Franconia, New Hampshire sits at elevations ranging from 920 to 1,900 feet with the surrounding White Mountains rising much higher. The area experiences temperature fluctuations between seasons, with summer nights dropping into the 50s even when days reach the 80s. Most campgrounds near Franconia operate from May through mid-October with limited winter access.
What to do
River activities: The Ammonoosuc River flows through several campgrounds, providing water recreation options. At Twin Mountain Campground, "sites are along a river, it is quiet and family friendly, sites are big and relatively private," according to one camper. The river access points vary by location.
Mountain biking trails: Moose Brook State Park Campground offers extensive biking terrain maintained by the local cycling club. "There are also many hiking trails in the park and a ton of great mountain biking terrain in the park and accessible from the park. The local Coos Cycling Club maintains the trails and is constantly improving and creating more terrain."
Backcountry exploration: For experienced hikers, Guyot Shelter provides a remote basecamp for accessing multiple peaks. "We got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset," notes one hiker. The site requires a strenuous hike to reach the 4,360-foot elevation campsite.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Most local campgrounds provide good separation between campsites. At Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins, "sites are very tight" but many feature "a combination of RV full hookup to primitive tent sites." Visitors appreciate that "there is a small pond in the center with ducks and fish. A huge playground for the kids."
Riverside camping: Multiple campgrounds offer sites directly on flowing water. One visitor to Littleton / Franconia Notch KOA Holiday noted, "Cute quiet campground right next to the river. Clean facilities. Ok WiFi. No Verizon coverage."
Year-round options: Unlike most seasonal operations, some campgrounds remain open through winter. At Ammonoosuc Campground, "This is one of the rare New Hampshire campgrounds that is open year round." The winter access provides opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on campground trails.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Mountain Lake Camping Resort, full-service glamping near Franconia includes amenities like "heated pool, laundry, clean bathrooms, and playground," but many locations have limited service: "When you get into the Notches, cell phone coverage is poor to absent."
Reservation requirements: First-come sites fill quickly during peak season. "We arrived late in the afternoon without a reservation and were given several sites to choose from," notes a camper at Maple Haven Campground, but this experience becomes less common during summer weekends and fall foliage season.
Road noise considerations: Campgrounds near main roads experience traffic sounds. Zealand Campground sits beside US302, and "you'll hear vehicles and see their lights driving by all night." Sites farther from roadways provide quieter experiences, particularly those backing to rivers where water sounds mask traffic noise.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds feature swimming facilities beyond natural water. Moose Hillock Camping Resort has "a huge pool and water slides. Our site (camper trailer) was one of the largest sites we've stayed in." Children especially enjoy the pirate-themed water features available at select locations.
Campground rules: Policies vary widely between properties. Some glamping accommodations near Franconia, New Hampshire enforce "quiet hours at 1030 make it very quiet in the evening with no worry of loud parties keeping you up," while others note, "No radios allowed! No going down the slide with jewelry!"
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds include play structures. Country Bumpkins has "a small arcade game room, WiFi at each site and an outdoor play area for kids," making it suitable for families seeking on-site entertainment beyond natural surroundings.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many White Mountains campgrounds feature uneven terrain. When staying at Twin Mountain Campground, one RVer noted the sites are "generally level with easy access," but at Country Bumpkins, a reviewer found their "site #60 was gravel, back in, 30 amp, full hookup. It was slightly uphill, so we had to pull the RV all the way to the front of the site to be able to level."
Utility hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited at some campgrounds. One RVer noted about Littleton/Franconia Notch KOA, "My only disappointment with the camp is that there are only a few sites with sewer hookup. However, the dumping station is conveniently located, so if you have a small tank, daily trips are not a problem."
Size restrictions: Some roadways and campsites cannot accommodate larger rigs. Zealand Campground features "sites with wooded parking areas opened up to the grassy expanse near the river," requiring careful navigation for larger vehicles.
