Can you reserve a site at Cold River?

Yes, Cold River is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Cold River have?

14 sites in total, of which 8 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Cold River?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cold River?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cold River.

Cold River, New Hampshire — 8 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

Season: mid-May – mid-October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
8 bookable sites
14 sites in total, including non-bookable
8 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: COLD, MANAGEMENT SITES

Site types

8 Standard Nonelectric
6 Management

Amenities

Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

14 campsites at Cold River

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
004	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
005	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
006	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
007	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
010	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
012	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
013	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
014	COLD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	♿ 🐾
XXX1	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX2	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX3	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX4	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX5	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX6	MANAGEMENT SITES	Management	—	—	—	—

Getting there

From Fryeburg, Maine, take Highway 113 north 15 miles to the campground.

44.26444, -71.01333 · 44°15'52.0"N 71°0'48.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	4.1	3.3	3.9	4.6	5.1	5.6	4.7	4.9	4.2	5.9	4.7	4.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Cold River

Can you reserve a site at Cold River?: Yes, Cold River is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cold River have?: 14 sites in total, of which 8 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Cold River?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cold River?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cold River.

Also listed by

Cold River also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cold River's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Family Site Per site / per night $24.00
Extra Vehicle (Space Permitting) Per vehicle / per night $6.00

Accessibility:

This campground has accessible sites.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Cold River

Basin Campground 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hastings Campground 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Doublehead Cabin 8.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Black Mountain Cabin 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Baldface Shelter 3.2 mi · Campground
Wild River Campground 3.8 mi · Campground
Wild River / Basin Trailhead 3.8 mi · Facility
Burnt Mill Brook Trailhead 4.6 mi · Facility
Roost North Trailhead 6.5 mi · Facility
Slippery Brook Trailhead 6.9 mi · Facility
Mountain Pond Shelter 6.9 mi · Campground
Imp Shelter 8.1 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 603-447-2166
Email whitemountaincampgrounds@goexplorus.com
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Cold River