If you're looking for a break from the stresses of everyday life, pack up the RV and point it in the direction of White Lake State Park. This 140-acre New Hampshire park sits on the banks of a scenic glacial lake surrounded by thick forests of towering white pines. The beautiful landscape makes this park the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. Once you've relaxed enough, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation right at the door of your camper. Take a stroll around the lake on the two-mile footpath that offers picturesque views of the pristine water and Mount Chocorua's jagged summit in the distance. If you tread lightly, you may hear loons singing or woodpeckers hammering away at the pines. Anglers can fish for trout, and kayakers can paddle along the smooth water. White Lake State Park offers an excellent location for group picnics and outings. A shelter near the shore of White Lake has electricity, picnic tables, and plenty of space to set up grills. Scenic drives are common in the autumn for viewing the outstanding fall foliage of this area, and winter brings a whole new way to experience the park. When snow accumulates, winter sports enthusiasts flock to the park to enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. The park is open and staffed from May to October, and guests visiting outside of the peak operating season must partake in activities at their own risk. Whether you're hauling your own rig or renting a camper from nearby, there are 90 RV-friendly sites available at the park. So, what are you waiting for? Pack the Airstream, load up the family, and prepare for an unforgettable trip.
White Lake State Park Campground's location helps make the park a home base to enjoy many activities and attractions in and around the area. White Lake is only 20 miles south of North Conway in Tamworth, New Hampshire. It is a few hours from Concord and also close to Portland, Maine, as well as Boston, Massachusetts. The White Mountain National Forest is a 20-minute drive from the park along the White Mountain Highway (NH-16) and makes for an incredible day trip. The road to the forest is curvy in some areas, and drivers maneuvering large vehicles like RVs or trailers should be extra vigilant.
Winter driving can present a challenge if there is unexpected snowfall, so always check the local weather and road conditions before heading out. Once you reach the park, there are no RV restrictions, so getting around the park and to your campsite is easy. There are roads that lead you to both major RV friendly campgrounds, so you’ll have no issues getting to your campsite.
When you stay at Chocorua KOA, the possibilities for fun are endless. Hike the nearby White Mountains, get some shopping done at the outlet mall, or take the kids on a scenic drive. Pets are welcome, and the campground is equipped with a dog park, dog swimming area, and doggie daycare. Some of the activities offered at the campground include movies, volleyball, camp crafts, hayrides, tie-dying, candy bar bingo, Texas Hold ‘em, and more! Take a dip in the pool or the lake, go fishing and paddling on Moores Pond, or sit back and relax by watching some cable television, and stay connected with Wi-Fi. Electric hookups are available at most sites, and most sites accommodate rights up to 43 feet. Propane and firewood are available for purchase.
The 204-site campground in White Lake State Park is open from mid-May through Columbus Day in mid-October. The campground is separated into three loops, all close to the scenic White Lake. The main loops offer 90 sites for RVs and another 79 sites for pop-ups and tents. One loop is a bit closer to the lake, although all of the loops have trails that provide easy access to the water. There is a range of different campsites, depending on the size of your RV. Each site is primitive without hookups, but you'll have a fire ring, a picnic table, and access to potable water nearby. The campground has a camp store, coin-operated showers, canoe rentals, ice, a dump station, and firewood. All of the campsites can be booked online or by phone. If you are looking to come during the summer months, be sure to reserve a site in advance, as the park can fill up quickly.
Easily reached by one of the park's walking trails is a 72-acre stand of pitch pine trees, a registered National Natural Landmark. Early settlers in New Hampshire may have used these durable, water-repellent, and decay-resistant pinewoods for fence posts and mill wheels. Today, the mature pitch pine grove contains trees that are unusually tall for this species, with some trunks exceeding two feet in diameter. For an area to become a National Natural Landmark, the location must demonstrate properties that illustrate the nation's diversified natural resources, and the White Lake Pitch Pine Area meets those requirements.
If you have had enough of the water, then consider taking a hike around White Lake. It only takes about 40 minutes to circumnavigate the pristine glacial waters of the lake. Along the path, you'll see the lake differently than you would if you were in a boat. Strolling past flora and fauna on this trail is equally enjoyable as it is rewarding. The picnic areas that sit around the park make it easy to stop and have lunch before you continue walking. Whatever path you choose to take, you will have plenty of opportunities to see large sections of the park while out on your hike.
This park offers some of the clearest waters that you’ll find in the White Mountains, so you won’t want to miss a chance to take a boat out onto White Lake. Although you have plenty of different options for boating, be aware that no motorized boats are allowed on the lake. If you didn't haul your own boat along in the rig, rentals are available. Boat rentals make getting out on the water easy, no matter if you’re looking to rent a canoe for the whole family, or go kayaking along the shore of the lake.
Nearly every campsite offered in the two campgrounds can be reserved. However, there are a few sites that are first-come, first-served. Most of these spaces are located in Campground 1, but there is one site found in Campground 2. These first-come, first-served sites will fill up quickly during summer weekends, so make sure to get there early if you are planning on trying to get a site without a reservation.
Youth Group Camping is welcome at the 204-site campground at White Lake. The campground offers a camp store, showers, ice, firewood, and canoe rentals. Campers can enjoy trout fishing, swimming, canoeing, and a two-mile walk around White Lake with a detour through the White Lake Pitch Pine National Natural Landmark. The Kancamagus National Scenic Byway, additional hiking trails, and shopping outlets are within twenty minutes of the campground.
Located on the shore of a glacial lake, White Lake State Park offers some the finest swimming you’ll find in the northeast. Visit during the spring for a chilly swim to shake off the winter blues, or opt to take a refreshing dive during the hottest months of the year. You’ll find cool, crystal clear water no matter when you visit. With beaches that stretch along the shore, you’ll find plenty of room to relax after a hike. Perhaps you'd enjoy a full day of soaking up the sun—just don't forget your sunscreen! There are picnic areas near the beach, so you can have lunch on the shore and enjoy the calm waters of the lake. Lifeguards may not always be present at the beach, so an adult should always accompany children. Visitors should also note that the beach gate closes and locks at sunset.
If you want a slightly faster way around White Lake State Park, consider bringing along a snowmobile. Race around the lake and enjoy the icy splendor of the park during the winter. Just make sure that you’re bundled up to protect against the cold New Hampshire cold. There is an extensive network of trails that you can take to and from White Lake State Park if you want to add a bit more distance to your ride. These trails connect with various other trails that can take you throughout the White Mountain area. Use White Lake State Park as an RV-home base as you explore the area. Visitors should note that the park is not staffed during the off-season, and guests must ride at their own risk.
If you want to take it a bit slower or head off the trail, strap on your snowshoes and come to the park after a winter storm. Follow the lake trail and enjoy the frozen waters of the glacial lake, or go off-trail and explore the white, frozen forests. If you want a longer trek, connect with one of the many trails that lead in and out of the park and explore the White Mountains on foot. There isn’t always snow on the ground during the winter, so planning ahead can be difficult. If you are visiting during the winter, make sure you have all of the winter gear you might need along with you in your campervan in case it snows.
When the temperature begins to drop and the first snow of the season falls, take those skis out of your toy-hauler, and hit the trails at White Lake State Park. Circle around the frozen waters of White Lake on one of the park's multiple trails. Weave through the icy trees of the forest and enjoy the trails around the park as well as those that will take you to other parts of the White Mountains. There are miles of trails out there for you to explore. You won’t be able to plan on snow too far in advance, so make sure that you bring your skis, just in case there is snow during your visit.
White Lake State Park is situated in an ideal spot to hit the road and enjoy a scenic drive. The start of the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway is just a 20-minute drive from the park and winds through parts of the picturesque White Mountain National Forest. From the park, head north to Conway and then turn west onto Route 112. The 34-mile drive is one of the most memorable trips in New Hampshire during the autumn when the fall colors are at their peak. During the fall, up to 4,000 vehicles travel this route every day. The high volume of traffic can cause backups and delays, but don't fret, there are plenty of places to pull off for hiking, photo-ops, and picnicking. Large vehicles should beware of sharp turns along the way.
