U.S. Forest Service · White Mountain National Forest · NH

Cold River

Cold River Campground CampsitePhoto · U.S. Forest Service
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
14Sites
40 ftMax rig

The place

Cold River Campground is located in a rustic, remote part of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, about 15 miles north of Fryeburg, Maine. It is a small facility with access to hiking and mountain biking trails and proximity to a small pond for fishing and canoeing. The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and is one of the most popular in the country. Recreation The 4.5-mile Basin Trail leaves from nearby Basin Campground. Keep reading

Numerous other hiking and mountain biking trails lie within a short drive, including those in the Caribou Speckled Mountain Wilderness. Trout fishing is available in Basin Pond. The pond's calm waters are also ideal for canoeing. Learn more about recreation in the national forest. Facilities Cold River is a small facility with campsites organized around one loop. Accessible restrooms and a hand pump for water are provided. Picnic areas are nearby. There are no showers or a dump station. Natural Features The campground is in a pleasant mixed hardwood and pine forest, a short distance from Evans Brook and the 23-acre Basin Pond. The national forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the White Mountains. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (802) 289-0970. Nearby Attractions The towns of Fryeburg, Gilead and Stow, Maine have groceries, restaurants, gas and other conveniences. Campers might enjoy a scenic day trip to the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River. The area hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, special events and regional and national skiing and snowboarding races.

The sites · 14

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
COLD004standard nonelectric30 ftyes
COLD005standard nonelectric30 ftyes
COLD006standard nonelectric30 ftyes
COLD007standard nonelectric40 ftyes
COLD010standard nonelectric30 ftyes
COLD012standard nonelectric40 ftyes
COLD013standard nonelectric40 ftyes
COLD014standard nonelectric35 ftyes
MANAGEMENT SITESXXX1management
MANAGEMENT SITESXXX2management
MANAGEMENT SITESXXX3management
MANAGEMENT SITESXXX4management
MANAGEMENT SITESXXX5management
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Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Who runs it

Operated by Vista Recreation, a private concessionaire, under permit from the agency.

SRC · Operator link · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in NH-01. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard