292 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near North Conway, New Hampshire spans from developed campgrounds to free dispersed sites, all within a 30-minute drive. Campgrounds like Dry River in Crawford Notch State Park and Jigger Johnson along the Kancamagus Highway provide developed sites with amenities such as showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Town Hall Road offers free dispersed camping with minimal facilities but greater privacy. Family-friendly options include Eastern Slope Camping Area and Saco River Camping Area, both providing river access and proximity to town conveniences while maintaining a woodland setting.
Most campgrounds in the North Conway area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with a few extending into early December. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and fall foliage season when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "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 of North Conway." Weather conditions can change rapidly in the White Mountains, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better coverage at sites closer to town and limited or no service along the Kancamagus Highway and in more remote areas.
Proximity to water features ranks high in camper satisfaction across the region. Sites along the Saco River are particularly popular for their swimming and tubing opportunities. "The Swift River and Lower Falls is great on a hot day," reports one regular visitor to Blackberry Crossing. Noise considerations vary by location, with campgrounds near highways occasionally experiencing traffic sounds. Several reviewers recommend requesting sites farther from main roads when possible. Bear activity is present throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all campgrounds. The North Conway camping area provides ideal access to outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking to nearby peaks like Mount Washington, visiting attractions such as Story Land, and exploring the scenic Kancamagus Highway, particularly beautiful during fall foliage.
"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."
"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 $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"A large wooden shelter stood over our picnic table, with a decent amount of space next to it for tents or a small camper."
"Located between the Ellis River and the Saco River, this campground offers so many fantastic amenities."
"Plenty to do at the campground and around the surrounding area for people
of all ages.
Remember you are in the mountains... you will see wildlife."
"He absolutely loved it and there was plenty of space in the tent site for him to roam around."
"This campground is in a great location. It’s nestled right off the Kancamagus with walking access to boulder loop trail and the swift river. It’s a quick drive to many hiking trails."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"White Lake has large sites, a gorgeous lake with a pair of resident loons, and proximity to the White Mountains National Forest (hiking galore, river, history), the Saco River (tubing, etc.), and Conway"
"Last weekend, our family stayed at White Lake State Park for four days."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability"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"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."
"Easy to find, close to the action of Conway/North Conway, hiking trails straight out of the campground, and spacious campsites all make this a great place to stay for a few days."
"White Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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"
"Jigger Johnson is a first-come, first serve campground on the Conway (eastern) end of the Kancamagus highway, not far from Passaconaway Campground to the west and Bear Notch Rd to the east."
from $24 / night
Check Availability
ScoutGenuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
GuideLovely campground near the lake. Many of the beaches were resident only so I highly recommend buying the $10 beach pass to access their private beach (There’s only two passes available so get there early) The lake was incredibly beautiful and so relaxing!
I will say site #23 is a bit of a tight squeeze, we had a travel trailer (About 21 ft) and a GMC Sierra and we had to pull the truck up tightly against the trailer so we weren’t sticking out. Wanna shout out Rick because he was so kind and very helpful!
TravelerWish there was closer bathrooms.
ScoutA little expensive but worth it. The pool and staff are awesome. Everything is clean.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
ScoutAll sites are at the top of the hill. Very walkable. Lots of seasonal campers with RVs and ATVs. Owners are very accommodating. Water is available though you have to fill up your own tanks via a community tank and ATV. Quiet and people are nice and helpful.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutThe cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
The White Mountains National Forest surrounds North Conway, with elevations ranging from 750 feet in the valleys to over 6,000 feet at the highest peaks. Seasonal temperature variations in the camping areas are significant, with summer daytime highs typically reaching 70-85°F but dropping into the 40s at night. Most campgrounds in this region maintain specific quiet hours from 10pm to 6am, with enforcement varying by location.
Hiking to waterfalls: From White Ledge Campground, access the Carter Ledge Trail for a moderate 4.1-mile loop with mountain views. "We hiked the White Ledge Loop which was 4.1 miles and got amazing views. The brooks running through are beautiful," reports Sarah J.
Tubing on the Saco River: Bring your own tube or rent one at the beach area at Eastern Slope Camping Area, which offers river access with shuttle services. "They have tubes to rent right there which was very handy. The campground also boasts a swimming pool, beach area along the Saco River, free mini golf, playground, golf cart rentals," explains Joseph N.
Mountain biking: Trails are available about 2 miles from Jigger Johnson Campground off Bear Notch Road. This area offers varied terrain suitable for intermediate riders. As Rita M. notes, "There are mountain bike trails 2 miles from the campground up off of Bear Notch Road as well."
River access: The Swift River at Jigger Johnson Campground offers swimming holes and rope swings. "The Swift River is BEAUTIFUL--on a warm day, you could spend the entire time exploring it and hanging out," according to Rita M., who adds, "There is even a rope swing that we all enjoyed."
Free dispersed camping: Town Hall Road offers primitive sites along the water with no facilities or fees. "We drove down the road a bit, past a few tent sites just off the road. About the fifth one or so, you pull in and the fire pit is right there. Down toward the river there was plenty of open space," describes Erin H., who found it "very peaceful, beautiful and quiet."
Wildlife viewing: Moose sightings are common near certain campgrounds, particularly at dusk. As Rita M. recounts from her stay at Jigger Johnson, "We got to see a moose! There was a pair of moose that were hanging around while we were there which was quite fun."
Cell service limitations: Reception varies dramatically throughout the region. At Crawford Notch Campground, there is virtually no signal. According to Jean C. at White Ledge Campground, "Closest cell service is 6-7 miles away, at the high point on Bear Notch Road."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds use different booking methods. Dry River Campground requires registration even during self-check-in periods. Skyler explains, "This campground was operating under a serve-yourself basis when I camped in October, 2021. I reserved my spot, #10, online less than a week before."
Bear activity: Proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds. At Glen Ellis Family Campground, staff provide specific warnings. As Joseph N. recounts, "After checking in, one of the camp staff came by because they had forgotten to remind us to take care of our food and gear at night as there are black bears in the area."
Best swimming spots: White Lake State Park offers a gradual-depth swimming area ideal for children. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids," notes Jean C., who adds that "If you don't have your own boats, they offer rentals of kayaks and paddle boats."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with paved, flat roads for kids to ride bicycles. According to Rita M., Jigger Johnson Campground's "road through the campground is paved and mostly flat, making it ideal for kids to ride their bikes."
Activities beyond hiking: Jellystone Park Glen Ellis provides organized family entertainment. "They loved the Waterpark and the foam party! It was Christmas in July week, and they had so many events planned for the week. Included in your stay is Mini golf, shuffle board, the Waterpark, hayrides, movie night, magicians and more," shares Iris A.
Site leveling challenges: At Town Hall Road Dispersed, RV sites vary significantly in levelness. Bob G. advises, "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. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites."
Height restrictions: Be aware of covered bridges limiting RV access. At Covered Bridge Campground, there's a strict limitation. Jean C. warns, "If your rig is >7'9" you'll need to enter via Passaconaway Rd via West Side Rd in Conway."
Water and power availability: Eastern Slope Camping Area offers water and electric hookups but sites fill quickly. Allura B. recounts, "I originally booked the wrong size site for our camper, I called and they were very nice and changed to a site that would accommodate. It is so close to the outlets and really anything that you need."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near North Conway, NH for tent camping?
White Ledge Campground is a gem for tent campers near North Conway, offering spacious sites and hiking trails directly from the campground. It stands out among the area's more RV-focused options. Another excellent choice is Jigger Johnson Campground on the Kancamagus Highway, providing great proximity to hiking, swimming, and exploration opportunities while still being accessible to North Conway's amenities. Both campgrounds offer a more natural experience with good access to outdoor activities, making them ideal for tent campers looking to enjoy New Hampshire's scenic beauty.
When is the best season for camping in North Conway, NH?
Late spring through early fall offers the best camping conditions in North Conway. Summer (June-August) provides warm days perfect for swimming and hiking, though it's the busiest season. Fall is spectacular, with Passaconaway Campground offering excellent access to the Kancamagus Highway's famous foliage displays. Some campgrounds like Moose Brook State Park Campground provide a quieter alternative to North Conway's tourist crowds. Spring camping (May-early June) offers beautiful wildflowers and fewer crowds, though be prepared for occasional cool nights and variable weather conditions.
What amenities do North Conway campgrounds typically offer?
Green Meadow Camping Area exemplifies the amenities available in the region, featuring water/electric hookups, a swimming pool, playground, basketball court, volleyball net, and various yard games. Its proximity to attractions like Story Land is a bonus for families. Similarly, Eastern Slope Camping Area offers covered picnic tables, a playground, organized activities like hayrides, and a sandy beach area. Many North Conway campgrounds provide clean facilities, fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water. Private campgrounds typically offer more amenities like pools and organized activities, while public campgrounds focus on basic facilities in natural settings.
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