Cold River

New Hampshire

Blocked todayNew Hampshire
Blocked today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Blocked

for campground, today

An agency closure order is in effect for this area; weather is marginal

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 11 h ago · oldest 11 h

  • problem: Agency alerts

    7 active alerts in White Mountain National Forest; most severe: Rattlesnake Fire – Pemigewasset Ranger District

    USFSPosted Aug 15 · checked 11 h ago

  • caution: Weather

    Rain, high 56°F / low 45°F, 100% precip — 66/100 for campground

    OpenWeather11 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Campsite availability

Live from Recreation.gov for Cold River.

Book on Recreation.gov
Oct 10 – Oct 17
7 nights

We'll watch 2026-10-10 → 2026-10-17 and email you the moment something frees up. No account needed.

Used only for this alert — not a newsletter, and one click to stop.

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Cold River

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About this campground

Overview 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. 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.

Campsite info

Sites
14
Site types
Rv, Tent
Reservable
Yes
Reserve a site

Directions & GPX

Facts about this campground

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for White Mountain National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Rules & access

Amenities
Restrooms

Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB)

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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