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Crawford Notch Campground is a family-owned and operated campground nestled in the heart of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Scenic Crawford Notch is well known for its awe-inspiring views, majestic mountains, unspoiled wilderness, and miles of hiking trails. Our wooded setting along the banks of the Saco River features secluded campsites and log cabins.
1138 US Route 302
Hart's Location, NH 03812-4226
NOTE: GPS does NOT work in the Mountain Pass where we are located.
Approaching from South:
I-93 North through Franconia Notch to Exit 35: Route 3 North to Twin Mountain.
Stay on Rt. 3 to the traffic light in Twin Mountain. Take a right onto Rt. 302 East,15 miles on left.
OR
I-93 North to the Kancamagus Highway (112) in Lincoln. Go east on 112. Take Bear Notch Rd. to Bartlett.
Turn left onto Rt. 302, 7 miles on right.
I-91 North to Exit 17: Route 302 (Woodsville, NH). Stay on Route 302 all the way to campground.
On left, about 15 miles east of Twin Mountain.
Route 16/ 302 Take Route 16 North through North Conway. 16 will turn right in Glen and 302 continues straight.
Stay on 302 for 14 miles. Campground on the right.
Approaching from North:
I-91 South to I-93 South at St. Johnsbury, VT. Take I-93 Exit 40: Route 302 East towards Bethlehem.
Stay on Route 302 to campground (about 15 miles east of Twin Mountain).
Please Note: If making a reservation within 14 days of your stay, please call the office at 603-374-2779
I couldn’t write a negative review for Crawford Notch Campground if I tried - I’m in love, and I can’t stay away! I’ve stayed at this campground several times throughout the years, and it’s been worth it every time. We usually rent a tent site along the river, which is breathtaking and the sites are very well-maintained, private, and perfect for bare-bones camping. Most recently, we went with a one-room cabin, and it was a great experience.
The cabin was equipped with a double (full) bed and one set of bunk beds, which have thin vinyl covered mattresses. We brought our own foam mattress topper & our own linens, and slept comfortably.
There is also a small counter with stools - perfect to sit and snack when the weather is unfavorable. It had a mini refrigerator, a trash bin, and a small space heater which we did not need in July.
The cabin itself was very clean, dusted, and surprisingly airy with the windows cracked open.
The porch rocking chairs were awesome to have, so that we could sit outside, sip coffee, and read, even in the rain.
The dumpsters and bathrooms were nearby, but there was no noticeable smell.
The community bathrooms and showers were very clean, stocked, and the (coin-op) showers got very hot - which was GREAT after a long day of hiking. Even the portable toilets around the camp, which I always expect to be a nightmare, were very well-maintained.
We had a revolving cast of neighbors, all of which were quiet and courteous of surrounding campers. Even larger groups had quieted down past 10pm.
The staff (who I believe are more recent owners) were friendly and helpful, and seemed to be eager to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for their guests.
The campground itself is nearby to many beautiful hikes and sights, and about 20 minutes away from North Conway’s shops, restaurants, and amenities.
This is my go-to camp spot, and I can’t wait to return!
Frustrating Experience at Crawford Notch State Park
My recent camping trip to Crawford Notch State Park was a weekend filled with frustration and disbelief. I had eagerly booked a spot, looking forward to a peaceful camping experience, only to have it marred by an unexpected tropical storm that left us drenched throughout the entire weekend.
What shocked me the most was when I reached out to the park authorities, hoping for some understanding given the extraordinary circumstances, only to be told that I couldn't get a refund because I was past the 30-day notice period. I couldn't help but wonder, do I really need to provide 30 days' notice to cancel, even when facing a literal tropical storm?
Adding to the disappointment were the trails at the campsites, some of which led to dead ends in the middle of the woods or into private property. It left us feeling like there was a lack of proper maintenance and care for the campers.
In the end, my camping experience at Crawford Notch State Park was far from the outdoor adventure I had anticipated. The frustrating refund policy and poorly maintained trails left me with a lasting impression of disappointment. Careful when booking….
Wonderful Location and great service!
We were able to book a campsite last minute (about a month out) for Labor Day weekend. I was somewhat apprehensive reading past reviews. Most said the campground itself was great but the customer service was lacking. I whole-heartedly disagree! We had a wonderful customer service experience and the campground is one of my new favorites. The campground is situated right on the Saco River and has its own swimming "beach" that all campsites have access to. Some sites are river front which is beautiful but you're definitely less secluded with those ones. We booked sites 73 & 74. Site 73 was perfect, enough room for a 4 person tent and a couple hammocks with plenty of room left over for the kids to run & play. You could easily fit a much larger tent and/or multiple tents on this site. Site 74 was much tighter but still fit a 6 person tent, although the fire pit was situated close enough to the woods that you could only sit around 3/4 of it. We very much enjoyed our stay and will absolutely be returning next year!
Pros:
- many sites are secluded and/or have decent tree cover between your neighbors or the road
- River Access
- Clean Facilities
- Great customer service. The woman at the front desk even googled some info about one of the local trails for me since there's no cell service.
- No cell service for 10 minutes in either direction! (although I suppose this could be considered a "con" for some)
Cons:
- 1 Bath house for the entire campground (which is quite large) and it's located towards the front near the general store. It was enough of a walk that I would choose to drive from where we were situated
- Some sites are very exposed, such as those along the trail to get river access or those at the front of the campground which is close to the road
- Items at the general store are quite expensive. Nearest place to shop is 15 minutes away so you're definitely paying for convenience if you need to purchase something from there.
This was my 8th year staying here with my boyfriend. We love this campground. We didn’t realize until we arrived that there were new owners this year. They were very friendly and welcoming. The campground was kept up very nicely. Previous years there were large craters in the driving paths which made it a very bumpy ride to get to and from your campsites. This year the driving trails were all maintained and fairly even. The sites were kept up very nicely, no trash left behind. We stayed 3 nights and each time surrounding campers were checking out the staff would arrive within the half hour to leaf blow the campsite and make sure it was up to par for the next campers. We had a river site which, personally is my favorite. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. The views are wonderful and having the River in your back yard is a plus. Bathrooms/bath house are kept up well. Only downfall was the big trash dumpsters near the front were rather full. People stopped opening the sides and just placing trash on the outside of the dumpster. My boyfriend and I removed the bear guards from the top and was able to slide the trash in no problem. Wood was also a tad pricey this year but you pay for convenience. We will be returning next year for sure.
I liked the tent sites. Good location with nice views.
I checked in later and the day. The office had closed early and it took me 1/2 hour of waiting to realize they left a gate card in a box to right of the door. Also they should have mentioned to bring quarters for the showers. Other than that it was a nice place to stay.
