Crawford Notch Campground

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!

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.

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 place is fantastic. All the people working are friendly. The bathrooms were always clean.
Our kids had lots of fun playing in the Saco River, and there's a ton of things to do within half an hour's drive. Theres plenty of fishing spots and hiking trails. Multiple waterfalls near the campground, one with a swimming hole that's just a 5 min hike off the highway.
Great place, we will definitely be going again!

We stayed in a cabin and came for the hiking. Mt Washington and Arethusa Falls were incredible, but Mt Crawford's views stole the show.

We were very well cared for and intend to return. Staff was attentive to us and our son. This is a place we'll hold dear to our hearts and bring friends with us to share with them.

I’ve been camping here for years. This campground is always a great time. Beautiful campground, staff is professional and very kind. It’s a great spot to relax and disconnect for a few days. Thanks for the great week and I look forward to next season.

The staff was very friendly. Sonny and Damon were very hospitable to our 40 family and friends. The woman at front desk was also very nice.

This is our 12th year camping at Crawford Notch Campground. With the new owners this year by far was the most relaxing. There was "constant policing" with previous owner, which made it less relaxing.

We also love that there is no Wi-Fi or cell service. It makes spending time with everyone much more relaxing, and the kids have so much fun just being kids.

This was our third year camping here, and continue to be amazed by how beautiful it is along the river. Pictures don’t do it justice. We have spent entire days out on the “beaches” along the campground trails without seeing another soul.
We have always had polite and kind interactions with the staff. We particularly appreciate that it’s a family focused campground - no loud neighbors after 9pm or so, with the possible exception of Saturday nights, when they ride around at 10pm and make sure everyone is keeping it reasonable.
I do think the specific camp site makes or breaks the experience. The sites along the outside of the campground, or with “trail only” access offer the best privacy, while the river front sites trade some of the privacy for a fantastic view. The sites near the entrance (including the RV sites and cabins) are not our cup of tea - limited privacy and right on the busy road.
Note that there is zero cell service or restaurant for a half hour drive in either direction - but we view this as a feature. Plenty of hiking within a 5 minute drive.
Also, be aware that the location of the site means it always gets COLD at night even in the summer. It’s easily 10 degrees colder than the weather apps will tell you, and it doesn’t warm up in the shaded sites until 10-11am. This is fantastic for summer camping but had us running out for warmer sleeping bags our first year.

I love this place so much the beauty and nature attracts me to go there, my experience is always awesome. This time we stayed at site number-55 which is in depth of the river I will prefer the river sites most again and again the staff is good and friendly they are dealing in every situation; awesome feeling after coming back at home wanna go back again.. just planning to make a tour again with my kiddos..

This campground is fantastic! I can’t say enough good things about it. The staff is very friendly, and kind. The campground is very clean. The showers have plenty of hot water. Great place to relax and have fun. I can’t wait to go back.

I’m really confused as to how anyone could give this campground a negative review! We had an amazing stay at Crawford Notch Campground. Our site was really spacious and secluded. We felt we had plenty enough privacy and it was great for dog. We also didn’t realize the campground is on the Saco river where you can swim! There’s so many trails right from the campsite and around the area. The staff was very friendly and the general store has everything you could ever need while camping. We loved this place and cannot wait to go back next summer! We camp a lot and we think this place is amazing. Well worth the price. Thank you!

We stayed in a cabin for two nights, we had a great time! The cabin had a lot of privacy and the bathrooms were close which was a bonus. The staff was also friendly and helpful!

We stayed at Crawford Notch Campground for 3 nights earlier this month and had a great time! The general store at the campground entrance is large and well stocked. All of the staff members we talked to during our stay were friendly and helpful! This campground has a gated entrance (to which you are given a key card) which is locked between 10:30pm and 7am to cut down on people driving through the camp area in the middle of the night. It was pretty amazing how quiet the whole place was, especially at night! Most of the sites are catered to tent camping instead of RVs, which we love. The campground has one large bathhouse near the entrance, and chemical toilets throughout the rest of the grounds - all of which were very clean throughout our stay! The sites are generously sized and nicely spread out. We didn't get the time to explore the trails at the campground itself but this place is really nicely located within a short distance of a lot of attractions/food/excursions. My only advice is to grab firewood somewhere along the road instead of at the general store, otherwise you're looking at $10/bundle!

Loved this place! We did a family vacation with all our extended family and it was the perfect place to go. Cabins and yurts were lovely, new, and clean, with small accommodations considered that were above and beyond. Although the cabins were near the road, you could easily get a site that was very rustic and removed if you wanted to tent. We found the staff very friendly and helpful, along with the other campers, everyone minded their own business but were friendly and considerate. Great place for kids to ride bikes with a good level of freedom, and the landscape near the river bed was just gorgeous. Would definitely return!

Since the new owners took over some years ago, it's been a pleasure to visit this family run campground. The folks there are always so nice. We almost bailed because the previous owners were a nightmare, however, when the new ownership took over and created a pleasant atmosphere and a feeling like you were welcome, we were greatly relieved because the proximity of the campground to many of the trails we seek out is perfect. We camp here every year and always look forward to the experience.

This place is the best. Having the ability to camp with the Saco River basically in the "Front yard " of your site is a unreal.We were blown away with breathtaking views, how close we were to Crawford Notch state Park, Staff is so friendly, Camp store is nicely stocked, Clean and Hot,(pay for) showers. Lots to explore!
We had a fantastic time at this campground and plan on returning as soon as we can!

I was a little nervous when I knew we would be 10 minutes late for check in after reading the reviews. The check-in staff was phenomenal. Kind, courteous, and helpful. I was sooo relieved! We had a spot by the stream and highway. Yes, you can hear the highway, but that is the nature of the area. We went with three kids ages 11-17 and had fun exploring and fishing. The campground was clean and quiet during quiet hours, which I appreciated. I loved that people were able to bring their dogs and that they were all leashed and well behaved. Overall, a great experience!

This site was great. We got site #3 and it was huge. Plenty of space and flat. Close to the water and showers (didn't use showers though). The campground itself is just a few minutes away from Mt Willard trail and many others and an extremely beautiful spot in its own right.

Only thing I would warn about is that we bought wood from two separate roadside vendors just before entering the park and their wood was not properly dried and would not burn. Buy instead from the campground office as it is kiln dried and burned great!

Do not listen to the negative reviews! My family and i have been coming here for over 15 years! The bathrooms are clean, the sites are clean, and the management is fabulous! There is no reception for a few miles so it is a great chance to unplug and relax not to mention the sunsets are BREATHTAKING! We will continue to return again and again!! You should book early if you want a good site!! Don't spread the word tho, lets keep it as a hidden gem :)

We haven't camped here in a few years but when we have we really enjoyed our stay. The cabins were really nice, although a shower and toilet would be nice. Also the convenience of having a general store on site is great, especially for hot coffee in the morning. We have all good memories of the campground.