Sawyer Pond

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!

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.

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.