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By Mark Okrant

While many U.S. citizens enjoy camping, some of us mistakenly believe that we camp more and provide the best outdoors experiences on the planet. According to several studies, Americans are not at the top of the list of active campers worldwide. That honor goes to the Kiwis—residents of New Zealand—while other leading campers are the Australians, Germans, Dutch, Thais, Mongolians, and Arabs.

Based upon the Worldwide Camping Index, the United States ranks in a tie for fourth among destinations for providing camping experiences. Canada, with its potential for stargazing, outstanding natural scenery, as well as low risk factors, including pollution, is the clear number one. Our northern neighbor is followed by Finland and Brazil, while the threesome of Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. are tied for fourth position.

As reported in an earlier column, there are 116 private and 20 stateowned campgrounds in New Hampshire. Within the White Mountains Region, there are 32 private and four state-owned campgrounds. The Saco River Camping Area, a private campground situated at 1550 White Mountain Highway in North Conway, will be the subject of this column.

If ever a campground can be described as providing variety, it is the Saco River Camping Area (SRCA). Besides offering a range of camping and outdoor recreation options, the 50acre area has the advantage of being located in North Conway.

As its name implies, the Saco River Camping Area is situated along the banks of one of New Hampshire’s most popular recreation rivers. The source of the Saco River is Saco Lake within Crawford Notch, a glacial U-shaped valley in the White Mountains. From there, the river travels in a southeasterly direction, passing through the Conways, on its way through Maine to the Atlantic Ocean.

The campground offers a very wide range of recreation facilities, lodging options, and services. Campers of all ages have opportunities to let off some steam. Whether a camper’s preference is for competition or more solitary activity, the campground is well suited. Campers can choose to take advantage of the Saco, by renting a tube, kayak, or canoe. Others may prefer a wagon ride, or the solitude of a hike on one of the campground’s nature trails. For those slightly more adventurous, there is the option of renting a fun cycle, a low recumbent pedal vehicle requiring the use of one’s body to steer.

The campground provides spaces for competitive minded campers to display skills in basketball, bocce, horseshoes, shuffl eboard, volleyball, and wiffl e ball. For combat minded campers, Saco River Camping Area has a laser tag battlefi eld—an outdoor battle course where one can enter mock warfare with household members, other campers, or staff members.

If competing without working up a sweat is a camper’s cup of tea, a giant chessboard provides an available testing ground. Also, the Saco Gem Mining Station, a model of an old miners’ sluicing station, delivers opportunities for children and adults to do some panning, while they are being taught about gems and minerals found in the area.

With 25 categories of camping sites— 250 in total—the Saco River Camping Area can serve the needs of virtually every preference. The area accommodates everything from the largest RVs to personal tents, within settings ranging from riverfront to secluded. For those who choose not to travel with

• Camping

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