Sugarloaf Campground I, Carroll, NH

**Introduction / Overview: Your Traditional White Mountain Retreat**

For seasoned New Hampshire campers and families looking to introduce the next generation to the unspoiled beauty of the White Mountains, Sugarloaf Campground I is a beloved, essential destination. Nestled within the White Mountain National Forest in Carroll, this campground offers a quiet, remote getaway that focuses on the core joy of camping: a clean site, a crackling fire, and unparalleled access to the region’s natural wonders. Sugarloaf I is known for its rustic setting, providing the bare necessities that allow for a true escape from the digital and urban noise of everyday life. This is a place where sites are tucked into the woods, offering a valued sense of privacy and seclusion. For over a decade, many local families have made this their annual base camp for exploring the nearby peaks, rivers, and trails of the Jefferson and Twin Mountain area.

Sugarloaf I is not a resort; it is a traditional U.S. Forest Service site. It is clean, nicely kept, and perfectly positioned for adventure, making it an excellent choice for tent campers, pop-ups, and small trailers seeking a genuine, back-to-nature experience with the appreciated convenience of flush toilets.

**Location and Accessibility: Gateway to Zealand Valley Trails**

Sugarloaf Campground I boasts a fantastic location in the town of Carroll, New Hampshire, near the western side of the Presidential Range.

The official address is Carroll, NH 03583, USA, and the campground is specifically situated on Zealand Road. This location is paramount to its appeal:

Direct Trail Access: Zealand Road is the access point for multiple popular trailheads, making Sugarloaf I an exceptionally strategic base for hikers. It is a very short distance to trails that are great for novice hikers, families with young children, and those heading into the deeper wilderness. The Sugarloaf Mountain trail itself, known for spectacular views from Middle Sugarloaf, is easily accessible nearby.
Proximity to Twin Mountain: The campground is located approximately three miles east of the small town of Twin Mountain. This allows quick drives to a general store, gas stations, and restaurants for supplies and meals.
Major Attractions Nearby: The area is minutes away from iconic White Mountain attractions, including the Mount Washington Cog Railway and the resort amenities of Bretton Woods.
River Access: The facility sits along the banks of the Zealand River and is not far from the cold, cascading waters of the Ammonoosuc River, providing easy opportunities for fishing and cooling off.

While the campground is secluded in the forest, it’s only a short distance—about a half mile—off Route 302, ensuring relatively easy access from the main highway. Campsites are well-nestled into the wooded areas, ensuring that the tranquility of the forest immediately envelops you upon arrival.

**Services Offered: Essential Comforts for Rustic Camping**

Sugarloaf Campground I is defined by its focus on simplicity and functionality, offering basic, yet clean and well-maintained, amenities. There are no hookups for electricity, water, or sewer, reinforcing the commitment to a rustic experience.

Water Access: Clean, potable drinking water is available via water spigots and hand pumps throughout the campground loop, an essential service highly valued by campers.
Restrooms: A significant feature of Sugarloaf I is the availability of flush toilets, which are consistently reported by customers to be clean. However, please note that there are typically no sinks or dishwashing stations in the bathrooms, so campers should be prepared to use hand sanitizer and set up an efficient outdoor dishwashing routine at their site.
Campsite Structure: The campground offers 29 campsites, suitable for a mix of tents and small RVs or trailers (maximum length capacity is generally around 23 feet). Each site includes a spacious picnic table and a fire ring with a cooking grate.
Camp Host: The camp host, who oversees both Sugarloaf I and Sugarloaf II, is typically located at the Sugarloaf II facility. They are available to assist with questions and minor needs.
No Hookups: Emphasizing the bare-necessities camping style, there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at any of the campsites.
Waste: While there is no dump station for RVs, bear-proof dumpsters are available for trash disposal to keep the area clean and protect wildlife.

**Features / Highlights: Solitude and Superb Scenery**

What draws locals back to Sugarloaf Campground I year after year are its specific natural attributes and recreational proximity:

Superior Privacy: The campsites are generously sized, well-spaced around a single loop, and naturally separated by thick woods, offering campers a superior level of privacy and a quiet atmosphere compared to more densely packed campgrounds.
Middle Sugarloaf Trailhead: Located within walking distance, the trail to Middle Sugarloaf Mountain offers breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Presidential and Franconia ranges, a true highlight of the White Mountains.
Zealand Road Hiking: The proximity to Zealand Road opens up numerous opportunities for hiking and exploring, catering to both serious trekkers and families looking for easy, scenic walks along the Zealand River.
Riverside Charm: The campground sits near the Zealand River, and the nearby Ammonoosuc River provides excellent spots for fishing for brook trout and cooling off in the clear mountain water.
White Mountain National Forest Experience: Being in the heart of the WMNF means campers are surrounded by pristine forests, offering chances to observe northern wildlife, including moose and deer, and enjoy the clean mountain air.
Ideal Base Camp: Due to its central, secluded location, it serves as the perfect launchpad for day trips to all major White Mountain attractions, from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch.

**Contact Information**

For information regarding availability and reservations, the primary management for this U.S. Forest Service site can be reached through the main White Mountain National Forest contact lines. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to six months in advance.

Address: Carroll, NH 03583, USA (The campground is located on Zealand Road.)

Phone (Forest Service Information/Reservations): (603) 536-6100

**Conclusion: Why Sugarloaf Campground I is Suitable for Locals**

Sugarloaf Campground I is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it’s an integral part of the New Hampshire outdoor tradition. For locals, it represents an easily accessible, yet entirely authentic, slice of White Mountain life. We appreciate a campground that is "clean, quiet, and offers bare necessities," recognizing that the true luxury of New Hampshire is its untamed wilderness, not its amenities.

Its status as a great base camp for the entire Jefferson area makes planning multi-day adventures seamless. Whether you are aiming to summit a 4,000-footer, take the family on a gentle nature walk off Zealand Road, or spend a peaceful afternoon fishing on the Ammonoosuc River, this campground provides the perfect, low-key setting. The generous site spacing and wooded seclusion offer the solitude many Granite Staters seek, allowing for a true digital detox where the only required connection is to nature. For the New Hampshire resident, Sugarloaf Campground I is the ideal, no-frills launchpad for making new hiking memories and revisiting cherished family traditions year after year.