Sawyer Pond, near Conway, New Hampshire, is a fantastic spot for those looking to dip their toes into backpacking or just enjoy a peaceful night by the water. With a short hike-in to the campsites, you’ll find a mix of tent platforms and a lean-to, all nestled right by the stunning pond.

The area is known for its beautiful views and serene atmosphere, making it a favorite among campers. Each site comes with a fire ring, perfect for roasting marshmallows or sharing stories under the stars. Just a heads up, firewood can be scarce, so be prepared to forage a bit. As one visitor noted, “The stars were AMAZING,” and it’s easy to see why—this place offers some breathtaking night skies.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the hiking trails around Sawyer Pond are family-friendly and provide easy access to the surrounding wilderness. The pond itself is great for a quick dip or some ice fishing in the winter months. Just remember to treat any water you collect from the stream or pond before drinking.

While the sites can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, the peaceful vibe and natural beauty make it worth the effort to arrive early. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just starting out, Sawyer Pond offers a lovely escape into nature.

Sawyer Pond

Looking for the best campgrounds near Bartlett, NH? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Bartlett. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Bartlett

The Best Camping Near Bartlett, New Hampshire

Easy hike to the pond and sites. All the sites have a view of Sawyer Pond. Peaceful and relaxing. Only a handful of sites so get there early on weekends. I camped on on Tuesday night so all but one site were available when I arrived.

Beautiful Backcountry sites with water views

Ater a hike in, you can get a great Riverside site.

Hike in, isolated

Pprobably one of my favorite nights out, stayed in the open air shelter. No one else was there. Waist deep snow made hike in a little more difficult, post holing every 5th step. Cant beat the view from shelter over Sawyer pond

Decent hike in, very quiet, tent platforms

I camped here last year and stayed at the lean to with my dog. The pond is gorgeous and the stars were AMAZING. You do have to forage for firewood, which can be rough, but there’s a fire pit right in front of the lean to. I’ve never seen stars like I did here, all around the pond. They took my breath away! The tent sites are nice and they are private but across the trail from the pond so no view directly from your tent. 

Beautiful!

I visited this campsite on a Sunday night in September with my dog and it was lovely.  I passed a few day hikers but was the only person camping, however I did speak to a family that was hiking down who said that the campground was completely full the night before (Saturday night).  The trail head is located at the end of a 9 mile road and there are several spots for parking- note: there is no cell service once you get on this road. The hike from the parking lot to the campsite was 1.5 miles and pretty easy. It is mostly flat with a few minor hills (I saw children and elderly folks easily using this trail). The camping area had 6 sites, 2 toilets, and 1 lean-to. There is a platform to pitch a tent (or 2) on and a fire pit with a grill attachment at each campsite. The sites are pretty close to one another but I was alone so I had privacy. The lake is just steps away from the camping sites and is absolutely beautiful. I would stay here again! 

  

One thing to note: there was very little available firewood near the campsites.

Short Backpacking Hike

Sawyer Pond was my introduction to backpacking more than 40 years ago. We approached it from the Kancamagus side, which necessitates a crossing of the Swift River early in the hike and may be dangerous if the river is high. The easier access is from the Sawyer River Rd, though until the road opens after mud season, it will be a longer hike. Check the White Mountain National Forest website for information about road openings in the spring and fall. Either approach, but particularly the one from Sawyer River Rd, is family friendly. It's easy access means it can also attract weekend partiers. 

  

This is open year round and each season offers something different. It's a nice snowshoe hike in winter. I've ice-fished on the pond. Sites are first-come, first-serve with a tent platform and fire pit. Plan to hang your food due to bears. No cell service. Autumn colors across the pond are pretty.

Easy hike to a pondside campground with a lean-to or tent sites

This is a great beginner backpacking trip, great even for kids! The site has one shelter and 6 campsites available on the bank of Sawyer Pond. You can reach the backcountry campsites via a 1.5 mile walk from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off of NH highway 302, or in 4.5 miles from the Sawyer Pond Trail Head off 112(the Kancamangus Highway). We went in from 112 and came out the shorter trail on our last morning. 

  

Sites have platforms large enough to accommodate two free standing 2-4 person tents, depending on size and style. Each site also has a fire ring and there is plenty of dead and downed wood to have a nice(responsibly small) campfire without cutting down standing trees. There is a lot of damage in the surrounding area where folx have cut down trees to have fires. Sites are a little close together but the shelter is set off a good distance from the tent sites. 

  

There is one bear hang located just in front of sites 3 and 4 that is large enough to accommodate food from multiple groups. You will need rope to hang your food, however a cable is provided. There are several raised smoldering toilets(3 listed on the area map, I only ventured to one of the). These are nicely constructed but it was evident that the site had been heavily used over the summer, as the toilet was quite full. 

  

Water can be sourced from a small stream that flows from Sawyer Pond to Little Sawyer Pond adjacent to site 1. Be sure to treat all water taken from the pond/stream prior to consuming. The water in the pond is very warm, perhaps warmer than it should be. 

  

The camping area has a number of established social trails and users should be aware of walking through other sites. Each site has a list of regulations and associated fines posted on the site number. Please follow the U.S. Forest Service rules and regulations to preserve this site from being used to death. It really is a beautiful spot and easily accessible, thus protecting and preserving it for others is even more difficult so please do your part and encourage others around you to do the same. 

  

Due to the site’s popularity, plan accordingly. Have a back-up plan for an alternate camping location(beyond the posted Forest Protection Area). We witnessed several parties, many with young children, arriving late to find that all the sites were occupied. Do yourself a favor and arrive early!

Photos of Sawyer Pond

Real photos from real campers