Hancock Campground (New Hampshire)

Tucked into the White Mountain National Forest, only 5 miles east of Lincoln, on the famous Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), Hancock Campground is one of the finest rustic campgrounds in New Hampshire. At the western end of the scenic Kancamagus Highway, this campground is an excellent starting point for your adventure in the White Mountains. It has 56 wooded sites, several of them with direct access to the beautiful Pemigewasset River. The grounds have two sections: one for tents (with shared parking and walk-in access) and another for car and RV camping. That layout gives more privacy, and with the river running along the back, you come to forget there are other campers around. For outdoor lovers, it's paradise! The nearby Lincoln Woods Visitor Center is the trailhead for many hikes leading into the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The Kancamagus Highway is a popular scenic route, dotted with hiking trails, picnic areas and swimming holes. The town of Lincoln and the Loon Mountain ski area are close by as well. And with the White Mountains at your feet, climbing emblematic summits such as Mount Lafayette or Little Haystack by way of the Franconia Ridge Trail becomes a real possibility! One particular feature: the campground is open year-round, with limited services in winter — one of the few in the area to offer that. Handy for fall outings (spectacular foliage!) or winter getaways. The rate is $25 a night (1 vehicle), $5 for an additional vehicle. First come, first served for most of the sites — plan to arrive early in high season! Rustic camping in the noble sense of the word: no RV hookups, but flush toilets, spectacular nature and a singing river for a lullaby. A real return to the essentials!