North Conway is a popular New Hampshire destination for mountain hikers, canoeists, skiers, winter mountaineers, outlet shoppers, leaf-peekers, restaurant diners and campers of all types. Since winters in this White Mountain resort town can be bitterly cold, camping in the Mt. Washington Valley is a three-season activity at best. However, autumn may be one of the best times to enjoy the area, for the fall color in the foothills of the mountains is memorably intense.
Roadside Campgrounds Near Town
The car camper or RV traveler can easily enjoy the mountain landscape, just as well as the overnight backpacker. In fact, there are a couple of sites within or near the town limits that provide tent sites or hookups for RVs. Amenities include hot showers, indoor plumbing, canoe rentals and sometimes TV and Internet connections. The season for these campgrounds is rather short, running from around Memorial Day until the leaves turn in early October. North Conway is located on Highway 302 about one and a half hours west of Portland, Maine and two and a half hours north of Boston.
The Huts
If you enjoy trekking through the rugged mountains of northern New England, then try hut system run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Spread out along the crest of the White Mountains, the eight mountain huts provide meals and bedding for high altitude hikers. All you need to do is tote a rucksack full of clothes and rain gear across the 5,000-foot mountains. Leave the tent, sleeping gear, cookware and freeze-dried food at home. The huts are open from June through October and reservations and advance payment are a must.
The Backcountry
North Conway is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, which provides many miles of maintained trails that can provide the hearty backpacker with an enthralling wilderness experience. This type of camping involves carting everything (tent, sleeping bag, food, cook stove) on your back, so you may not want to go trucking up steep mountain trails. Instead, you can sleep in a lean-to in the Great Gulf Wilderness Area or set up a tent near Zealand Pond along the Appalachian Trail. No permit is needed for wilderness camping, but a gas cooking stove is advised.
National Forest Campgrounds
For a more rustic campground experience that saves you money on the price of a campground, try one of the national forest campgrounds, which are located along the Kancamagus Highway (NH 113) a little southwest of North Conway. There are no showers or hot water, but the Swift River runs nearby and is a refreshing swimming experience on a hot summer day. All total five campgrounds are located along the scenic drive through the wilderness. Wild blueberries are plentiful in late summer.
On the Saco
North Conway is only 500 feet above sea level, so the Saco River that passes right through town has a gentle eastward, descent to the Atlantic Ocean. Rapids are few, but you still might want to hire an outfitter or join an overnight canoe trip on this watery path through the North Woods. Several can be found between North Conway and nearby Fryeburg, Maine. Experienced canoeists can bring their own canoes.
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