How much does camping cost at Big Rock?

Camping fees at Big Rock 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 Big Rock first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Rock 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 Big Rock before I book?

Yes! Big Rock has 10 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 Big Rock?

Big Rock is open May 22 to October 08. 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 Big Rock?

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

How many campsites does Big Rock have?

Big Rock has 28 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Big Rock?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Rock. 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 Big Rock?

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

Big Rock

Q: Can I have a campfire at Big Rock?

Fire policies at Big Rock: Don't Move Firewood :To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.orgfor more information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.31

131 reviews

Featured in:Fall Camping New Hampshire Best Campgrounds New Hampshire Hiking Camping New Hampshire +3 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,545 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open annually from M...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on USDA Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,545 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open annually from M...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on USDA Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Big Rock

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Non Electric Peak Season: $30.00; Tent Only Non Electric Peak Season: $30.00; Walk To Non Electric Peak Season: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov...

Hike and Bike Site Fee$30.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(603) 536-6100whitemountaincampgrounds@goexplorus.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Big Rock

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Big Rock

44.0487, -71.5610

Nearby places

Lincoln: Approximately 8 minutes (about 5 miles). North Woodstock: Approximately 15 minutes (about 10 miles). Conway: Approximately 40 minutes.

Weather at Big Rock

Current alerts(6)

Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside a hard-sided vehicle and remove all food from area after eating.
Campsite fee includes parking for two vehicles Additional fee of $6 PER NIGHT to be paid upon arrival for EACH additional vehicle(s).
Must fill out Fee Envelope at Self Service Pay Station Kiosk Post confirmation number Pay any additional Fees (see below) Put in provided GREEN FEE TUBE
Only 2 cars allowed to park on site; additional vehicles in overflow area.

Best Time to Camp at Big Rock

Best season: fall. Fall offers the region's signature spectacle — peak leaf color along the Kancamagus Highway — making it the best time to visit for photography, scenic drives, and crisp, comfortable hiking. Expect daytime highs from roughly 50–65°F in September, cooling to 30–50°F by early October with chilly nights; rivers run clearer and trout fishing stays good. Weekdays are pleasantly quiet, but weekends (especially late September–early October) draw heavy crowds for leaf-peeping, so plan mid-week visits or早 Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Signature leaf color and highly popular for fall foliage; reviews highlight fall as peak season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 08. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open annually from May 22 to October 13 during Peak Season. Closed during other months, with no booking available.

About Big Rock

Big Rock is a small USDA Forest Service campground in the White Mountain National Forest foothills near Lincoln, New Hampshire. It offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers use it as a base for hiking and fall foliage drives along the Kancamagus Highway.

Big Rock Campground offers standard non-electric campsites, tent-only non-electric sites, and walk-to campsites. Accommodations are rustic and suited for campers who prefer a natural, no-frills experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the region's signature spectacle — peak leaf color along the Kancamagus Highway — making it the best time to visit for photography, scenic drives, and crisp, comfortable hiking. Expect daytime highs from roughly 50–65°F in September, cooling to 30–50°F by early October with chilly nights; rivers run clearer and trout fishing stays good. Weekdays are pleasantly quiet, but weekends (especially late September–early October) draw heavy crowds for leaf-peeping, so plan mid-week visits or早 Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1545 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies wooded terrain at 1,545 feet elevation, with tall evergreens and deciduous trees shading individual sites. A massive boulder sits at the entrance. The East Branch Pemigewasset River flows nearby, accessible for swimming and fishing. Ancient glaciers carved the surrounding peaks and valleys into the dramatic mountain landscape visible from the Kancamagus Highway. Sites feel secluded despite the relatively small campground size, with enough tree cover and spacing that campers report feeling like they're hanging out in the woods rather than a developed facility.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not provide hotel-style lodging or cabin accommodations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive nights is enforced. Visitors may stay up to 14 nights during rolling 30-day periods.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 guests per site is permitted.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThere are accessible vault toilets and accessible parking spaces available.

Site SizeCampsites are described as large and well-spaced. A user review noted, 'Sites are large enough for our two tents.

PrivacySites are generally private, with significant spacing and wooded areas between them. A review mentioned, 'Small, well-maintained campground that felt very secluded. Campsites aren’t right next to each other so you feel like you’re hanging out in the woods.

Total Campsites28 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites further from the road to minimize noise. Sites #21-28 provide added privacy and are closer to the East Branch Pemigewasset River. Walk-To sites offer more seclusion.

Best CampsitesSite #3 offers privacy and sits near the campground's namesake boulder. Sites #21-28 provide the most seclusion and work well for tent camping. Sites farther from the road reduce highway noise, which becomes noticeable during peak foliage weekends.

Need help booking Big Rock?

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

Big Rock Campground offers 28 individual wooded campsites equipped with a picnic table, tent pad, and turnout for parking. Eight of these sites share a common parking area. Vault toilets are available on-site. Drinking water is provided during the peak season via an outdoor faucet. Fire pits with single-level grates are available at each site, providing opportunities for safe campfire usage. There are no showers, flush toilets, or electrical/water/sewer hookups. Trash and recycling facilities are conveniently located on-site.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Big Rock Campground provides access to various recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, and pleasure driving. It is close to several trailheads and scenic attractions.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

No Flush ToiletsThe campground does not have flush toilets; only vault toilets are provided.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood :To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.orgfor more information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are conveniently located on-site and within walking distance from most campsites. A user noted, 'Close walk for water, trash, and restrooms.'

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

131 reviews

Recommended

Big Rock is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Big Rock Campground is appreciated for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and secluded sites. Common praises include the friendly and helpful camp host, proximity to trails and attractions, and the campground's tranquil and natural setting. However, some users criticized the lack of cell service, road noise from the nearby highway, and occasional issues with vault toilet maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 131 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 131 reviews.

Site #3Loved
Site #3: 'Long driveway, unexpectedly private, close to the big rock for which the campground is named.'. 2.
Site #11Loved
Site #11: 'Quiet, clean, far from the main road, but near toilet with a squeaky door.'. 4.
Site #22Mentioned
Site #22: 'Next to bathrooms; smelled really bad whenever the wind blew.'. 3.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean and well-maintained facilities, spacious and private campsites, proximity to hiking trails and attractions, and a helpful camp host. A user remarked, 'We love that Big...

Based on 131 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include road noise from the nearby highway, lack of cellular service, and occasional issues with vault toilets. One user noted, 'Vault toilets were unusable due to mosquitoes and...

Based on 131 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include reserving campsites well in advance due to high demand, choosing sites further from the road for reduced noise, and bringing hand sanitizer as bathrooms lack it. A user suggested, 'If...

Based on 131 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall is particularly popular for its vibrant foliage and hiking opportunities. However, traffic in the area can be heavy during peak leaf-peeping weekends. Summer is busy due to its proximity to...

Based on 131 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The host, Doc, was so helpful and really cared about doing his best to keep this rustic campground feeling perfect!' 2. 'Nice, well-maintained campground. Sites are spaced out nicely.' 3. 'We had...

Based on 131 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground includes accessible vault toilets and parking spaces, but no specific reviews addressed accessibility experiences directly.

Based on 131 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at the campground, but there are no specific user reviews addressing pet experiences.

Based on 131 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a quiet base for hiking and leaf-peeping without resort amenities.

Skip if

You need electric hookups or want to avoid vault toilet odors and weekend traffic noise.

Nearby Campgrounds

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Hancock Campground

White Mountain National Forest

Hancock Campground sits along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in White Mountain National Forest, a mid-sized USDA Forest Service facility near Lincoln. The campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites amid a maple, birch, and beech canopy, with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and a camp store. Visitors come for riverside swimming holes, trailhead access, and fall foliage that peaks late September through early October.