Barnes Field Group Campground

- Dolly Copp Rd, Gorham, NH 03581

For New Hampshire residents looking to gather their entire extended family, scout troop, or hiking club for an unforgettable White Mountains experience, the Barnes Field Group Campground provides the perfect solution. Tucked away within the expansive White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) near the base of Mount Washington, this historic site is uniquely tailored for larger gatherings, offering generously sized campsites that truly set it apart from typical individual campgrounds. It is one of the few dedicated group camping facilities in the area, making it a highly valuable resource for local organizations and families seeking a shared adventure.

This facility, adjacent to the much larger Dolly Copp Campground, is organized on a field that was once farmed in the early 1900s, giving it a unique sense of history and an open, yet forested, feel. It successfully blends the rustic, essential services of WMNF camping with the necessary space and amenities required for a comfortable group stay. From accommodating a 75-person fishing camp to hosting multiple families splitting a single site, the feedback is consistent: Barnes Field offers tremendous value and space, acting as an exceptional launching point for all the recreational treasures of the northern White Mountains.

Whether you're planning a summer hiking blitz into the Presidential Range or seeking a quiet, first-come, first-served winter camping location, Barnes Field is a reliably spacious and well-maintained option for the discerning New Hampshire group organizer. Its convenience to major hiking trails and the nearby town of Gorham for resupply makes it a strategic choice for multi-day excursions.

Barnes Field Group Campground boasts a premier location approximately six miles south of the town of Gorham, New Hampshire, placing it directly at the foot of the magnificent Presidential Range. This prime positioning ensures excellent access to some of the most popular and challenging hikes in the entire Northeast, including trails leading into the Great Gulf Wilderness and towards the massive Mount Washington.

The campground’s physical address is on Dolly Copp Road, just off NH Route 16. This provides locals with a straightforward drive-in location, making it ideal for groups arriving in multiple vehicles, trailers, or even RVs, as many sites offer ample parking capacity.

Key Accessibility Points:

• The site is easily reachable via paved NH Route 16, which is a major artery through the White Mountains. Travelers turn onto Dolly Copp Road for the final short stretch to the campground.
• The location provides quick access—only about a five-minute drive—to the town of Gorham, which is vital for last-minute supplies, dining, and other conveniences.
• It serves as an immediate hub for the Presidential and Carter-Moriah Ranges. Major attractions like the Mount Washington Auto Road and the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center are also just a short scenic drive away.
• For New Hampshire winter enthusiasts, the campground is notable as one of the few WMNF facilities that remains open during the non-peak season, offering self-service, first-come, first-served camping, often utilized by winter hiking and cross-country skiing groups.

The core value of Barnes Field is its provision of basic yet highly functional amenities, specifically scaled for the needs of large groups and shared sites, promoting a traditional, rustic camping experience within the National Forest.

• Oversized Group Sites: The campground features 11 total sites, which are exceptionally large compared to standard WMNF campsites. Most sites are estimated to be 50’x50’ or larger, designed to comfortably hold 6+ people or two families sharing the space.
• Dedicated Site Furniture: Each campsite is well-equipped with at least two large wooden picnic tables to accommodate big parties and a robust, large fireplace with a fold-over grill top.
• Vault Toilets: The facility maintains two sets of double pit toilet buildings (four toilets total), located on opposite sides of the loop for convenient access. Camp keepers ensure they are kept clean and well-stocked with toilet paper. For those desiring flush toilets and showers, the adjacent Dolly Copp Campground is just a two-minute drive away.
• Hand Pump Water Station: A pump water station is available for filling up containers with cold, pure mountain water. While potable, guests often appreciate this rustic, hands-on method of gathering water. Note: Water availability may be limited during winter months due to freezing.
• Bear-Proof Storage and Waste: A bear-proof dumpster and bear/raccoon trash bin are centrally located to ensure proper storage of food and trash, a critical safety measure in bear country.
• Ample Parking: Each site provides plenty of parking space, easily accommodating 2+ vehicles, trailers, or RVs, which is essential for group gatherings.

Barnes Field stands out not just for its spaciousness, but for the quality of the camping environment and its proximity to world-class New Hampshire recreation.

• True Group Camping Focus: This is a group-specific facility, meaning the entire environment is centered around the needs of large parties, from the layout to the facilities provided. Sites are well-spaced and relatively private, avoiding the crowded feel of smaller loop campgrounds.
• Recreational Field: A small, open recreation field (approximately 100’x120’) is located near the entrance for the use of all campers, offering space for activities, games, or lessons, as noted by groups utilizing the space for fishing instruction.
• Proximity to Water Recreation: The campground is near the scenic Peabody River and various local creeks and rivers, offering excellent opportunities for fishing (brook trout are often found here) and river swimming.
• Minimal Light and Noise Pollution: The location, deep within the National Forest, ensures a very quiet camping experience with minimal road noise and exceptionally dark skies, allowing for "tons of stars at night."
• Access to Major Trailheads: The campground is a perfect staging area for high-elevation hiking, with fast access to trails leading to Mount Washington, Mount Madison, and the challenging northern Presidential Peaks.
• Year-Round Availability: As one of the few WMNF sites open in the winter, it serves a niche but important role for year-round New Hampshire adventurers, providing a base for cross-country skiing and winter hiking.

For reservations (required in peak season) and specific campground inquiries, New Hampshire locals should use the following contact details.

Address: Dolly Copp Rd, Gorham, NH 03581, USA

Information Phone: (603) 466-2713

Mobile Phone: +1 603-466-2713

Reservations: Reservations for the peak season (typically May to October) can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling their national service line, up to six months in advance.

Barnes Field Group Campground is an ideal and highly strategic camping choice for residents across New Hampshire, particularly those with a passion for group outings and high-mountain adventure. Unlike many smaller, individual sites, Barnes Field solves the logistical challenge of accommodating large groups—from scout troops to multi-generational family reunions—within a stunning National Forest setting.

Its direct and quick access to the famed Presidential Range trailheads means that locals serious about summiting Mount Washington or exploring the Great Gulf can minimize driving time and maximize hiking time. Furthermore, its proximity to Gorham ensures that a group is never too far from necessary resupply or emergency services, striking a perfect balance between deep wilderness immersion and essential convenience.

The rustic nature, highlighted by the hand pump water and vault toilets, maintains an authentic WMNF experience, while the large, well-equipped sites (featuring multiple picnic tables and spacious fire rings) facilitate comfortable group bonding and communal meals. For New Hampshire families and organizations that value shared adventure, minimal light pollution, quiet nights, and the sheer necessity of space, Barnes Field Group Campground is unequivocally the best-suited group basecamp in the White Mountains. It’s an essential part of the local outdoor infrastructure, highly recommended by those who’ve enjoyed its spacious and quiet setting.

Barnes Field Group Campground

Dolly Copp Rd, Gorham, NH 03581, USA