Best Tent Camping near Conway, NH
Several tent campsites dot the White Mountain region near Conway, New Hampshire, offering backcountry options for campers seeking natural settings. Sawyer Pond provides tent-only sites accessible via a 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead off Highway 302, with platforms overlooking the pond. Fourth Iron Campground offers walk-in tent camping along the Saco River, requiring a short quarter-mile hike from the parking area on Highway 302 between Bartlett and Crawford Notch.
Tent sites throughout the Conway area typically feature wooden platforms or cleared dirt areas for pitching tents. Most locations provide fire rings, though some higher-elevation sites prohibit fires due to forest protection regulations. Seasonal considerations are important, as many backcountry tent sites remain snow-covered into late spring. According to one visitor, "There was still plenty of snow there on my last visit which softens the extent of the impact." Bear activity is common, so proper food storage is essential - sites like Sawyer Pond provide bear hangs for securing food. Vault toilets or composting privies are available at established backcountry tent sites, though bringing toilet paper is recommended.
The terrain around Conway offers distinct advantages for tent campers. Most backcountry tent sites provide proximity to water sources, though treatment is necessary before consumption. Northern Nursery Brookside Campsites features 15 tent sites along the water with minimal amenities - just a porta potty and no running water. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, sites can fill quickly during peak summer weekends, particularly at popular destinations like Sawyer Pond where "the campground was completely full" on a Saturday night. Winter camping opportunities exist for experienced backcountry campers, with locations like Fourth Iron Campground remaining accessible year-round, offering solitude during colder months when "sometimes you're the only person there."