275 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"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"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"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"
TravelerPros: We have the p lube nearly to ourselves, thus it was very similar to dispersed camping. Nice little campground with two small ponds (One for fishing, the other for swimming). Nothing very remarkable, though.
Cons: As others have mentioned, if you want flush toilets and pay showers, you have to either stay at the more crowded, larger loop or walk across the highway to get to those amenities.
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
TravelerStayed 8 nights with complete solitude. Bugs weren't too bad. There were plenty of dead birch trees and beech trees for firewood. Not any evergreens though. Site 16 has two campsites. I took the further one with plenty of room. Good size fire pit, but people before me left some large pieces of wood not completely put out along with lit coals.
ScoutWe stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
TravelerHonestly a wonderful place, gorgeous little lake and beach, incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Note though if you’re staying in one of the new RV sites, it is nowhere near the bathrooms or bathhouse - like a 10+ minute walk, and I wouldn’t want to do it at night. The RV section is clearly still very very new, and they’re working out the kinks, so only go here if you’ve got a self-sufficient RV and don’t need bathrooms. There are all 3 hookups, though the sewer hookup was so far back our short hose did not reach. But they do sell extensions at the visitors center, and there is a dump station, though we had to call to have them unlock it. Overall a great place, but be aware if you’re looking for a place with both full RV hookups and bathrooms, this is not it!
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
TravelerBeyond friendly staff. The sites and kept up. The cabins are like a home away from home. Little dan and big Dan are amazing to go swimming in. The store has everything you'd want or need during ur trip!
ScoutThis dirt road joins with Trudue rd to form a loop. There are pull in/back in sites with plenty of privacy. No cell service. Only a couple or of sites offer sun so use of solar can be difficult. Starlink does not work.
Sites are roomy, private and close to streams. There is hiker traffic that adds to the charm. A lovely place to camp. There
ScoutWe recently stayed here in a cabin with our family of four plus dog. Our boys loved the playground, bounce pillow, heated pools and sandy beaches. We stayed during the week so it was very quiet. We have an older dog otherwise we would have checked out the dog park and dog beach (he doesn’t like to swim). This place checks all the boxes. We were just bummed out about the store hours and food shop not being open during our stay as we hoped to get lunch there but it’s fine. The site was clean and well kept. They have regular security driving around.
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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