Less than an hour's drive from Mount Washington and all the valley
attractions, Basin is one of four public campgrounds in Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest.
It's aptly named for its small lake surrounded by
mountains. Swimming and fishing are allowed in its clear, cool waters and a
trailer ramp provides access for non-motorized boats.
One of dozens of hiking
trails in the area, the Basin Trail around the 23-acre, dam-created Basin Pond
is a 4.5 mile circuit
through woods and meadows and to the lovely Hermit Falls.
Moose, loons and hawks are frequently sighted here. We didn't see a moose at the campground, despite evidence of the frequent
visits -- footprints and droppings. But a few miles outside the campground the
next morning, we pulled over to the side of the road to watch a magnificent bull
moose calmly grazing on tree branches.
The lake at Basin Campground offers paddling, swimming, wildlife
watching and hiking.
A few of the campsites are close to the water, but none have water views as
the woods have been allowed to grow up between the camping loop and the water.
Still, we fell asleep to the sound of a pair of loons calling. And the drive
through Evans Notch is one of the prettiest in an area with breathtaking
scenery.
When we stayed here mid-week in late June, the weather was delightful, but
the campground was only about a third full. That changes on weekends and after
July 4th, and the campground is usually filled, according to the campground
host.
Advanced reservations are accepted for 13 sites; the other 8 sites --
including a few near the water -- are left up for grabs on a first-come,
first-served basis. Sites are often reserved well in advance of the season. If
you don't have a reservation and are planning to try for a non-reservable site,
make sure you get here early in the day, preferably not on a Friday or Saturday.
The White Mountains are a very popular tourist destination and most of the
National Forest campgrounds in Maine and New Hampshire are full by mid-afternoon on summer
weekends, prime summer vacation weeks, and weekends during foliage season.
Of the 21 campsites, 14 are suitable for RVs. There are no water or
electrical hookups, and while drinking water is available, there are no hookups
to fill RV water storage tanks. Like all of the campgrounds run by the Forest
Service in this area, there is no dump station. A number of private campgrounds
in the area allow non-guest dumping for a fee. Campground bathrooms have flush toilets,
sinks with cold running water, and an electrical outlet. There are no showers.
Sites are large and well-spaced. Trees and ground cover provide plenty of
privacy. Tent sites are well away from those suitable for RVs, many of them up a
set of steps from the parking area. 2007 prices were $18 for a site with one
vehicle, with $5 charged for an extra vehicle.
Buy your food and gas before arriving, the closest town with gas and a small
grocery store is Fryeburg, 15 miles away. Other National Forest campgrounds in
Evans Notch are Wild River, Cold River and Hastings.
Sites for tents are large, shaded and private.
Campgrounds Guide 
