How much does camping cost at Basin Campground?

Camping fees at Basin Campground range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Basin Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Basin Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Basin Campground before I book?

Yes! Basin Campground has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Basin Campground?

Basin Campground is open May 22 - October 13. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Basin Campground?

Basin Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Basin Campground have?

Basin Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Basin Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Basin Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Basin Campground?

Basin Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Basin Campground?

Popular activities at Basin Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Basin Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Basin Campground?

Fire policies at Basin Campground: Campfires permitted in designated fire rings. Firewood available for purchase onsite, but reviews describe it as 'VERY pricey.'. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.41

117 reviews

WHITE MOUNTAIN

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping New Hampshire Hiking Camping New Hampshire Swimming Camping New Hampshire +4 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

728 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open from May 22 to ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on White Mountain National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

728 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open from May 22 to ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on White Mountain National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Basin Campground

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric and Tent Only Nonelectric sites are priced at $30 per night during the May 22 - Oct 13 peak season. Fees do not include taxes or...

Standard Site Fee$30.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

603-447-5448whitemountaincampgrounds@explorus.com

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What Campers Say

4.41

Recommended

Based on 117 reviews

75 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanspaciousfriendly

"The campground is generally well-loved for its remote, quiet location and proximity to outdoor activities. However, maintenance issues with bathrooms and generator noise were common complaints."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

WHITE MOUNTAIN

Basin Campground

WHITE MOUNTAIN

Nearby places

Fryeburg, Maine - 15 miles

Nearby supplies

Groceries, restaurants, and gas are available in Fryeburg, Maine, 15 miles away. 'Campers might enjoy a scenic day trip to the Presidential Range.'

Best Time to Camp at Basin Campground

Fall delivers the best window. Daytime temperatures hover in the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, nights drop into the 30s and 40s. Peak foliage hits early October before the campground closes October 13. Weekends during color season draw more visitors, but Basin's remoteness keeps crowds manageable. Summer offers warm days ideal for swimming and paddling, though mosquito infestations become severe. Bug spray is non-negotiable. Winter transforms the area into cross-country ski terrain. Spring brings renewal and mud. Pack layers year-round; mountain weather shifts fast.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

White Mountains foliage and trails make fall appealing; fewer bugs implied though not explicit.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 - October 13. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 22 to Oct 13 for reservations. Out-of-season camping prohibited.
Current Alerts: No explicit current warnings available.

About Basin Campground

Basin Campground sits on the shore of 23-acre Basin Pond in White Mountain National Forest, 20 sites clustered in a remote location that gets minimal cell service. This is a true quiet zone. No generators allowed. Where you'll spend days paddling, fishing, and hiking forest trails. Fees run $30/night. The trade-off for solitude: bathrooms have chronic flushing issues, and summer mosquitoes can be brutal.

Basin Campground offers rustic camping options suitable for tents and RVs. There is no glamping or cabin lodging available.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best window. Daytime temperatures hover in the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, nights drop into the 30s and 40s. Peak foliage hits early October before the campground closes October 13. Weekends during color season draw more visitors, but Basin's remoteness keeps crowds manageable. Summer offers warm days ideal for swimming and paddling, though mosquito infestations become severe. Bug spray is non-negotiable. Winter transforms the area into cross-country ski terrain. Spring brings renewal and mud. Pack layers year-round; mountain weather shifts fast.

ElevationNestled within the rolling terrain of the White Mountains, Basin Campground sits at a comfortable elevation that provides access to both lowland forests and nearby mountain trails, offering campers the best of both woodland and highland experiences.

Natural Features and SceneryBasin Pond is the centerpiece here, a small glacial pond ringed by mixed hardwoods that turn brilliant reds and golds by early October. The forest canopy provides good shade across most sites. Moose wade through the pond shallows at dawn. White-tailed deer appear in clearings. Black bears roam the deeper woods, so proper food storage matters. One camper described the basin views as unbelievable. The setting sits at 728 feet elevation within the White Mountain National Forest's nearly 800,000 acres, where granite peaks and carved valleys define the horizon. It feels profoundly quiet. Rustling leaves and lapping water replace road noise.

Geological RegionBasin Campground lies within the magnificent White Mountain National Forest, a vast wilderness spanning nearly 800,000 acres across New Hampshire and western Maine. This ancient landscape tells a story written in granite peaks and carved valleys, where crystalline mountain streams tumble over weathered rocks to feed pristine rivers below. The mixed hardwood forests create a living mosaic that changes with the seasons, while the rugged terrain provides habitat for resilient northern wildlife that has called these mountains home for millennia.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

11:00 AM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period. A two-night minimum reservation is required for weekends, and three nights for holiday weekends.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two pets are permitted per site. Sites must be occupied by checkout time to hold reservations.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle loop around Basin Pond. Sites are spacious and well-separated by trees, offering solid privacy. Most are shaded. Mix of tent-only and standard sites that handle RVs up to 30 feet.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityReserved sites are held until checkout time the day after arrival. Some sites may be released to other guests if not occupied.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled at any time before the scheduled arrival date. A $10 cancellation fee applies along with other penalties for late cancellations or no-shows. Refunds may include the recreation use fee minus any penalties.

AccessibilityAccessible restrooms are available, and the campground is relatively flat, aiding mobility.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious, well-spaced, and capable of accommodating large setups such as 30-ft RVs.

PrivacyThe sites offer a good degree of privacy, with many being shaded and well-separated by trees.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites near the pond for scenic views or next to the restrooms for convenience. Users note varying levels of privacy and terrain.

Need help booking Basin Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

Basin Campground provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. Its location near Basin Pond and the Basin Trail makes it a hub for outdoor recreation.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes are reported as a significant nuisance during summer. User reviews frequently noted issues with bathroom facilities and uphill hikes to restrooms.

Active AlertsNo explicit current warnings available.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyCampfires permitted in designated fire rings. Firewood available for purchase onsite, but reviews describe it as 'VERY pricey.'

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Specified quiet hours enforced, particularly at 10 PM.

Emergency ServicesUnknown

Trash & RecyclingNo detailed information provided about trash and recycling facilities at this campground.

Water FeaturesShort distance from the 23-acre Basin Pond.

Camp HostHosts Roy and Ann are frequently praised for their helpfulness and hospitality. 'Hosts are the best we have ever dealt with.'

Weather at Basin Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

117 reviews

Recommended

Basin Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is generally well-loved for its remote, quiet location and proximity to outdoor activities. However, maintenance issues with bathrooms and generator noise were common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 117 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the campground's scenic beauty, spacious and private sites, and friendly hosts. One reviewer noted, 'The views of the basin were unbelievable.' Another highlighted the 'clean and...

Based on 117 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include bathroom maintenance ('No sink in men's bathroom, no soap or hand sanitizer'), lack of trail maps, and high bug activity ('The mosquitoes were vicious').

Based on 117 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray, arrive early to secure a good site, and plan hikes ahead due to the lack of trail maps. Avoid bringing firewood from outside the area to prevent invasive pests.

Based on 117 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is popular for hiking, swimming, and family activities, but mosquito activity can be intense. Winter allows for nearby skiing, though the campground itself is seasonal.

Based on 117 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Nothing more peaceful than falling asleep to the sounds of the owls and loons.' 2. 'The pond was breathtaking but my least favorite camping experience due to mosquitoes.' 3. 'Hosts Roy and Ann...

Based on 117 reviews