Outdoor recreation draws second-home buyers to Campton
Campton offers many of the appealing attributes of rural New Hampshire living: natural beauty, winding roads, historic covered bridges and small-town pride. The Grafton County town, set in the scenic foothills of the White Mountains, includes several small villages that dot the banks of the Pemigewasset, Mad and Beebe rivers, as well as the more remote community of Ellsworth, known for being the only dry town in New Hampshire. Outdoorsy is the lifestyle here. “There is a lot of hiking. The ski resorts are all within drivable distance,” says Juli Kelley, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty Center Harbor, who lives nearby in Rumney. She adds that Campton is popular with second-home buyers looking for vacation homes: “It tends to be a lot of people from Massachusetts,” she says. Highway access is another draw, making it easier to reach larger towns and shopping areas.
Condos, townhouses and single-family homes surrounded by nature
Dense swaths of forest hug many of Campton’s single-family homes. Some properties sit close together in small subdivisions, while others front two-lane highways or are secluded on several acres along dirt roads. Architectural styles here are diverse, ranging from log cabins to Colonial Revivals and custom contemporary designs. The median price for a single-family home is around $410,000, in line with the national median. Most homes fall between $180,000 and $670,000. However, houses on large parcels of land and luxury homes in sought-after communities such as Waterville Estates can range from about $680,000 to nearly $1.5 million. Townhouses start at around $110,000 and can reach up to $390,000. Most condos are in Campton Upper Village and cost between $160,000 and $360,000. With multiple rivers flowing through town, Campton has experienced several flooding incidents, most recently in 2023. Portions of the town are at risk of wildfire, according to the First Street Foundation.
Outdoor adventures in the White Mountains
Exploring the great outdoors is a popular pastime in Campton. The Blair Woodlands Natural Area is known for its quiet trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, which wind through mature hardwood and coniferous trees. Over in Ellsworth, hikers can explore the White Mountain National Forest via the Three Ponds Trail, which is best experienced in the fall when the foliage turns into an earth-toned palette of yellows, reds and oranges. A livelier atmosphere can be found at Livermore Falls State Forest, which offers access to the rushing Pemigewassett River rapids that were once powerful waterfalls used by the milling industry. “Livermore Falls is great,” Kelley says. “I have young kids, and they just jump off the rocks. It does draw a lot of college kids.” Campton Falls is another popular swimming hole, and Stinson Lake offers boating and trout fishing. “Stinson Lake is a hidden gem, and we like to keep it that way,” Kelley says. Nearby, Campton Mountain Ski Area appeals to both beginner and well-seasoned skiers for its relaxed atmosphere and short lift lines. Golfers can enjoy rounds at Owl’s Nest Resort, offering two public 18-hole courses.
Small businesses thrive in Campton
Mom-and-pop shops are the beating heart of Campton’s commercial sector. “They love to support local businesses and keep them alive. Supporting local is big,” Kelley says. Campton Cupboard offers groceries and prepared meals. Down the road, The Dam Brewhouse pours pints of its latest brews. The menu at Mad River Tavern features an eclectic mix of American and Mexican fare, while seafood is the specialty at The Little Red Schoolhouse. Kelley recommends Mad River Coffee House, a rustic yet vibrant spot for breakfast and live music. A few national retailers and the nearest full-service hospital, Speare Memorial Hospital, are less than 10 miles away in Plymouth, a lively college town.
Students can attend above-average public and private schools
School Administrative Unit No. 48 serves Campton and is not yet rated by Niche. The B-rated Campton Elementary teaches kindergarten through eighth grade. Students can move on to Plymouth Regional High, which also gets a B rating and features a career and technical center with seven programs, including Automotive Technology and Outdoor Recreation Leadership. Alternatively, the region offers several private boarding schools, such as the A-plus-rated Holderness School. The public Plymouth State University is about 6 miles south of town and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Two highways, including Interstate 93, link Campton to other towns
Campton is car dependent. Interstate 93 and U.S. Route 3 crisscross as they pass through the center of town, connecting commuters to Plymouth and Lincoln. Manchester, home to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is about 65 miles away. The capital city of Concord is less than 50 miles away. While Campton doesn’t have access to public mass transportation, Transport Central provides non-emergency medical transportation for eligible residents. Potential buyers should note that many roads in Ellsworth are private, and a significant portion of Stinson Lake Road is closed during the winter months.
