273 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Bethlehem, New Hampshire spans full-service RV parks to primitive backcountry sites in the White Mountains region. Apple Hill Campground, located within Bethlehem itself, operates year-round and accommodates both tent and RV campers with full hookups. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access the highly-rated Franconia Notch State Park's Lafayette Place Campground, Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park, and several privately operated facilities like Fransted Family Campground and Lost River Valley Campground. The surrounding White Mountain National Forest provides additional camping opportunities at sites like Sugarloaf Campground, making Bethlehem an ideal base for exploring the region's many campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the region, with most campgrounds operating from May through mid-October. Winter camping options are limited to a few year-round facilities like Apple Hill Campground and Crazy Horse Family Campground in nearby Littleton. Cell service varies considerably throughout the area, with many forest campgrounds having limited or no connectivity. As one camper noted about Lafayette Place Campground, "The whole area is spectacular, but I recommend getting a site as far away from the road as possible" to minimize traffic noise. Advance reservations are essential during summer months and fall foliage season, when campgrounds frequently reach capacity, especially on weekends.
Proximity to hiking trails represents a major draw for campers in the Bethlehem area. "This campground is the perfect location for those wanting to explore Franconia Notch State Park," wrote one visitor about Lafayette Place, which provides direct access to the Lonesome Lake Trail and serves as a starting point for hikes along Franconia Ridge. Campers frequently mention the region's natural beauty, with streams, rivers, and mountain views enhancing many camping locations. Road noise can be an issue at some campgrounds situated near highways, particularly those along the Kancamagus Highway. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the White Mountains, with campers reporting occasional microbursts and strong storms even during summer months.
"My first time in camping in New Hampshire, the whole area is spectacular and I felt lucky to find a spot in this campground next to the stream."
"The White Mountains stretch quite some distance. While the Presidential peaks are often considered the jewel of this range, I find the Franconia Ridge just as beautiful and stunning."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."
"Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Many sites along the river and nice grassy sites near the front. Sites were spacious and well maintained. The campground is perfectly located for access to Franconia Notch. Highly recommend."
"The location could not be any better for access to attractions in the area!"
from $40 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The last few years, they’ve added a light display near the entrance at night, which make that last trip to the bathroom before bedtime fun!"
"Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."
from $62 - $209 / night
Check Availability"Cool location right on the edge of the Dry River Wilderness. Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area. Some spots are right on the highway with not much tree cover in between so can be loud."
"This state park campground located between Rte 302 and the Dry River in Crawford Notch is a great location for exploring family friendly trails to (Sawyer Pond, Arethusa Falls, Willard Cliffs to name a"
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Our site was big and walking around the grounds the other sites appeared to all be pretty good sized as well. They are not lying when they call their sites secluded either!"
"Cabins and RV sites with hookups are closer yo the entrance, store and road. That latter feature is a bit if a bummer bc the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"If you need help or have any questions the Hosts (Located in Sugarloaf 2) are very friendly and offer a wealth of knowledge of the area."
"Definitely a step above primitive campsites (there’s a flushing toilet and water), but this site doesn’t have some of the other features you find at some larger campgrounds (no sinks, washbasins, or showers"
from $24 / night
Check Availability"There are tons of hiking trails in and close by the site. And other activities close by for family or adult fun like Story Land? Santa's Village, and more."
"The trail is right outside the lip of the campsite. Totally had a fun time."
"Close to a main throughfare, tons of recreating to do in this area. Hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, literally anything outside. Just a few miles from grocery stores, restaurants, etc."
"Town was close by but also removed enough to give the great camping experience without needing to drive miles to get forgotten supplies."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"over those entering campground to ensure only registered campers are coming in, separation between sites is pretty decent, dish sink to do your dishes in, playground with a large field for kids to run around"
"You can also be on a nice field or on the edge. Pool was damaged during winter and not available. 2024"
ScoutAll sites are at the top of the hill. Very walkable. Lots of seasonal campers with RVs and ATVs. Owners are very accommodating. Water is available though you have to fill up your own tanks via a community tank and ATV. Quiet and people are nice and helpful.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutThe cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.
ScoutKids and dog loved the campground and floating on the river. Lots to do nearby with little kids too, story land only about 20min drive away
RangerOur site was nice, wooded, dark at night, and pretty private. The bathrooms were clean, no hand soap due to bears, and we did not use the showers but they are there.
The pond offers a great time for kids, super shallow beach allows kids to wade out a good way, there is an awesome rock you can jump into about 30’ of clear water, and a hiking path around the lake.
Loon mountain resort is nearby, but the free hiking around camp is best (avoid the massive charges for the summer gondola ride!).
TravelerSecluded walk behind camp to river or across to 2 brooks. Safe usually great camp neighbors plenty of room for small trailers or vans.
TravelerFirst to camp at opening my spot is actually spot 2 but spot 1 is covered over so appears as 1st camp. 8 spots available before bridge gate. 2 just past gate possibly more. 2 rv / trailer spots small trailers. 3 river spots beautiful one is 2 parts group campsite. Bio luminescent roots at night due to wood decomposition from logging also known as fairy glow.. Great spot just being developed again. Sites are fairly close if u have some hyper pups. Lol
ScoutAwesome place. Very child oriented, lots of activities, quiet after 10:30. Dogs are welcome just about everywhere except beaches as long as they are leashed which I love. I will definitely return
LegendCouldn’t ask for better sites, both sites 9 & 12 were very private and only a short walk through the woods to setup camp along the river. Sites are far from each other and we did not hear anyone else the whole time. Mosquitos were not bad either, but did see some large spiders and lots of other insects. No cell service once you get into the forest.
Access - Area was very easy to get to, turn onto Town Hall Road, and follow (about 5 miles) to the National Forest Welcome signage. Don’t need 4WD for get to most of the sites when the roads are dry, but very tight single lane dirt road the whole way. I did see a 5th wheel (probably 30ft long) but not sure I would attempt to bring anything larger than a teardrop here.
There are 24 sites in total, half are on the main road into the forest, and near the end take a left to access the other sites. Pretty much all sites were taken both Friday & Saturday by 7:30, we got lucky on Saturday and a spot opened just as we were leaving to find another place for the night.
White Mountains camping near Bethlehem, New Hampshire ranges from primitive to full-service sites at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. The camping season typically extends from late May through October, with nighttime temperatures in summer averaging 50-60°F. Winter camping options remain limited to year-round facilities that maintain plowed access roads.
Hiking from your campsite: The Sugarloaf 1 Campground provides direct access to trails without moving your vehicle. "Zealand trail is very close by and great for kids," notes one camper, while another mentions that "Zeacliff trail is also just up the road and that is worth a hike as it is one of the best views in the whites."
River activities: Many campsites near Bethlehem feature river access for cooling off during summer months. "The river is great for exploring! But it's extremely cold, swift, shallow, so it's not ideal for swimming," reports one visitor about Crawford Notch Campground. Others mention "tubing, swimming, playing in the river that runs along the campground."
Mountaintop views: Trail access from camps puts summit views within day-hike distance. "You can access at least 6 of the NH48 from this campground, numerous waterfalls, two AMC huts, and several ponds and lakes all within hiking distance," reports a hiker about Lafayette Place. The network of trails connects to both accessible and challenging peaks.
Access to multiple attractions: Fransted Family Campground earns praise for its strategic location. "The campground is perfectly located for access to Franconia Notch," notes one review. Another adds that the site is "central to all the white mountain attractions," making it a convenient base camp.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out in visitor comments. "The bathrooms are immaculate & the campsites are well ground," writes a visitor about Fransted Family Campground. At Dry River Campground, campers note "very clean facilities for showering" and appreciate the "dishwashing station, coin op showers, and friendly ranger."
Wooded privacy: Forest cover between sites offers seclusion at many campgrounds. "Beautiful place with lots of privacy because of the deep cover between sites," notes a Sugarloaf 1 visitor. Another camper describes how the campground has "large, level, and wooded" sites that provide a sense of isolation.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Hancock Campground, one camper advises, "Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August."
Highway noise: Traffic sounds affect some sites more than others. "The noise from Highway 93 is intolerable! 18-wheelers blowing by at all hours of the day and night," reports one Lafayette Place camper, recommending "sites 33, 34, and 35 are the quietest."
Wildlife encounters: Bear boxes are provided at some campgrounds for food storage. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," notes a Hancock Campground visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Twin Mountain/Mt. Washington KOA offers organized events for children. "This campground is wonderful for camping with kids. It has a great playground and a small but nice and clean pool," writes one visitor. Another adds that "it is perfect for family visits with the parks, heated pool, volleyball and more. It even has daily events or group get together."
River access sites: Select campsites that provide safe water play. "The Brook was relaxing. Also the campground it's really close to Cannon Mountain," notes a visitor about Fransted Family Campground. Families should check water conditions, as river levels change throughout the season.
Educational programs: Some campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. "There was an interpretive ranger staying there that held a fun night of scores and spooky stories," reports a Dry River Campground visitor, adding value for families looking for structured learning opportunities.
Winter access: Year-round camping options exist for RVers visiting the area. Apple Hill Campground operates throughout winter, with one visitor noting it's "far enough from the highway so that you don't hear it. Littleton is close enough that if you've forgotten something, you can easily find it there." This provides flexibility for off-season visits.
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and access. "Some sites might be small for large RVs but the hosts ask what size of rig you have and get you a site that can be gotten into," notes one Crazy Horse Family Campground visitor. Another RVer recommends checking the "incredibly easy to park my camper with the pull through sites" at Apple Hill.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at some campgrounds. A visitor to Apple Hill Campground mentions, "We paid $35 for a full hook up and had no problems," while noting the value compared to other options in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Bethlehem, NH?
Bethlehem, NH and its surrounding area offer several excellent camping options. Apple Hill Campground is located directly in Bethlehem, providing convenient access to town amenities. For those looking for more secluded experiences, Private Field and Woods Camping offers peaceful nature settings with beautiful landscapes. Other nearby options include Crazy Horse Family Campground near Littleton and Franconia area campgrounds. The White Mountains region surrounding Bethlehem features numerous camping opportunities, with options for both tent campers seeking natural settings and RV travelers requiring more amenities.
How far are campgrounds from downtown Bethlehem, NH?
Most campgrounds are conveniently located within a short drive of downtown Bethlehem. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park is approximately 15 minutes from Bethlehem's center, offering easy access to town while providing a wilderness experience. Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins is similarly situated within a 15-20 minute drive. Campgrounds in Lincoln, like Big Rock, are about 25-30 minutes away. For those wanting the closest option, Apple Hill Campground is just minutes from downtown Bethlehem, making it ideal for campers who want to combine outdoor experiences with easy access to town amenities.
What amenities do Bethlehem, NH campgrounds offer?
Campgrounds around Bethlehem offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. The Pastures Campground provides clean bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and a library, plus spacious sites with tables and fire rings. Sugarloaf 2 Campground offers clean, well-maintained wooded sites with easy registration systems. Many area campgrounds feature water access, toilet facilities, and reservable sites. Private campgrounds typically provide more extensive amenities like electric hookups, WiFi, and shower facilities, while public campgrounds in the White Mountain National Forest often focus on more rustic experiences with basic facilities in natural settings. Most campgrounds offer picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites.
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