Where to camp: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Why It’s Cool: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience in the Northeast, the White Mountains are your best bet. The hiking’s pretty rugged in this section of the Appalachians but totally worth it if you’re up for the challenge. The sights here are particularly stunning in the fall when the foliage turns shades of red, orange, and yellow.Where to Camp: While the forest does have 24 drive-in campgrounds (with a combined 800 campsites—wowza!), the eight walk-in state park campgrounds in the northern part of the state are where it’s at. Developed campsites require reservations. Backcountry tent camping is also allowed (except in noted no-camping areas). And there are log lean-tos scattered throughout the forest (a small fee may apply).When It’s Open: Forest accessible year-round. Visitor center hours vary.Cost: Daily passes to the park are available for $3; seven-day passes for $5. Campsites vary from $18 to $24 per night, while backcountry tent camping is free. Parking at a trailhead may require a permit; check signage at your chosen lot. For more information, visit the park’s website.

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The beauty of the rolling mountain peaks and lush evergreen trees in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, will strike you as soon as you arrive.

When you can find yourself driving atop a quaint, covered bridge above a rambling river only to spot a herd of moose off in the distance, you know that you are somewhere truly special.

Immense Forest Awaits Exploration

The 3,039-square-kilometer forest occupies a large portion of northern New Hampshire (about 215 kilometers north of Boston, Massachusetts) and extends upward into Maine. For outdoors adventurers, the park has more than 1,900 kilometers of hiking trails to explore – including part of the famous Appalachian Trail – and numerous campgrounds.

With its rugged ranges and majestic slopes, White Mountain National Forest covers about 800,000 acres across New Hampshire and western Maine. Speckled Mountain and Caribou Mountain (which reach elevations of 2,877 and 3,343 feet, respectively) represent 12,000 acres of Maine’s portion of the White Mountains.

Known as the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness, this area of public land in the WMNF includes spectacular views from the open summits of these two formidable mountaintops. With more than 25 miles of trails inside the Wilderness boundaries, all or part of 12 different hiking trails invite visitors to meander and explore all summer from June through September. The trails offer hikers a lofty combination of gentle to moderate grades, cool, cascading waterfalls, and rocky ridges with awesome vistas.

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But that’s not all…Maine’s total share of the White Mountain National Forest is 47,000 wondrous acres in Maine’s Western Mountains Region. Hikers can experience the wonders of this magnificent forest in any season. The awesome colors of New England’s fall foliage are well worth the trip. The hiking trails welcome trekkers to strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis in winter’s wonderland. Spots for fishing and biking abound. White Mountain National Forest camping is sure to be an adventure as well. And if it’s solitary relaxation you seek, it’s not difficult to find a spot in the forest where you’ll have the woods to yourself.

The original story and the rest of the article you can find here:

https://greatist.com/fitness/best-camping-united-states#The-Northeast-

and here:

https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-natural-attractions/camping-at-white-mountain-national-forest