New Hampshire is a compact but high-reward RV destination — the White Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee, and some of the best fall foliage in the country make it a perennial favorite for New England RVers. The average rental runs about $140/night, with travel trailers starting around $95/night and Class C motorhomes typically running $180/night.
Franconia Notch has hard vehicle restrictions — this is a real constraint. I-93 through Franconia Notch State Park narrows to a two-lane parkway. Vehicles over 9 feet tall, 8 feet wide, or with certain axle configurations may be prohibited or restricted to specific hours. Check NHDOT current restrictions for your exact vehicle before planning any White Mountains itinerary.
A mid-size Class C is the best all-around choice for New Hampshire. Most White Mountains campgrounds — Dry River, Hancock, Dolly Copp — have site length limits around 35 feet. A Class C under 30 feet navigates all of them cleanly. A larger rig works at Franconia Notch State Park's Lafayette Campground but not at all Forest Service sites.
Fall foliage season (late September–mid-October) is peak demand. New Hampshire foliage is world-class. Campgrounds in the White Mountains and around Lake Winnipesaukee fill months in advance for Columbus Day weekend. Book as soon as the reservation window opens.
A tow vehicle is worth having for Mount Washington access. The Mount Washington Auto Road charges per vehicle and per passenger. An RV can drive it, but the steep grade and narrow road make a passenger vehicle the more comfortable choice. Having a tow vehicle means you can drive to the summit without moving camp.
New Hampshire is manageable with advance planning. The White Mountains add some complexity but are entirely worth it.
White Mountain National Forest campgrounds book through Recreation.gov. Dolly Copp (near Gorham) is the largest Forest Service campground in the Northeast. Reservations open 6 months ahead and fill fast for summer weekends. Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch books even faster for fall color.
New Hampshire state park campgrounds use the ReserveAmerica system. Pawtuckaway, Franconia Notch (Lafayette Place), and Pillsbury are among the most popular. Open reservations well ahead for summer and October.
Mount Washington weather changes rapidly. The summit holds world records for wind speed. If you're hiking or driving to the top, check the Mount Washington Observatory forecast — it's updated multiple times daily and is specific to summit conditions.
Lake Winnipesaukee private campgrounds are the most popular in the Lakes Region. The lake's state park access is limited but private campgrounds in Meredith, Gilford, and Alton Bay are well-equipped with full hookups. Book early for July 4th and Labor Day.
Exploring this great state can't be done in one day, so to get the most out of your visit, consider staying the night at one of the top campgrounds in New Hampshire. If you're looking to be near the water, Wakeda Campgrounds in Hampton Falls is an excellent option that offers boating and swimming access, picnicking, and proximity to beaches. Mountaineers who plan to explore the 800,000 acres of White Mountain in New Hampshire will love staying over at the Littleton/Franconia Notch KOA Holiday Campground.
Most New Hampshire campgrounds and RV parks offer accommodations for large-size rigs. However, you will find that some only have space for RVs in the 25-foot range. With that said, when booking a site for the night in New Hampshire, check the RV size guidelines. For the most part, you can find family-friendly campsites for as low as $48 a night with great amenities like laundry facilities, free WiFi, playgrounds, electric and water hookups, and bathhouses.
If you opt to vacation in locations that don't offer a sewer hookup option, no worries. New Hampshire has plenty of dump stations around to accommodate your needs. Some are located at state parks, gas stations, rest areas, truck stops, and wastewater plants. Naturally, you'll find dump stations in the resorts, campgrounds, and RV parks.
Most are open during business hours, but some will be open 24/7. In most cases, dump stations at campgrounds are free for guests, but those who are not planning on spending the night are generally required to pay a small fee.
On average expect to pay $185 per night in New Hampshire.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in New Hampshire?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in New Hampshire from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in New Hampshire?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in New Hampshire?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in New Hampshire.