Fourth Iron Campground

One of my all time favorite easy access state grounds.

A nice, clean, campground. Odd layout in that you have to walk through campsites to access campsites, and the latrine. The latrine door doesn't lock. Be careful with food. There are black bears. The only running water is the river.

I went there midday to photograph the bridge. There is a free car park within 25 meters. I really wanted a train travelling over the bridge, so I emailed the Conway Scenic Railroad Ticket Office and they actually responded. ("Our Sawyer River Train and Mountaineer Train pass over the Fourth Iron Bridge. The Sawyer River Train departs daily at 12:30 pm and the Mountaineer Train departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:45 am. The train tends to get to the 4th Iron Bridge about 50-55 minutes after it departs.") So I got the shot I wanted. By the way there is a campground nearby and most people who go there go swimming nearby in the river.

.3 mile walk to campsites. Picnic tables and fire pits available. Bear vaults to store food. Camping and dipping into the river. Unclear pricing or payment system as of 5/14/2025.

Not really family-friendly. You have to hike 6-7 minutes in on rough terrain carrying all your stuff, including water. Anything with wheels will fail you. The only facility is an stinky outhouse with sandpaper for tp. Not much of a beach, just a rocky steep shoreline. Use the bear vaults. Bears can wander into campsites here, definitely had a visitor when we went. So if that thought makes you uneasy, then definitely not ideal for families or first-timers.