Choosing Your Basecamp in the Whites
The White Mountain National Forest covers nearly 800,000 acres across northern New Hampshire and a sliver of Maine, which means you have everything from full-service drive-in campgrounds to rugged backcountry tent sites. Where you camp should match the hike you came for. If you are tackling the Presidential Range, you want to be near Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch, or Gorham so you can reach trailheads at first light. For a multi-peak weekend in this exact area, pair your campsite with the Presidential Traverse weekend itinerary to plan your trailheads and timing.
Dolly Copp: The Big Front-Country Option
Dolly Copp Campground on Route 16 between Gorham and Pinkham Notch is one of the largest campgrounds in the national forest, with hundreds of sites along the Peabody River. It sits within striking distance of the Great Gulf Wilderness and the northern Presidentials, making it a natural launch pad for climbs of Mount Madison and Mount Adams. Sites are first come or reservable on Recreation.gov, and weekends in July and August fill fast, so book ahead.
- Location: Route 16, north of Pinkham Notch
- Best for: car camping families and northern Presidential trailheads
- Amenities: potable water, vault toilets, fire rings
Crawford Notch and the Western Side
On the southwestern side of the range, the Crawford Notch State Park area and the nearby Sugarloaf and Zealand campgrounds put you close to the Crawford Path, the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in America. From here you can hike toward Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower, and the long ridge to Mount Washington. The town of Bartlett and the Cog Railway Base Station are both a short drive away, which is handy if you plan a one-way traverse with a shuttle.
Backcountry and Dispersed Camping Rules
Backpackers can camp in much of the national forest for free under dispersed camping rules, but the regulations matter. You generally must be at least 200 feet from trails, water, and roads, and camping is prohibited above treeline except on snow more than two feet deep in winter. The AMC also runs designated backcountry sites and shelters along major routes. Always store food away from animals and pack out everything you bring in.
- No camping within 200 feet of trails, streams, or huts unless at a designated site
- No campfires in Forest Protection Areas, which cover much of the high country
- Above treeline camping is banned to protect fragile alpine plants
- Use a stove rather than a fire to leave no trace
The AMC Huts: A Different Kind of Camping
If hauling a tent up a 4,000-footer is not your style, the Appalachian Mountain Club huts offer bunks and meals deep in the mountains. Lakes of the Clouds, perched at 5,012 feet below Mount Washington, and Madison Spring Hut in the northern Presidentials let you sleep high on the ridge and split a long traverse into manageable days. Reservations are essential and the huts book out months in advance for peak summer weekends.
Practical Tips for a Comfortable Trip
Nights in the Whites are cold even in summer, so bring a warm sleeping bag and expect temperatures in the 40s at valley campgrounds and far colder up high. Black flies peak from late May into June, so pack a head net if you camp early in the season. Fall brings spectacular foliage but also packed campgrounds, so reserve early. Whatever you choose, having a fixed basecamp lets you start your alpine hikes before the afternoon weather rolls in off Mount Washington.
