286 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Glen, New Hampshire provides access to multiple camping environments in the White Mountains region, from established facilities to rustic dispersed sites. Jellystone Park Glen Ellis and Green Meadow Camping Area are popular developed campgrounds offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Town Hall Road Dispersed camping provides free, more primitive options along the river for those seeking a natural experience without amenities. The area's campgrounds typically operate from late May through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day.
Road conditions and access vary throughout the region, particularly for dispersed camping areas. "Take Town Hall rd off of 302 and go until it is no longer residential. You'll see the WMNF signs and the sites begin shortly after that," noted one visitor about finding dispersed camping locations. Many campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months when families visit nearby attractions like Story Land. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the White Mountains, with cooler temperatures at higher elevations even during summer. Cell service may be limited in remote areas, and campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including black bears, which necessitate proper food storage.
Waterfront access ranks as a significant highlight for many campers in the Glen area. Several campgrounds are positioned between the Saco and Ellis Rivers, providing swimming, tubing, and fishing opportunities. A visitor described one location as having "crystal clear, ice cold and refreshing" river water, perfect for cooling off during summer months. Family-friendly amenities feature prominently in developed campgrounds, with swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities available at locations like Jellystone Park. Noise levels vary considerably between sites – quiet, wooded tent areas contrast with more social, amenity-rich RV sections. Fall foliage season attracts numerous campers seeking colorful mountain views, while summer weekends often reach capacity, especially at campgrounds near water sources or family attractions.
"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."
"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"
from $29 / night
Check Availability"Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "
"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."
"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"Located between the Ellis River and the Saco River, this campground offers so many fantastic amenities."
"Our three kids didn’t have a boring time at Jellystone Glen Ellis! They loved the Waterpark and the foam party! It was Christmas in July week, and they had so many events planned for the week."
"He absolutely loved it and there was plenty of space in the tent site for him to roam around."
"Large sites, clean pit toilets, in a beautiful, wooded campground adjacent to the Swift River.
Camp host, who’s been there for many years, keeps things clean, organized, and quiet."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."
"Great location with easy ride to all North Conway attractions. Nice hay ride and playground. The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out. We visited Story Land and Mt."
"Located on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, Jigger Johnson is one of those great sites that has close proximity to plenty of hiking, exploring, swimming and isn't too far from the hustle and bustle"
"earlier in the day, around 1 pm when new campers are welcomed."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"This is a prime location for adventure in the mountains, with multiple routes up Mt Washington (trail, auto road, or cog railway)."
"PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m. Location!"
from $30 - $44 / night
Check Availability"They have bike rentals, disc golf, ping pong table, outside big chess game, pool, outlet shopping was near by, near by historic sites, like kangamangus Highway, diana’s Bath, cathedral ledge, we went"
"People to our left and the ones behind us were annual vistors to this campground. We are new to Rving it was refreshing to be around such nice people."
"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
LegendThis is a great campground for families! Conveniently situated for skiing, climbing, hiking and leaf peeping. Amenities include; swimming pool, dog park, horseshoes, arcade, disc golf, basketball and more! They also have a propane fill station. As KOA’s go, you will pay for these amenities, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
LegendThis is our go to spot for late Fall and Winter camping. Just a few hard core cold weather lovers. Close to the slopes and snow shoe/snow mobile trails. Bathrooms are closed during this time. The porta potties are clean.
LegendThis is our favorite campground on the Kanc. Lots of great hiking and scenic views. Close to Conway as well. Leaf peeping season will find you stuck in traffic. Recommend going afterwards. JJ closes for the season on October 12th.
TravelerRelaxing! Fun! Camping the way camping should be!! Nice wooded sites! Super friendly seasonals! The owner is the best and his campground is beautiful! You can tell he puts the “happy” in camping!! Stay Happy!!
ScoutWe arrived on a Wednesday in early October with intentions of enjoying the foliage, which we did. We found the campsites easily and the access road is in good condition so the local speed through all day long.
I am not sure how many sites there are, we took the first one we would fit into. We travel with a Lance camper mounted on a Silverado.
My travel companions are cats and they are accustomed to the typical noises of RV life; truck stops, rest stops, neighboring campers and the occasional disrespectful loud jerks. At this spot we were serenaded by gun fire. I served in the military and grew up on a farm; guns don’t bother me in the least. I think of range fire as the sound of freedom, however, this started at dawn and did not stop until after the sun went down. The gunfire was so loud and consistent that the cats got spooked and took to hiding inside the camper.
We were going to stay for the weekend but left after our second night.
Not a bad spot (there is a small stream across the access road, not deep enough for true swimming but good enough for paddling around), surrounded by beautiful woods and no true neighbors, but between the never ending line of fast moving cars and the gun fire we decided to leave.
TravelerThe campsites are very nice, but they are mostly made for tents or at biggest a van. There were only two spots that we could fit our school bus. About 35ft. We also have starlink so that’s a necessity to have clear sky view. The only campsite with this was the last campsite before the end of the road closes. Which was taken but they were gone in the morning we just moved down. Now it’s very secluded but the drive is very long down so plan for a couple days. You can stay up to 14 days. Road down is a little bumpy but our school bus made it through!
ScoutWe come to this campground every year to hike a few 4000+ mountains. Typically we come in the fall. There are several full hook up rv sites, some without sewer and several spots for RVs near the river. While the pizza shop (Celli's) is closed for renovations right now, we love their pizza and fries. The bathrooms are decent and there is hot water!
TravelerQuiet campground experience. Very cheerful staff member. Ice Cream shop is a bonus. We found a secluded spot without reservations. Monday evening. Some sites are tight for larger RVs but our Class B Camper Van fit fine.
GuideThis is one of our “go to” campgrounds when in NH. Super clean and good mountain biking.
Dispersed camping options near Glen, New Hampshire range from free riverside sites to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Town Hall Road Dispersed camping area offers primitive sites without facilities along the river at elevations between 600-800 feet. The White Mountain National Forest surrounds Glen with numerous camping locations that typically experience temperature drops of 10-15°F at night, even during summer months.
River activities: At Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis, campers enjoy direct access to both the Ellis and Saco Rivers. "Between two rivers. Pool, baseball diamond, arcade, kids movies, playground. Plenty of shopping and restaurants in Conway. Storyland and Mt Washington super close!" notes Jimmy M. The campground offers tubing opportunities with convenient put-in and take-out locations.
Hiking trails: The Covered Bridge Campground connects directly to hiking paths including Boulder Loop Trail. "There's a formal trail to the river from the back of the loop, near 16B (lean-to)," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "Hiked the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail right from the campground!" showing how trails connect directly to camping areas.
Seasonal attractions: Fall foliage viewing becomes a primary activity from mid-September through October. "We had beautiful gal foliage and was close to some great hikes. Our spot near the river was also very cool," notes Ilana F. about her autumn stay. Many campgrounds remain open through mid-October specifically to accommodate leaf-peepers.
Riverside sites: Town Hall Road Dispersed camping offers free waterfront access. "We loved this spot. There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring," reports Josie W. Sites along this road are situated at various distances from the water, with some directly adjacent to the river.
Privacy levels: Dry River Campground receives praise for site spacing. "Sites are spacious, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them," notes Jean C. A different camper confirms: "Very private sites, close to hiking and peaceful. Only campers almost every spring."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses rank high on camper priority lists. "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. Several campgrounds offer coin-operated showers, with rates typically $0.25 per minute.
Weather preparedness: The White Mountain region experiences rapid weather changes. "We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry. We even enjoyed a small fire the next day," explains Rowan E. Temperature drops of 20°F between day and night occur regularly, even in summer.
Bear safety: Multiple campgrounds report active bear populations. "There were 2 active bears while we were there. They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!" writes Liz S. Most campgrounds require food storage in vehicles or bear-proof containers.
Cell coverage limitations: Service is extremely limited throughout the region. One camper at Crawford Notch Campground notes: "Cell service is poor to absent throughout Crawford Notch. If you need to connect, drive south toward Bartlett or North to Bretton Woods." Some dispersed camping areas have no service whatsoever.
Theme park proximity: Green Meadow Camping Area sits adjacent to Story Land. "We picked Green Meadow due to its proximity to Story Land. Didn't realize it's literally right next door... We could have walked if we weren't lazy," shares Michael. The location allows families to easily return to camp for meals or rest periods.
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, pools and organized activities keep children entertained. "There were TONS of kids which was great for us, but may not be everyone's cup of tea. The band on Saturday night was so fun and the kids loved it," reports Kate S. Evening hayrides appear at multiple campgrounds during peak season.
Water play options: Rivers provide natural swimming areas for children. "The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out," notes Katelyn D. Depth varies significantly by location and season, with late summer typically having lower, slower water levels more suitable for younger children.
Site accessibility: Large RVs face challenges at some campgrounds. "The road was not as bad as I anticipated. There was room for my Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a squaredrop camper to pass the very few oncoming vehicles we encountered," explains Bob G. about Town Hall Road. Entry road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are limited. Some campers note, "If you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots." Most developed campgrounds offer some hookup sites, but they fill quickly during peak season from June through August.
Generator restrictions: Noise regulations limit generator use at most locations. "This P.O.S went as far as to posture towards us in a threatening manner," reports one frustrated camper about a disagreement over campground policies. Check specific rules before arrival, as they vary between public and private campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any RV-friendly camping options near Glen, NH?
Several RV-friendly camping options exist near Glen, NH. The Pastures Campground offers spacious lots that accommodate RVs, complete with tables and fire rings. The campground provides essential RV amenities including bathrooms, showers, and a laundry room. Big Rock Campground, situated just off the Kancamagus Highway, offers wooded sites for RVs and is only an 8-minute drive from Lincoln where you can easily restock supplies. For larger rigs, Green Meadow Camping Area in Glen is specifically designated as big-rig-friendly with full hookups. Most RV campgrounds in the area are open from May through October, with reservations recommended during peak summer months.
What are the best campgrounds in Glen, NH for families?
For families camping in Glen, NH, Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park offers excellent access to family-friendly hiking trails and the beautiful Franconia Ridge. The campground is nestled in a stunning location with sites near streams, providing a perfect natural playground for children. Another great option is Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins, which features spacious spots along the river and is conveniently located next to Clark's Trading Post, a beloved New Hampshire attraction that kids love. Both campgrounds provide the essential amenities families need while offering easy access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that make the White Mountains region so popular with families.
What is the best season for camping in Glen, New Hampshire?
Summer (June-August) is the prime camping season in Glen, New Hampshire, with warm days perfect for hiking and exploring the region's natural beauty. However, early fall (September-early October) offers a spectacular alternative when Dolly Copp Campground and surrounding areas showcase breathtaking foliage against the backdrop of the Presidential Mountain Range. Jigger Johnson Campground along the Kancamagus Highway is particularly beautiful in autumn. Spring camping (May-early June) can be enjoyable but prepare for cooler nights and potential mud from snowmelt. Winter camping is limited to experienced campers with proper equipment as most campgrounds close seasonally. For the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds, consider late August to mid-September.
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