Last winter we were looking for a cheap place to stay and we finally camped a few times at Barnes fields (for coffee, I suggest Starbuck VIA
). It is even cheaper than Hancock and more accessible than 4th Iron (walk-in).
Good suggestions!
Barnes Field is part of the Dolly Copp system near Pinkham Notch on Routes 16 (& 2, kinda).
Hancock Campground is at the Lincoln end of the Kancamagus Highway and, like its Blackberry counterpart on the eastern end, stays open and plowed in the winter. About as bare-bones as it can be, but you've got someplace to put your vehicle, a toilet, and a place to build a fire if you want. If you're staying there with snow on the ground, you can ski directly to Lincoln Woods from your campsite for an after-dinner constitutional. If you pay by check, you can prove its your money in the till when they come to inspect (yes, this happened, I had switched sites, having used a check kept the conversation pleasant).
4th Iron Campground is in Crawford Notch on Route 302 and, like many campgrounds, will tolerate walk-in traffic after the seasonal close, but is often unplowed (at least the times I've been by). It gives good access to the Willey/Webster stretch. I've walked in to the nearby Dry River Campground after its close but before significant snow (again, called first, no problem, maybe things have changed). If you must park outside a locked gate, I suggest seeing to it in a very binary way that your vehicle is all the way off the road. Not blocking the entrance itself is also good etiquette. Snow shovel, battery booster, extra cold-weather gear, cooler (for reverse insulation), winter tires, webbing for pulling a vehicle (and/or other people to push), all have proved helpful.
Patches Market near the intersection of routes 16 & 302 in Glen has early breakfast. It's on the south side of route 302 just west of the Ellis River. You can gas up there too. Call first to check for hours.
There's an Irving gas station just west of Fabyan's Station at the top of Crawford Notch.
Please report on how it goes!
