Going car camping this weekend.. will be equidistant from these state parks in NH. I'm looking at a few different sites to get an idea of waterfalls available and other spots for shots. Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like Franconia is the "touristy" park that everyone seems to know about and go to; however, Crawford seems to be the one with the better "goods".

Anyone have any experience in these parks? I've found a thread on here about hiking in Franconia, but other than that I've been unable to find any good guides that just say, "Trust me, go here."

Thanks in advance.

there both quite close to each other... for being in "the north country" so i don't think it would really matter.

edit.

yeah, what i said above doesnt help you at all now does it?

never stayed at either. ive been in "Dolly Copp" campground and it seemed fairly decent, but i never stayed there overnight.

Originally Posted by Blazin

Going car camping this weekend.. will be equidistant from these state parks in NH. I'm looking at a few different sites to get an idea of waterfalls available and other spots for shots. Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like Franconia is the "touristy" park that everyone seems to know about and go to; however, Crawford seems to be the one with the better "goods".

Anyone have any experience in these parks? I've found a thread on here about hiking in Franconia, but other than that I've been unable to find any good guides that just say, "Trust me, go here."

Thanks in advance.

Which waterfall websites?

I know of a few.

-Andy

Here is an idea:

http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/...Waters%20Trail

http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/...me-Pool%20Loop

-Andy

Thanks for the input Andy, I'm thinking about doing the Ripley & Arethusa Falls trail in Crawford.. looks to be a total of 3-4 mi, more than enough hiking, and the Scenic Conway Rail goes through Crawford Notch right near this trail head, so I may be in luck to get some cool shots there.

I can find lots of info about Franconia notch I just have a feeling it will be overloaded with people if it's nice out.

yeah, any campground is gonna be crowded on the weekends in the whites.

my mom tells me when she was a kid they would go out and get a campsite thursday night, then her dad would go to work from there just so they would have a camp site for the weekend... obviously this wouldnt work if the campsite prebooks.

Follow up:

Crawford Notch -

Ripley Falls trail -- Some people on it.. nothing crazy.. maybe a total of 15 people including those gathered at the falls?

Arethusa Falls trail/Bemis Brook trail -- Dead.. nobody, nothing.. Mind you this is about a 60 min one way hike, and we went later in the day after doing the ripley falls trail and shooting.. so the trail head wouldn't be crowded.. duh but still.. nobody was coming back at us either.. and we spent a good hour+ at Bemis falls shooting..

If you want to get some great nature shots and like hiking.. Crawford works.. I have nothing to compare it to (never been to franconia) but from what I've heard I was surprised to have so much time to myself on BOTH of these trails.

I also thought I got tons of great shots for the minimal effort.. just be smart and if you're out of shape.. take it slow and pace yourself.. you're hiking uphill to start and you have a heavy pack of camera gear on your back..