Camp on a Pond Beneath the Peaks
Basin Campground sits on Basin Pond at the south end of Evans Notch, about 15 miles north of Fryeburg on Route 113 and just up the road from Cold River. It is one of four small White Mountain National Forest campgrounds in this Maine valley, and it has the best on-water setting of the bunch: a quiet pond ringed by forest with the high ridges of the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness rising right behind it. You camp, fish, and paddle with mountains in every direction.
This is a rustic national-forest campground, not a resort. You get a wooded site, a fire ring, and the pond at your doorstep, with no hookups and no store. The combination of pondside paddling, trail access into the wilderness, and the general quiet of Evans Notch makes Basin a favorite for people who want a low-key mountain weekend without the crowds of the better-known White Mountain destinations.
The Campground
Some of the sites are reservable in advance through Recreation.gov, and others are held first-come, first-served, so you have a shot at a same-day spot if you arrive early. The campground centers on Basin Pond, which has a launch for non-motorized boats, making it ideal for a canoe or kayak. Hiking trails climb from the area up into the high country to the east, so you can pair a paddling-and-fishing base camp with a real mountain day hike.
There is no cell service in the notch. Come prepared to be off the grid for the length of your stay.
Sites & Amenities
The amenities are the national-forest basics: vault toilets, potable water on site, picnic tables, and fire rings, plus the non-motorized boat launch on the pond. There are no showers and no hookups. Campsite fees run about $30 per night, with roughly $6 per night for each additional vehicle, and Senior and Access pass holders get 50 percent off. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Campsite mosquito-free zone
Basin was scheduled for a delayed opening in 2026 because of construction, with the campground expected to open later than its usual mid-May start. Check the current Forest Service or Recreation.gov listing before you plan an early-season trip, and have Cold River or Hastings as a backup if Basin has not opened yet.
Getting There
Basin is on Route 113 about 15 miles north of Fryeburg, near Cold River Campground at the southern end of Evans Notch. From Portland it is roughly an hour and three-quarters up Route 25 and Route 113 through Fryeburg; from Bangor it is over three hours. From the north, Route 113 runs south through the notch from Gilead past Hastings.
Route 113 through Evans Notch is gated closed in winter and is not maintained for cold-weather travel. The campground runs mid-May to mid-October in a normal year. Confirm current conditions and the 2026 opening date with the Forest Service before you go.
When to Visit
Spring
Normally opens mid-May, though 2026 was delayed by construction. Black flies peak from mid-May into June.
Summer
Warm days, pond paddling, and trail access into the wilderness. Reserve ahead for weekends.
Fall
Foliage fills the notch in late September and early October. Cool nights, few bugs, and a quiet pond. Closes mid-October.
Winter
Closed. Route 113 is gated and the south end of the notch is inaccessible.
Summer for the water and fall for the color. The pond at sunrise is the reason to camp here rather than at the riverside sites.
Packing List
Basin Campground Trip
- Tent and ground tarp
- Sleeping bag for cool mountain nights
- Camp stove and fuel (no store)
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Bug spray or a repeller for black-fly season
- Canoe or kayak for Basin Pond (non-motorized only)
- Cash or card for self-pay fees
- Downloaded maps (no cell service)
FAQ
Can you reserve Basin Campground?
Yes, in part. Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov and others are first-come, first-served. Reserve ahead for summer weekends.
Can I paddle on Basin Pond?
Yes. The pond has a launch for non-motorized boats, so canoes and kayaks are welcome. Motorboats are not allowed.
When is Basin Campground open?
Normally mid-May through mid-October. The 2026 season was delayed by construction, so check the current Forest Service listing before an early trip.
What facilities does it have?
Vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and a non-motorized boat launch. There are no showers or hookups.
Is there cell service?
No. Evans Notch has no reliable cell service. Download maps and share your plans before you go.
Basin is one of four campgrounds in the notch. Cold River is right next door; see also Hastings and Crocker Pond, or the overview at Evans Notch Campgrounds.
