Franconia, New Hampshire camping options range from sites along the Pemigewasset River to more secluded mountainside locations in the White Mountains. The area sits at elevations between 930-1,930 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Most campsites experience temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby towns, with evening temperature drops of 15-20 degrees common even in summer months.
What to do
Hiking near campgrounds: At Sugarloaf 1 Campground, trails connect directly to popular routes. "Zealand, Hale, and the Sugarloafs are walkable from the site, and Franconia Ridge or Grafton Notch hikes are a short drive away," notes Rick W. The campground provides an excellent base for early morning summit attempts.
River activities: Cool off in the rivers that run through several campgrounds. At Crawford Notch Campground, "Tubing, swimming, playing in the river that runs along the campground" creates entertainment for all ages according to Ryan M. The Saco River access points provide natural swimming areas during hot summer days.
Winter recreation: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for cold-weather activities. Apple Hill Campground stays open through winter, with one camper noting it's situated in an area with "tons of recreating to do... Hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, literally anything outside." The location provides access to winter trail networks when many other campgrounds close.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers praise the natural separation between sites. At Fransted Family Campground, "sites were spacious and well maintained" according to Katie. The campground balances privacy with convenience, offering "a mix of full hookup and tent sites" with "many sites along the river."
River access: Waterfront sites are highly sought after. At Hancock Campground, winter camper Heather B. found "Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites." The river access provides both recreation and natural white noise for sleeping.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. At Dry River Campground — Crawford Notch State Park, visitors appreciate that "facilities are basic but well maintained. Hot showers are welcome after a long day on the trail!" according to Gary G. The campground's simple but functional amenities receive regular praise.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Twin Mountain-Mt. Washington KOA, reservations are essential, especially for their premium spots. "South Hill is the place for big rigs. It has beautiful views of the White Mountains and fantastic sunsets," notes Mike B.
Road noise: Some campgrounds sit close to main roads. As one camper noted about Hancock Campground, "try to be closer to the river than the road" because "there is traffic along the road (not awful, but still semi constant)." Sites deeper in campgrounds generally offer more quiet.
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides more solitude. One camper at Sugarloaf 1 noted it "usually has spots available for last minute trips" with "sites tucked into woods with lots of privacy." The campground remains accessible when others are fully booked.
Bear-safe storage: Bears are active in the area, requiring proper food storage. Hancock Campground provides bear boxes at river sites, with Lindsey M. noting "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Lost River Valley Campground, Michele S. reports it's a "Cute little campground with many sites right on the river. My family has stayed here twice. You can't really swim much in the river, but the kids had a blast playing in it and fishing for little trout."
On-site activities: Some campgrounds organize family events. Twin Mountain KOA offers "a great playground and a small but nice and clean pool" according to Arno W., who adds that "This campground is wonderful for camping with kids" with "super nice staff" being "the finishing touch."
Nature exploration: Many kids enjoy wildlife watching at campsites. At Hancock Campground, the stream access and wooded areas provide natural entertainment, with one camper noting "Chipmunks surround you at all times, which was pretty epic and magical!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big RVs. At Twin Mountain KOA, Bill B. cautions there are "Very tight sites if you are not in the 100 section." He recommends securing spots in designated areas designed for larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: For those needing electric and water, Fransted Family Campground offers sites with these amenities. Thomas B. found his "site was an easy pull through, wooded site, close to bath house, plenty big enough for our T@B 320."
Year-round accessibility: Apple Hill Campground remains open throughout winter for RVers pursuing cold-weather activities. One visitor noted it's "about 1 mile off 302 just far enough away where you won't hear cars whizzing by but you won't need a quarter tank of gas to get that gallon of milk you forgot."
