Forum Discussion

jujcm's avatar
jujcm
Explorer
Jul 23, 2014

New Hampshire White Mountains - Saco River Camping Area

Some friends and us are planning a trip in late August to the area of the White Mountains in NH, staying at the Saco River Camping Area in Conway, NH. We will be traveling from North Central, PA. Google Maps is indicating that the shortest and fastest way to go is up I-88 from Binghamton, NY area to the Albany/Troy, NY then across Vermont Route 7 and NH Route 9 to I-93. Routes 7 and 9 are definitely not interstate style highways and it has been years since I have traveled them. (I did a couple of times 20+ years ago in a car.) As I recall they are fairly crooked, mountainous roads, and I am a little concerned about traveling them pulling my 38 feet Fifth Wheel. Problem is if I map the trip via interstate highways only, it adds more than an hour and more than 100 miles to the trip.
There's just no easy way to get there from here! Has anybody out there made this trip in more recent years? Should I go that fastest shortest way on the secondary roads or should I avoid them and stick to the interstates? Further does anybody have any recent experience at Saco River Camping Area other than what I can find online?

We surely would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone with experience with this route or area might have.
Roads and Routes
  • Aadkins101's avatar
    Aadkins101
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    Unfortunately, I can't help with the route, but I can give you some advice about the Saco River Camp. We stayed there 3 years ago and when I reserved I thought it would be nice to have a site right beside the Saco River. WRONG! It was nice until it rained, and then it was a sea of mud! There are some lovely sites a bit back from the river - grassy, shady, and manageable during inclement weather. There's lots of traffic and wall to wall commercialism above the campground, but once in the campground it's relatively quiet and very nice. Mt. Washington is about an hour's drive away - a must if you are in the area, but take the train - driving up and down is terrifying unless you have a very small car. Travel safely.
  • Vet_Man's avatar
    Vet_Man
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    I have been to Saco River Campground several times. Quit going when they started forcing you to stay at least week. I would rate it about a 7 on a scale of 1-10. Try to get a river site. Campground is right in town.
    try rt. 84 East to the to rt 495 N then Rt 95 to rt 16. rt 16 goes right by the place, its on the left as you come into North Conway NH. Here in New England there are no real good roads that go East-West.

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