Best Campgrounds near Bethlehem, NH

Bethlehem, New Hampshire serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the White Mountains region, with options ranging from full-service RV parks to primitive backcountry sites. 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.

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Bethlehem, New Hampshire (267)

    1. Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park

    36 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 823-9513

    $35 / night

    "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."

    2. Hancock Campground

    28 Reviews
    Lincoln, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $30 / night

    "Luckily -- we were only about ten minutes from one of our favorite campgrounds in New Hampshire. Let me tell you why we like it so much."

    "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."

    3. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park

    31 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $35 - $40 / night

    "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"

    4. Fransted Family Campground

    9 Reviews
    Franconia, NH
    5 miles
    Website

    $40 - $55 / night

    "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!"

    5. Lost River Valley Campground

    32 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 745-8321

    $62 - $209 / night

    "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."

    6. Twin Mountain-Mt. Washington KOA

    10 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 846-5559

    "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."

    7. Sugarloaf 1 Campground

    11 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    $24 / night

    "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"

    8. Apple Hill Campground

    8 Reviews
    Bethlehem, NH
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (603) 869-2238

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    9. Crawford Notch Campground

    24 Reviews
    Bartlett, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 374-2272

    $25 / night

    "-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."

    10. Crazy Horse Family Campground

    8 Reviews
    Littleton, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 444-2204

    "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"

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Recent Reviews near Bethlehem, NH

1210 Reviews of 267 Bethlehem Campgrounds


  • S
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Crocker Pond

    Beautiful spot!!

    7 campsites in a really beautiful place!! We went in early October and about half the sites were full. It was very peaceful and great hiking nearby!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Jefferson Campground

    Great Mountain Campground

    Nice campground in a beautiful location. This place is a bit off the beaten path of White Mountain tourist areas but is still within easy drive to all the major attractions. We picked this spot for that exact reason. Open field camping in the middle with wooded sites on the edges of the park. I originally chose a site that was a bit too small to properly unhook the trailer but staff helped me get a better location. Site 17 was too tight for 44 ft total length. Switched to site 5 pull through. Some sites face each other for camping with friends. Follow their map to pull in correctly. Staff is excellent and very helpful. Small store on site with necessities and fire wood. FYI Amenities: pool, playground, laundry (affordable) hot showers. Off season so the place was not busy, very quiet. This is on our short list for when we return next year.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Storrs Pond Recreation Area

    Okay

    Stayed here on a Sunday night in late September. It was very quiet and peaceful. Tent sites were hilly/uneven and extremely far from the toilets and bathhouse. Bathhouse is old and run down. The shower curtains were covered in mildew so we decided not to shower. We were just here overnight and did not make use of the other recreation facilities.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Grafton Notch Campground

    Amazing place!

    We stayed here 2 nights in late September. The campground is very neat and tidy with lots of nice touches like flowers and seasonal decorations. The sites are gravel & the paths are covered in wood chips - both make walking cleaner because you are out of the dirt and mud. There is a path to the river and 2 picnic tables by the river. The bathhouse is clean and has a large shower with plenty of places to put your soap, shampoo, etc. There are also lots of hooks in the shower and bathroom for your stuff and the shower has a large bench to sit on as you get dressed. There are 2 dishwashing stations outside the bathhouse. Horseshoes and corn hole are on site and there is a well stocked camp store. Lots of information and brochures on the area. The owner is very kind and personable - I am looking forward to coming back!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Few Solar/Starlink Options

    If all we needed was a campsite with no solar or starlink, this would be 5 star review. Lots of options, great hiking in the area. But if you need solar or starlink, there’s only 1 or 2 viable spots. We were lucky to snag on one a Monday afternoon (last site before turnaround on FR38) and stayed all week.

  • Joshua M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Dolly Copp Campground

    Calm and clean gem

    Went here in mid Fall of '25 and couldnt have been greated by nicer people, had a great private site with water and 30amp hookups. Very dog freindly, many hiking trails in the the area. Next to zero cell phone service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Meredith Woods Four Season Camping

    Now called HUNTERS RUN Rv Park

    Good spot, lots of seasonal campers, new corporate owners and it’s named Hunter’s Run RV Park. Combined with another campground across the street. Called for reservations and staff helpful once they answered. Store and office hours are erratic. FireWood supply “iffy” so brought some locally sourced food. Camped at Lakeside area.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Clearwater Campground

    Now Hunter’s Run RV Park

    This is now called Hunter’s Run. Many seasonal campsites more than half the campground. Good site spacing. Store only open limited hours and staff on site only limited hours. Probably due to new corporate owners. Very quiet off season and during the week. No wood available during our visit, 2 bundles locked in cage area but nobody around to purchase from. Bathhouses and showers very clean at lakeside section of campground. Nice clean beach area at the lake. Looks like kayak and canoe rentals. This is on south side of NH route 104 which is a busy road. Some road noise noticed from our location near the lake. Gravel/dirt sites with fire pits ( rocks ) and picnic table. Called office to arrange for site and they called back. Staff very helpful to find a good site and making reservations.


Guide to Bethlehem

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.