all near Waterville Campground.
The facility is also close to Waterville Valley Resort, which offers night life, summer concert tours, restaurants, horseback riding, canoeing, mountain bike rentals and shops.
The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities.
Directions, from the listing
From Highway 93, take exit 28. Follow Highway 49 east for 10 miles, then turn left on Tripoli Road. The campground is 0.25 miles on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceCampton Campground
8 mi straight-line · New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceBig Rock
8 mi straight-line · New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceRadeke Cabin
8 mi straight-line · CONWAY New HampshireFSU.S. Forest ServiceRussell Pond Campground
8 mi straight-line · New Hampshire
Trip Card — Waterville Campground
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 30 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 25 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232179 · 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.