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White Mountains, NH

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Fransted Campground
Box 155
Franconia, NH 03580
(603) 823-5675

We first camped at Fransted in the late '60s with our Sears' Ted Williams popup. At that time looking toward the south, one could see Cannon Mountain in the distance. A neighbor who was not overly fond of having a campground next to her property, planted a line of pines. She has since passed on but her trees now completely block the view of Cannon Mountain from the campground. Fransted's RV sites are in a large, fairly open field with some trees. If you have a tent or don't need hookups, there are a number of really nice sites in the pines or along the brook to the rear of the campground. Rates are reasonable. This is also one of a number of campgrounds that have "book swap" - great when there is a rainy day or two that doesn't lend itself to biking and/or sightseeing. The campground changed ownership this year (2000). Prior to this, it was owned and operated by Fran and Ted Hultgren since 1961.





Behind the row of pines in this and the preceding photo is Cannon Mountain.	These two campers (my neighbors) are also avid cyclists. The gentleman wearing the cap with the red bike used to lead biking tours for children, up to 75 miles per day. His wife currently runs a camp for youngsters. Dad thinks nothing of taking off from the campground and heading up three-mile hill (a notoriously steep, long incline) toward the Franconia Notch area. Son and dad said that returning down the hill, they have clocked 42 MPH on their bikes. Dad summers here at Fransted Campground and spends part of the winter at his other trailer at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, biking the hard-packed sand along the shores of the Atlantic.

Cannon Mountain RV Park
Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia, NH 03580
Phone: (603) 823-8800 - Columbus Day to mid-May
Fax: (603) 823-8088
Reservations / Information: (603) 271-3628 - mid-May through Columbus Day
e-mail: http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us

The 7-site RV park (no tent sites), located on the north shore of scenic Echo Lake (access off Route 18) in Franconia Notch State Park, is open year-round. It provides a great base from which to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and the many attractions of the White Mountains, including The Flume and Cannon Mountain aerial tramway, which are both located within the park. In addition, many enjoy the convenience of winter RV camping at the base of popular Cannon Mountain Ski Area. Although there are three-way hook-ups provided during the regular camping season, there is no water or sewer, including dump station, available from mid-October through May 1. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Campers with reservations may move onto their sites upon arrival. Campers without reservations may move onto sites not designated as reserved. Check the rear of the booth as you pull into the parking area to see what or if campsites are available. A day use fee of $2.50 is charged for general parking for access to hiking trails (Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff), Echo Lake swimming and picnicking, and access to the bike path which is just a few yards from the parking area. If you just plan to do the bike path and are not camping here, take a right on Route 3 to the next exit, which is the Cannon Tramway and Ski Museum. There is ample parking here, at least during the weekday morning or late afternoon hours.

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There are many other campgrounds in the area - both public and private. Lafayette campground (state park) is located right along the bike path. Pets are not permitted.