The White Mountains National Forest surrounds North Conway, New Hampshire at elevations ranging from 750 to 6,288 feet. This region experiences dramatic seasonal changes, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Water levels in the Saco River fluctuate throughout the season, affecting swimming and tubing opportunities at riverside camping areas.
What to do
Hiking to mountain vistas: Access the Boulder Loop Trail directly from Covered Bridge Campground for moderate hiking with spectacular rewards. "Boulder Loop Trail is attached to the campground. It's relatively short, offers several great vista views, and you can walk there from the campground and not have to deal with parking," notes Melissa W.
River activities on the Saco: Riverside campsites provide easy water access for summer recreation. "There are two beaches along the Saco river. We went to the dog beach, which was clean and large. The river was awesome," explains Sue W. about Eastern Slope Camping Area. The river offers sandy beaches, swimming holes, and tubing opportunities throughout the summer months.
Winter recreation options: Though most campgrounds operate May through October, the White Mountains provide year-round outdoor activities. "While the campground is closed in the winter, the trails are open to fat biking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing!" says Sarah C. about Moose Brook State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature natural separation between sites. "Sites were large and level. Many large trees created a lot of shade," shares Sue W. "The sites are quite large and have a good amount of space between them. Picnic tables and firepits are in great shape," reports another camper about Covered Bridge.
Swimming options: Jellystone Park Glen Ellis offers multiple water recreation choices. "Located between the Ellis River and the Saco River, this campground offers so many fantastic amenities. One of the biggest ones that we took lots of advantage of is the swimming and tubing on the Saco River," writes Joseph N.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms at the beach include flush toilets, but no showers. In the campground there are coin-operated (2 minutes/$0.25), hot and clean showers," explains Jean C. about White Lake State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the North Conway region operate from late May through mid-October. "The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend," notes Jean C. about White Ledge Campground. Plan accordingly and make reservations during peak summer months.
Wildlife encounters: Black bears are active throughout the White Mountains region. "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," shares Joseph N. Always store food properly and follow campground wildlife guidelines.
Road noise considerations: Campgrounds closer to main roads experience traffic sounds. "The loop for sites 14-28 parallels NH16; you WILL hear and even see road traffic and Rte 16 is busy," warns Jean C. Request sites farther from highways if seeking quieter camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: On the Saco Family Campground provides excellent options for children. "This is a nice family campground right along the river with easy access for boats and swimming. It is also in a great area with amazing hiking nearby," shares Asher K. Multiple campgrounds offer playground equipment, organized activities, and shallow swimming areas suitable for children.
Bicycle-friendly environments: Many campgrounds feature internal roads safe for children cycling. "The kids could safely ride their bikes around the campground. There is a campground store by the beach," mentions Carolyn M. about White Lake State Park. Bringing bikes helps children explore larger campgrounds independently.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. "Plan accordingly and bring bug spray, citronella candles and smoky firewood—the bugs here are no joke. But if you come prepared you can get by with minimal bites," advises Angela T. Pack layers for cool evenings and rain gear even for short summer stays.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare for varied terrain at riverside sites. "The only level part of the site is away from the deck and water. My wife wanted to get the camper up close to the deck so our area under the awning was close to that, which meant I had a lot more leveling to do," explains Michael K. about Chocorua KOA. Bring extra leveling blocks for waterfront sites.
Height restrictions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating covered bridges. "To reach [Covered Bridge Campground] from the Kanc, you'll need to cross the covered bridge where there's a height restriction. If your rig is >7'9" you'll need to enter via Passaconaway Rd via West Side Rd in Conway," explains Jean C. Research alternative routes for larger RVs.
Hookup availability: For glamping close to North Conway, New Hampshire, luxury camping options with hookups vary by location. "The sites are pretty spacious and there were enough suitable trees to hang two hammocks. Bathrooms were nice and clean," shares Amanda about White Lake State Park, which offers electric hookups but no water or sewer connections at individual sites.