Mount Washington State Park RV & Campground Guide
New Hampshire
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Surrounded by the White Mountains of New Hampshire and home to the highest peak in the northeastern United States, Mount Washington State Park is an outdoor high-altitude haven with unsurpassed views. The park encompasses just over 60 acres at the top of the peak of Mount Washington itself. From the summit of Mount Washington on a clear day, you can see Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New York. The breathtaking scenic views alone are worth the trip to this state park, and the outdoor recreation is also excellent, with myriad challenging hiking and biking routes, snowshoeing opportunities, scenic drives, and more. Come during the fall to experience the magnificent colorful foliage in strikingly vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange.
Nearby Cities
Conway, NH
Littleton, NH
Berlin, NH
Jackson, NH
Spring 60-91 F
Summer 82-93 F
Fall 60-91 F
Winter 0-53 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Mount Washington State Park
Campground Accommodations
There are no campgrounds within Mount Washington State Park.
Twin Mountain - Mount Washington KOA
This award-winning campground is located in the heart of the White Mountains. You can find pull-through RV sites with full hookups at this location. There are even tent sites available for those who want to rough it in the wilderness. If you want to camp in luxury, Twin Mountain - Mount Washington KOA has cottages, lodges, and cabins for rent. This campground offers plenty of amenities, including a dog park, swimming pool, and a snack bar. The prices will vary depending on your vehicle size.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Fire ring, camping store, and picnic tables
Dolly Copp Campground
Dolly Copp Campground is an excellent place to reconnect with nature. Along the 3.5 miles of driving loops, you will find over 177 campsites at this location. While it is located in the middle of a national park, this campground is far from primitive. There are flush toilets, trailheads, and a historic log visitor center. Hookups are available, but there is a fee of $12 per day. The standard sites cost about $25 per vehicle.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes, at select sites
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Secluded location
Crawford Notch Campground
This family-owned campground is nestled in the heart of the White Mountains. If you want to park your RV near the majestic mountains and unspoiled wilderness, this is the perfect place for your next vacation. Crawford Notch Campground offers log cabins and campsites. For those who want to hike or bike, several trails wrap around this campsite. This relaxing spot is also close to all the local attractions in the area. The prices change throughout the year, but you can expect to spend around $40 per night.
Water hookup: Yes, at select sites
Electrical hookup: Yes, at select sites
Sewer hookup: Yes, at select sites
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: General store, laundry, and dishwashing station
What to Do at
Mount Washington State Park
Stop by the observation deck and the adjacent museum to learn more about this iconic New Hampshire landmark. You may also want to visit the historic Tip Top House, a stone structure that dates back to 1853. Restroom facilities and dining options are available at the summit, though some facilities are only open during the peak season.
Make your way to the top of the 6,288-foot summit by foot, drive the Auto Road, or experience the thrill of a train ride on the Cog Railway, which was completed in 1869.
Inside Mount Washington State Park
Mount Washington State Park is home to the Historic Tip Top House. This historic building, renovated in 1986, is the second stone house built on the summit. Today, you can visit this location and see the historic furnishings in the building. If you are looking for some recreational fun, Mount Washington State Park is filled with many opportunities. Hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are some of the most popular activities.
Fishing
Although there are no fishing spots within the state park itself, there are some excellent options nearby. Forest Lake State Park and Franconia Notch State Park are two nearby options where you can cast a line in hopes of a good catch.
Geocaching
While at Mount Washington State Park, you can enjoy a fun geocaching treasure hunt. There's usually at least one geocache hidden within the park, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of discovery within the natural beauty of New Hampshire.
Nature Watching
The 360-degree views from the summit of Mount Washington offer fantastic views of the White Mountain National Forest below. The landscape is particularly stunning in the autumn when the leaves change colors.
Stargazing
This state park is surrounded by nothing but forests for miles around, so the skies can be very dark, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. There's very little light pollution, but you should still allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 20 to 30 minutes to get the best views.
Flora and Fauna
You're most likely to see small mammals such as squirrels, pine martens, and chipmunks while you're out exploring the park, although visitors do occasionally spot porcupines and larger mammals such as black bears or moose. Bird watchers can keep an eye out for species such as Bicknell's thrushes. Mount Washington is home to a few endangered plant species that you may want to try to spot, including the Robbin's Cinquefoil, which is found only at the park and nowhere else on earth. Above the treeline in the alpine zone, look for alpine flowers such as diapensia, rosebay, and mountain avens. Trees at this altitude include stunted fir and spruce trees.
Hiking
With difficulty ratings from easy to challenging, there's something for every Mount Washington State Park hiker. Some of the more popular trails that offer the best views of the surrounding White Mountains include the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, the Lion Head Trail, and the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail.
Climbing
You can get some excellent bouldering in when you visit Mount Washington State Park. Head along the Glen Boulder Trail, and within a few miles, you'll find many boulders to challenge your puzzle-solving skills. Pinnacle Gully in the Huntington Ravine area is also popular with climbers for top-roping.
Biking
Many people choose the challenge of biking to the summit of Mount Washington on the Auto Road. You'll climb 7.6 miles with an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet if you accomplish this feat. This challenge is so popular that there is an annual race you can join in. For something a bit milder, the Crawford Path, Gulfside Trail, and the Great Gulf Trail are popular routes for mountain bikers.
How to Get to
Mount Washington State Park
From the nearby town of Berlin, NH, head south on State Highway 16 for just over 20 minutes until you see signs for the Mount Washington Auto Road. You'll turn right on this road and follow it as it winds up the mountain for about 30 minutes until you reach the park's entrance, which will be at the end of the road.
Entering Mount Washington State Park
Parking is available at the mountain's summit in front of the visitor center. The road to access Mount Washington State Park has a toll cost of $40 during the off-peak season in late fall and early spring or $45 during peak season for the vehicle and driver. There is an additional fee of $15 per passenger. Local companies offer transport shuttles if you don't want to drive your vehicle on this road. Taking the cog railway from the base of Auto Road is also one fun way to reach the observation area.
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Mount Washington State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Washington State Park
Fall is the best time to visit by far, as you'll have a fantastic view of the colorful fall foliage in the surrounding White Mountains National Forest. Although you can visit the summit area in winter, you will have to get there on foot because New Hampshire gets a lot of snow, and the park does not plow the road.
While exploring the park and the trails surrounding it, you may see white-tailed deer, raccoons, red foxes, and the occasional moose. Black bears live in the area, and you may spot cubs in the late spring. Wild ducks and geese make their homes in the surrounding forests at lower altitudes.
There are no overnight camping options in Mount Washington State Park. However, there are several campgrounds nearby.
While there are no overnight accommodations at this state park, if you plan to stay in a campground nearby during the spring, summer, or fall, it is recommended that you secure a spot ahead of time. It is a popular area for camping during these seasons.
Pets are welcome in the outdoor areas at Mount Washington State Park. However, they must be on a leash, and you are responsible for picking up after them.