Camping spots near Center Conway, New Hampshire offer a mix of riverside and mountain terrain at elevations ranging from 400-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through August. Weather patterns can change quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months, requiring campers to secure equipment properly.
What to do
River activities on the Saco: 4.1 miles of hiking trails connect to many White Ledge Campground sites, offering direct access to the Carter Ledge trail up Mt. Chocorua. A camper noted, "We hiked the White Ledge Loop which was 4.1 miles and got amazing views. The brooks running through are beautiful."
Mountain hiking with elevation gain: 6 miles round trip from Covered Bridge Campground to Wiley's house. "We hiked a trail right from the campground to Wiley's house it was 6 miles round trip with the dogs and the trail was well marked and we had ice cream at Wiley's house which was great," reports one visitor.
Floating downstream: 10 miles of river access from shuttle drop-off points near Brownfield. Campers can drift back to their sites after arranging transportation. "Took a shuttle up with some kayaks- reasonably priced- and drifted back down 10 miles right to our site," shares one camper about their experience.
What campers like
Beach accessibility: multiple sandy entry points along the Saco River provide natural swimming areas. As one Eastern Slope Camping Area visitor described, "The river was awesome. The showers and bathrooms were the nicest I've seen in a campground."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: resident loons can be spotted and heard at White Lake State Park Campground. A camper shared their experience: "We had a recent trip here, and boy was it peaceful and relaxing... The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids."
Free dispersed camping options: multiple pull-offs available along Town Hall Road with direct river access. "There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part," according to a recent visitor.
What you should know
Weather considerations: flash flooding risk exists for campgrounds located directly on the Saco River. Come prepared with tarps and adequate drainage systems for tent sites.
Road conditions: 7.9-foot height restriction applies when accessing Covered Bridge Campground from the Kancamagus Highway. "The covered bridge has 7.9' height restriction from the main scenic highway. We had to go out to Conway and drive back in," warns a camper with a taller vehicle.
Fire regulations: 11:30 PM fire curfew strictly enforced at most established campgrounds in the region. Many campers report security staff routinely checking sites for compliance.
Wildlife awareness: black bear activity reported at multiple campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. "They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!" reports a visitor at one local campground.
Tips for camping with families
Noise considerations: select sites away from main roads for better sleep quality. At Town Hall Road Dispersed, "Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both."
Water safety: shallow swimming areas available at specific beaches with designated kid-friendly sections. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids, and there is a separate boat launch area."
Children's activities: evening wagon rides offered at several campgrounds during peak season. "At night they did wagon rides around the campground which our little ones really enjoyed," shares a parent who camped in the area with young children.
Proximity to attractions: Story Land theme park located within 15-20 minute drive of many Center Conway camping areas, making it ideal for split-day activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: reserve back-in sites with adequate turning radius if driving larger rigs. A camper at Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort shared, "We stayed at site M-9 and M-10," noting the "large sites with full hookups" that accommodate bigger vehicles.
Electric service: 50-amp hookups available at major campgrounds but often fill quickly during peak season from July through early September.
Dump station locations: not all campgrounds offer on-site facilities, so plan accordingly. Those staying at dispersed sites should note the nearest public dump stations in Conway.
Leveling requirements: bring blocks or levelers as many sites in the mountainous terrain require adjustment. "The site we had was very large. With our 20 foot trailer we could still fit our Ford 150 and Subaru Forrester in front of it and still had room for another car."
