U.S. Forest Service · White Mountain National Forest · New Hampshire

Barnes Field Campground

Located 6 miles south of Gorham, New Hampshire, at the base of New England's tallest peak, the historic Barnes Field Campground provides a scenic and private space for organizations, families and others to gather. The campground is one of a few in the area that remains open in winter, providing first-come, first-served winter camping for individuals or groups. It is adjacent to Dolly Copp Campground. Lush forests, spectacular mountain views and convenience to outdoor recreation and scenic driving draw visitors to Barnes Field, which also provides access to some of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains.

Partly reservable11 sites40 ft maxNo hookupsPets ok

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in New Hampshire · reservable in New Hampshire · big rigs in New Hampshire · pets allowed in New Hampshire · group sites in New Hampshire

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Peabody River by Barnes FieldWhite MountainsWhite Mountains 2
Photos courtesy of KP / Vista · Recreation.gov
2fires
active
Bradley Brook Rx (prescribed burn) · 13 mi away · 1 acres
1 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Site mix

Group sites7
Group tent areas4
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehicles
001Group tentBack-inGravelFull8 / 2
002GroupBack-in40Gravel30 / 6
003GroupBack-in40Gravel30 / 6
004GroupBack-in40Gravel40 / 7
005GroupBack-in40Gravel30 / 6
006GroupBack-in40Gravel30 / 6
007Group tentBack-inGravelFull8 / 2
008Group tentBack-inGravelFull8 / 3
009Group tentBack-inGravelFull10 / 3
010GroupBack-in40Gravel40 / 4

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed

The campground is organized in a single loop on a field that was farmed in the early 1900s. It features large, open sites designed for larger than normal camping parties and large organized groups. Both standard and tent-only sites are available. The facility provides water and restrooms; Dolly Copp Campground has additional amenities. Winter camping is first-come, first-served for camping parties of any size. Individuals camping in winter may need to share these large sites.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

ForestWhite Mountain National Forest
BookingReserve sites online through recreation.gov from mid-May to mid-October. First-come, first-served self service basis during the winter months.
FeesGroup Site (1-10 People) Per group / per night $50.00. Group Site (11-20 People) Per group / per night $61.00. Group Site (21-30 People) Per group / per night $72.00. Group Site (31-40 People) Per group / per night $83.00. Group Site (41-50 People) Per group / per night $94.00.

White Mountain National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Barnes Field Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 3.14 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.53 inches of precipitationMarch: 2.86 inches of precipitationApril: 3.45 inches of precipitationMay: 3.61 inches of precipitationJune: 4.22 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.21 inches of precipitationAugust: 4.02 inches of precipitationSeptember: 3.52 inches of precipitationOctober: 4.92 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.52 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.27 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 16.5°F averageFebruary: 18.9°F averageMarch: 27.5°F averageApril: 40.8°F averageMay: 54.1°F averageJune: 61.9°F averageJuly: 66.8°F averageAugust: 64.7°F averageSeptember: 57.2°F averageOctober: 45.6°F averageNovember: 34.5°F averageDecember: 23.5°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Gorham AP, 4 miles from the campground at 800 feet, station USC00273488 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 43 inches a year.

Getting there

From Gorham, New Hampshire: Take Highway 16 south for approximately 5 miles to Dolly Copp Road. Turn right and travel approximately 1 mile to the campground. Follow signs. From North Conway, New Hampshire: Take Highway 302 to Glen. Turn right onto State Route 16 north and follow for about 22 miles.

Coordinates44.3389° N, 71.2186° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Bradley Brook Rx

    13 mi from the campground · 1 acres

  • Prescribed
    South Jackman Rx

    36 mi from the campground · 39 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearRagged Mountain Equipment ↗17.3 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗26.1 mi
RV sales & serviceCall of the Wild RV Center ↗38.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

CampgroundViews.com - Barnes Field Group Campground Gorham New Hampshire NH

Worth a stop

Numerous hiking trails, mountain biking trails and rock climbing routes are within a short drive of the campground. The nearby towns of North Conway, Jackson and Gorham provide shops, restaurants, supplies and other conveniences. In summer, confident campers can try the drive up the steep Mount Washington Auto Road to catch a view from the Northeast's highest peak. Guided tours are also available. The Cog Railway ascends the other side of the mountain, and is about an hour drive from Dolly Copp. The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.2 mi
    Hayes Copp XC
    1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 0.9 mi
    Daniel Webster-Scout
    3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1 mi
    Great Gulf Link
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ski
  • 1.1 mi
    Great Gulf Link XC
    1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 1.1 mi
    Imp ↗
    6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1.2 mi
    Pine Mountain Snomo
    1.2 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike, snowmobile and 2 more

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside White Mountain National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Barnes Field is situated in a mixed hardwood, spruce and pine forest at the base of 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River. The Peabody River and Culhane Brook pass by the facility as well. The national forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the White Mountains. Summer temperatures are often very pleasant; however mountain weather can change drastically, putting visitors at risk for exposure to cold, rain and snow even during summer. Winters bring bitter cold and severe weather. Campers should come prepared.

Recreation

The campground is a popular spot for groups to camp, picnic and hike. It is a hub for hikes into the Presidential and Carter-Moriah Ranges. The Daniel Webster Scout Trail leaves from the southern end of Dolly Copp Campground into the Great Gulf Wilderness on the northeast side of Mount Washington. Many more miles of trails can be accessed within a short drive. Within the facility, anglers can try their luck for brook trout in the creek and river. Families can learn more through educational programs presented at Dolly Copp on weekends in July and August. The end of the camping season may also offer great opportunities for viewing fall foliage, and winter brings much fun for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice climbing enthusiasts.

Guidebooks for New Hampshire

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • New Hampshire
    Larry Pletcher and Greg Westrich, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Climbing New Hampshire's 48 4,000 Footers
    Eli Burakian, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Appalachian Trail Guide to New Hampshire-Vermont
    Cynthia Taylor-Miller, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Barnes Field Campground?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Barnes Field Campground?

Group Site (1-10 People) Per group / per night $50.00. Group Site (11-20 People) Per group / per night $61.00. Group Site (21-30 People) Per group / per night $72.00.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Barnes Field Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Barnes Field Campground have?

11 sites, including 7 group sites and 4 group tent areas.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Barnes Field Campground?

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Barnes Field Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Barnes Field Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Barnes Field Campground?

The campground is a popular spot for groups to camp, picnic and hike. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What if Barnes Field Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Dolly Copp (0.4 mi), Wild River Campground (8 mi, first-come), and Basin Campground (10.9 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby