New Hampshire RV seasonal calendar

New Hampshire compresses a lot of mountain into a small state. Summer opens the Whites and the Lakes Region, late September through mid-October delivers a spectacular foliage season, and winter returns the notches to snow.

1. January· off-season cautionSnowbound White Mountains winter. Highs near 32°F, lows near 12°F.

   Activities: Ski-town days in the White Mountains · Snowshoeing on marked forest trails · Ice-draped waterfall photography

   RV trip: Full winter — an inspiring month to visit, a demanding one to camp; most RV travel waits for late spring.

   Considerations: Mount Washington's weather is famously violent; treat all higher summits as expert winter terrain.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

2. February· off-season cautionDeep snowpack, brightening skies. Highs near 35°F, lows near 14°F.

   Activities: Cross-country ski networks in the notches · Winter carnival weekends in the college towns · Sled-dog and snow events in the North Country

   RV trip: Another winterized-only month on the camping side, and a peak month for snow lovers day-tripping from warm bases.

   Considerations: Snow load and ice make unattended rigs a liability; daily clearing is part of winter camping here.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

3. March· off-season cautionLate winter and maple steam. Highs near 45°F, lows near 24°F.

   Activities: Sugarhouse visits during maple season (Maple Weekend lands in late March) · Spring skiing on soft afternoons · First bare-ground walks in the southern tier

   RV trip: March is maple month and mud's overture — camping stays niche while sap and snowmelt both run.

   Considerations: Mud season closes many dirt roads and trails to protect them; heed the postings.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

4. AprilThaw, rain, and stubborn snow up high. Highs near 57°F, lows near 34°F.

   Activities: Waterfalls at maximum snowmelt flow · Early lake-country walks around Winnipesaukee · Quiet White Mountain valley drives before the season

   RV trip: April is for flexible ramblers — the valleys open up while high trails stay snowbound and campgrounds ready for May.

   Considerations: Higher-elevation trails hold ice into May; most campgrounds open mid-May.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

5. MaySpring green climbing the hillsides. Highs near 69°F, lows near 45°F.

   Activities: Lilac season across the village greens · Franconia Notch hiking as trails dry out · Lakes Region boat ramps waking up

   RV trip: May brings the state online — fresh forests, open campgrounds, and a pleasant lull before summer families arrive.

   Considerations: Black flies emerge from mid-May through June; head nets earn their keep.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

6. JuneWarm days, cool mountain nights. Highs near 78°F, lows near 54°F.

   Activities: Kancamagus Highway pull-offs and swimming holes · Mount Washington Auto Road on clear mornings · Loon calls across quiet lakes at dusk

   RV trip: June is the connoisseur's White Mountains month — full summer access with longer light and lighter traffic.

   Considerations: Summit weather changes violently even in summer; carry warm layers on any big hike.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

7. JulyPeak summer in mountains and lakes. Highs near 82°F, lows near 59°F.

   Activities: Lakes Region swimming and boating · Ridge hikes and hut traverses in the Whites · Evening band concerts in the resort towns

   RV trip: High season — the notches and lakes fill up, so reserve favorite campgrounds ahead and hike early for parking.

   Considerations: Trailhead lots at popular notches fill by mid-morning on fine weekends.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions · Boats & on-water

8. AugustRipe, warm late summer. Highs near 80°F, lows near 57°F.

   Activities: The year's warmest lake swimming · Blueberries on open ledges and summits · Star-filled nights in the North Country

   RV trip: August holds the summer line — busy but happy, with lake mornings and mountain afternoons in easy reach of one another.

   Considerations: August thunderstorms build over the ridges by afternoon; time exposed hikes early.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions · Boats & on-water

9. September· prime monthCrisp air, first color in the high country. Highs near 72°F, lows near 49°F.

   Activities: Early foliage touching the high notches late month · Quieter trail days after Labor Day · Harvest stands and apple orchards opening

   RV trip: September is the state's prime month — summer's access without its crowds, and the color season beginning right on schedule.

   Considerations: Frosts return to the North Country in September; summit conditions turn wintry early.

   Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

10. OctoberPeak foliage — the White Mountains' great show. Highs near 60°F, lows near 38°F.

    Activities: Kancamagus Highway at peak color (typically early-to-mid October in the Whites) · Covered-bridge touring in the Connecticut River valley · Farm stands, cider, and harvest fairs

    RV trip: October is why people cross oceans for New England — drive the Kancamagus midweek if you can, and hold campground plans loosely around the peak.

    Considerations: The holiday weekend in mid-October is the corridor's busiest of the year; snow dusts the summits by late month.

    Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

11. NovemberStick season — bare, gray, quiet. Highs near 47°F, lows near 29°F.

    Activities: Silent-forest hikes before the snowpack · Early ski-area turns at altitude late month · Small-town holiday kickoff weekends

    RV trip: November is the in-between: most campgrounds close, the mountains wait for snow, and the state exhales after foliage.

    Considerations: Freeze-ups begin in earnest; trailheads glaze with early ice.

    Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions

12. December· off-season cautionEarly winter settling into the notches. Highs near 36°F, lows near 18°F.

    Activities: Holiday lights in Portsmouth and the mountain villages · First good snowshoe outings of the season · Ski towns finding their winter rhythm

    RV trip: December returns the Whites to winter's keeping — visit for the snow-globe villages, camp only if built for real cold.

    Considerations: Snowstorms and single-digit nights arrive by mid-December most years.

    Best rigs: Motorhomes & RVs · Trucks & van conversions