287 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire ranges from developed campgrounds with tent and RV sites to primitive dispersed sites along Forest Service roads. Campground density is high in this area, with several highly-rated public facilities including Sugarloaf Campground, Zealand Campground, and Crawford Notch Campground within easy driving distance. Most camping areas accommodate both tent and RV camping, while select locations like Moose Brook State Park also offer cabin options. The region's developed campgrounds are strategically positioned near popular hiking trails and scenic attractions, making them convenient base camps for exploring the White Mountains.
Road access to many campgrounds varies seasonally, with several facilities like Zealand Road campgrounds closing completely during winter months and reopening after spring mud season passes. Sugarloaf I and II Campgrounds provide more secluded wooded sites with larger separation between campers compared to roadside options. Most established campgrounds feature basic amenities including vault or flush toilets and water access, though shower facilities are limited throughout the region. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during peak foliage season in autumn and summer weekends. A visitor noted that "Zealand Road is closed during the winter, opening in the spring only after mud season has passed and the road is dried out."
Several campers report high satisfaction with sites that balance privacy with access to natural features. The Sugarloaf Campgrounds receive praise for their secluded sites and proximity to hiking trails, with one camper describing them as a "secluded gem" with "easy access to all of what the White Mountains have to offer." Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with campgrounds situated directly along Route 302 experiencing more traffic disturbance compared to those set back from major roadways. Water access is available at most developed campgrounds, though the hand pumps at some locations can be challenging for some visitors. For those seeking a true wilderness experience, dispersed camping options exist along Forest Service roads like Cherry Mountain Road, where campsites are more primitive but offer greater solitude and privacy from neighboring campers.
"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"
"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."
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"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 state park is located in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire."
"This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m. Location!"
"Very dog freindly, many hiking trails in the the area. Next to zero cell phone service."
from $30 - $44 / night
Check Availability"You won’t have cell service, but you’ll be in a prime location for hitting the trail early, whether you want to head up to Zealand, Hale, or over to Mt Washington."
"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."
from $24 / 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"For site selection, sites 22-26 border Zealand Rd, so you will hear the traffic heading to and from the Zeland and Sugarloaf trailheads."
"Access to some of the best hiking in New Hampshire!"
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."
"Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences."
"Privy is a bit of a walk. And the eating area is very small. X3 bear boxes. Great Water source right near the eating area.
Loved this site!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability
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.
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
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
Camping sites near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire sit within the northern section of the White Mountain National Forest, an area characterized by 4,000-foot peaks and dense northern hardwood forests. The area receives approximately 200 inches of snow annually, with camping season typically running from mid-May through mid-October. Many campgrounds in this region close their access roads after fall foliage season concludes due to mountain snow accumulation and spring mud conditions.
Hiking to Arethusa Falls: The trails near Dry River Campground provide access to popular waterfall hikes. "Hiked the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail right from the campground!" notes Michele S., who appreciated the direct trail access from her campsite.
Sugarloaf Mountain hikes: Short family-friendly trails accessible from Zealand Road lead to excellent viewpoints. The Sugarloaf trail "hits a saddle and you can bag both middle and north sugarloaf in turn," making it ideal for beginners or families seeking summit views without difficult terrain.
Mt. Washington access: Multiple options exist for exploring the highest peak in the Northeast. The campgrounds provide convenient baselines for tackling different routes. "We base camped out of here and explored nearby trails, as well as Mt. Washington," explains Nathan S., highlighting how central Crawford Notch locations work well for day trips.
Swim in natural pools: The Pemigewasset River offers several swimming spots during summer months. "There is a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," writes Tara S. about Hancock Campground, noting how convenient water access enhances summer camping experiences.
Secluded campsites: Many campers value privacy at Sugarloaf 1 Campground, where "sites are spread out and you do not feel crowded or exposed like some other campgrounds." Rebekah C. notes the "easy access to all of what the white mountains have to offer" while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
River frontage sites: Multiple campgrounds offer sites directly alongside mountain streams. "Site #55. You don't feel like you're at a campground here, and that's what I love about this place," writes Jamie C. about Crawford Notch Campground, describing a site "right on the Saco river, views of the 'Texaco Slab' directly across, and beautiful White Mountains to your left and right."
Fall foliage viewing: The area transforms during autumn with brilliant colors. "We were pleasantly surprised by this campground, booking 3 nights sight unseen. You could hear the river babbling at night and had incredible views of Frankenstein Cliffs as you walked to the wash house," writes Nathan S., highlighting the seasonal beauty.
Clean facilities: Despite their rustic nature, most campgrounds maintain good standards. "The bathroom facilities are so clean! There are great hiking trails right on the campsite. Chipmunks surround you at all times, which was pretty epic and magical!" reports Michelle K. about her experience.
Road closures affect access: Seasonal road closures impact several campgrounds. Zealand Road, which provides access to Sugarloaf campgrounds, remains closed during winter and spring mud season, typically reopening in late May once conditions permit.
Bear safety protocols: Black bears are active throughout the White Mountain region. "Upon entering campground we saw many 'beware of bear signs'. The campground ranger station confirmed that black bear are prominent and will venture across picnic tables and sites, so be certain to store food & toiletries safely per rules!" warns Whitney W. about Dolly Copp Campground.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal or no cell reception. "No cell service, but if you need it I had ample (Verizon) service at the bottom of the hill by Rte. 302," notes Jamie D., providing a practical tip for staying connected while camping.
Shower facilities vary: Not all campgrounds offer showers. Sugarloaf campgrounds provide only basic facilities with vault toilets and water pumps, while other locations offer coin-operated shower options. "Half of the showers didn't work upon inserting coins, so that wasn't ideal, but they were clean facilities, so my advice would be to check the shower is functioning before stripping down!" recommends Whitney W.
Playground access: Twin Mountain-Mt. Washington KOA offers organized activities for children. "Perfect for family camping! Fishing, swimming, river walks, biking and movie nights!" writes J L., highlighting the structured entertainment options that keep children engaged.
Swimming ponds: Several state parks feature swimming areas specifically designed for families. "There are facilities, a fishing pond and separate swimming pond where the water is quite chilly and refreshing on a summer's afternoon," explains Sarah C. about Moose Brook State Park Campground.
Theme park proximity: Family attractions operate within driving distance of most campgrounds. "Less than 40 minutes in either direction are Story Land and Santa's Village, NH family destinations for generations," notes Jean C., mentioning popular children's theme parks that work well for day trips from local campgrounds.
Pet-friendly options: Many families travel with pets and appreciate accommodating sites. "We chose this campground because it was dog friendly. Our site was very private and secluded, but close to bathrooms and showers. Facilities very clean!" reports Josh R. about his stay at Moose Brook State Park.
Limited hookup availability: Most White Mountain National Forest campgrounds lack electrical and water hookups. Dolly Copp Campground is an exception, with a caretaker noting "sites with and without electric hookups" following recent renovations.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Very tight sites if you are not in the 100 section," warns Bill B. about Twin Mountain-Mt. Washington KOA, suggesting specific areas for bigger rigs.
Road access considerations: Mountainous terrain creates challenges for larger vehicles. The winding roads through Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch require careful driving for RVs, with some campgrounds accessible only via narrower forest roads.
Water access points: Campgrounds with water hookups provide convenience for RVers. "Water and electricity have been added to many sites as well," notes Russell C. about updated facilities at Dolly Copp that improve the RV camping experience while maintaining the natural setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Bretton Woods, NH?
The White Mountains around Bretton Woods offer exceptional camping options. Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park is ideally located for exploring family-friendly trails to Arethusa Falls and Willard Cliffs, with convenient access to Mt. Washington. For more seclusion, Sugarloaf 1 Campground provides large, wooded sites with more privacy than campgrounds directly on Route 302, plus the benefits of flush toilets and running water from hand pumps. Both campgrounds offer a perfect base for hiking adventures while being close enough to Bretton Woods for day trips to the resort area.
What amenities does Bretton Woods Campground offer?
While Bretton Woods itself is known more for its resort than campground facilities, nearby camping options provide various amenities. Lafayette Place Campground in Franconia Notch State Park offers beautiful streamside sites with basic facilities in a spectacular natural setting. For those seeking more amenities, Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins provides riverside camping with ample parking and convenient access to local attractions. Most campgrounds in the region typically offer fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilet facilities, though amenities vary by location.
When is the best season for camping at Bretton Woods?
Summer and early fall offer the best camping experiences in the Bretton Woods area. Jigger Johnson Campground on the Kancamagus Highway is particularly wonderful during these seasons, providing access to hiking, exploring, and swimming spots. Late September through mid-October brings spectacular fall foliage, making Sugarloaf 2 Campground an excellent choice with its clean facilities and wooded, private campsites. Most White Mountain campgrounds operate from late May through mid-October, with peak crowds in July and August. Fall camping requires warmer gear as temperatures can drop significantly at night.
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