Hastings

Summary

Hastings Campground is located in the White Mountain National Forest of western Maine and New Hampshire, offering a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding. The campground features accessible restrooms, a hand pump for water, a large play area for kids and is home to many species of wildlife. It is also near the highest peak in the forest, the 6,288-foot Mount Washington.

Overview

Hastings Campground is located on Route 113 near the shore of Evans Brook in western Maine. It is situated in a rustic and remote part of White Mountain National Forest, not far from the towns of Gilead Me and Gorham, New Hampshire. Activities include fishing, hiking and mountain biking. 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

Within a short drive, campers can access numerous hiking trails of various levels, including a short, 2-mile trail that is great for families, as well as a more rigorous 9-mile trail on Mt. Hastings.

Fishing is available in nearby streams and rivers, and the famous Appalachian Trail is about a half-hour drive from the campground.

The area also 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.

Learn more about recreation in the national forest.

Facilities

Campsites are shaded and well-separated around a single loop. Accessible restrooms and a hand pump for water are provided within the facility. The campground also has a large, open play area for kids.

Natural Features

The campground sits in a mixed hardwood forest at the base of Mt. Hastings and a short distance from Evans Brook and the Wild River. The 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.

Nearby Attractions

Campers enjoy a scenic day trip to the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-foot Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.