Your Adventure Awaits: Best Places to Go Camping in New England

When you live in the big city, it is always important to find an enjoyable activity to get your mind off work and other stressors. Now everyone has their own idea of fun, and for some, it could be a simple escape to another state while soaking in all the urban goodness the state capital has to offer.

But how about you try to kick things up a notch by communing with nature? This doesn’t pertain to a day’s visit to the nature park, we’re talking about camping! Camping is the ultimate escape from your busy lives. There are no distracting texts from the boss, no projects, and no commitments.

Fortunately, you don’t need to look no further than New England for your camping trip. The scenic northeastern region of the country is abundant with natural wonders. And if you’re wondering, fall is definitely the best season to start pitching that tent.

So without further ado, here are the best places you can go camping in New England.

5 New England Camping Grounds to Visit and Bask in the Beauty of Nature

1. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

The White Mountains provide you with the most rustic experience in all of New England. Hiking may be quite the challenge due to extreme weather conditions in the area. However, the experience is totally worth it once you get the chance to soak in the view. The leaves turn a lovely shade of red, orange, and yellow during the autumn season, so the months of September to October might be the best time to pack your camping bags.

There’s no need to worry if you miss out on your chance this season since White Mountain National Forest is open to visitors all-year round. You can choose from a variety of camping experiences including family-friendly campgrounds to total solitude in the wild. All developed campgrounds may require reservations, but if you are looking for a more raw experience, you can opt for backcountry tent camping in regulated areas. Also, a word of advice here: bring a GPS tracker with you. The White Mountain trail can be difficult, even for the most seasoned hikers.

2. George Washington Memorial Camping Area, Rhode Island

If you enjoy lush vegetation, then the George Washington Memorial Camping Area is the place to be. It is a large piece of land in the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area. Head straight to sites A1 through A5, a mass of hidden platforms positioned along the Angell Loop. Once you’ve made camp, you can start exploring the intermediate to difficult trails along the way. If you schedule your entire trip, there’s a huge chance you can catch the picturesque New England sunset that you won’t get to see anywhere else.

3. Acadia National Park in Maine

Maine is covered in 17 million acres of pine tree forest, thus earning the nickname “The Pine Tree State.” Aside from its abundance of pine trees, the scenic New England state boasts up to 6,000 lakes and ponds as well as rivers and streams that run up to 32,000 miles.

Throughout the years, Maine has become the top destination for campers. One of the most popular state parks is Acadia National Park, which is located on Mount Desert Island.The park is home to a variety of mammals including squirrels, bobcats, black bears, foxes, and moose. In total, Acadia National Park is a land with an area of 49,052 acres, consisting of 30,300 acres on Mount Desert Island, the 2,728 acres on Isle au Haut, and the 2,366 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula.

Despite the massive area, the park has only designated three campgrounds (sorry, backcountry enthusiasts):

• Blackwoods — situated close to the island’s only town center of Bar Harbor
• Schoodic Woods — a mass of land surrounded by water on the Schoodic Peninsula
• Seawall — least dense of all three campgrounds

4. Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

Vermont’s Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, constructed somewhere between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club. The Long Trail alone should be enough reason for you to visit Green Mountain National Forest. Imagine getting the chance to hike the 273 mile distance (or maybe at least a part of it), now that could be quite the feat for any camper.

The forest has five developed campgrounds that are open all-year round. Note that you’ll be totally cut off from civilization since the park has no electrical hookups or restrooms.

Backcountry is also allowed throughout the park, but make sure you check for signs before setting up camp.

5. Silver Hill Campsite in Connecticut

Along the world-famous Appalachian Trail lies the secluded Silver Hill Campsite. It may not be as known as the other camping grounds on this list, but that’s what makes it so great! This under-the-radar piece of land provides the best views of the sunrise over the Housatonic River. There are campgrounds that are equipped with picnic tables, water pumps, and pavilions. But if you want more of the peace and quiet, backcountry AT sites are also available at a first-come, first-served basis.